Standard Loft

• The truth with pitching wedges and golf clubs in general, is that manufacturers have the freedom to make the clubs whatever loft they please. Since the set of clubs is a progression, the lofts just need to be consistently relative to one another. However, modern day pitching wedges are typically about 45 degrees in loft. You may find that older pitching wedges have a slightly higher degree loft, as "standards" have changed over the years.
  
  

History

• The increase in popularity of golf has propelled manufacturers into an arms race of golf club technology. As a result, manufacturers have gradually lowered the angle of the pitching wedge, in an attempt to fool consumers into thinking their clubs hit longer than previous versions. In truth, the clubs do hit the ball longer, but it comes as a result of lowering the loft. For example, around 1965 the typical pitching wedge measured close to 50 degrees in loft. In 2010, the typical pitching wedge measures about 45 degrees in loft.
  
  

Loft Range

• Despite the gradual flattening of the pitching wedge loft, the sand wedge has remained approximately 55 degrees. What this means is there is a larger range of distance in between the pitching wedge capabilities and the sand wedge capabilities. To account for this gap, golf club makers developed the gap wedge, thus filling the void left by the evolving pitching wedge.
  
  

Pitching Wedge Distances

• Pinpointing an exact distance of a golf club is nearly impossible. If the same golfer hit 10 golf balls with the same club, the odds that even two golf balls would end up in the same location are incredibly slim. However, it is possible to make an estimation based upon average performance. In general, the average male golfer hits a pitching wedge around 105 to 115 yards. Female golfers typically hit a pitching wedge around 95 yards. Tour players on the other hand, might hit a pitching wedge from 130 yards or even further. The distance a wedge shot travels is based on a combination of shaft length, loft, swing speed and ball-striking accuracy.
  
  

Utility of a Pitching Wedge

• Relative to other wedges, the pitching wedge has a lower degree of loft. This means that a shot will travel with a lower trajectory, causing less backspin and more roll. Factoring these shot qualities into an approach, golfers frequently use pitching wedges to attempt pitch and run shots, chip shots, or when aiming for the front of the green in hopes that the ball rolls toward the hole. This strategy counters the typical loft shot in which the golfer attempts to land the ball as close to the hole as possible with minimal forward bounce. A pitching wedge may come in handy in situations with swirling winds or tree obstructions, where a low-trajectory shot is favorable.