The 60° and 64° wedges are some of the highest lofted wedges you can buy. They both have their benefits, but if you were picking between the two which one is better, when should you use one or the other?
In this article, I breakdown the differences between these two clubs, and when you should use each.
What is the difference between the 60 degree wedge and the 64 degree wedge? The main difference between the 60° and 64° wedge is distance and height. The 60° wedge will provide more distance, but less height, than the 64° wedge. The 64° wedge is great for high lofted shots that require less distance. In short, the 64° wedge is better for extremely short shots
| Loft | 60 | 64 |
| Type | Lob | Ultra Lob |
| Distance | 45-55 yards | 30-40 yards |
| When To Use | -Short distance chips-To get over tall objects-10-15 yards outside green | -Short sided green shot-To get over tall object-5 yards or less outside the green |
| USGA Legal | Yes | Yes |
Both the 60 degree and 64 degree wedges can be used in similar situations, as they are both high-lofted wedges. However, the 64 degree wedge is better for extremely close shots (30 – 40 yards maximum), whereas the 60 degree wedge is better for shots that are a bit longer (50-55 yards).
Loft: 60 Degree vs 64 Degree Wedge
The most apparent difference between these two wedges is the amount of loft. In the golf world, the 60° and 64° wedge would be considered very high lofted. The purpose of these clubs is to get a lot of height on the ball while maintaining a low amount of distance.
There is a difference of 4° between these two clubs. Studies show that adding 4 degrees of loft to a club removes about 5 to 10 yards of distance. So, that 4° does play a substantial role and the difference in distance and height that you’ll see on the ball. As I get into it, later in this article, you’ll see how large of a role that 4° plays.
Distance: 60 Degree vs 64 Degree Wedge
One of the key differences between these two wedges is the amount of distance you will get from them. While every golfer’s swing speed is different (thus impacting the distance), the average distance you will see with a 60 degree loft is 45 to 55 yards, whereas the 64 degree wedge will give anywhere from 30 to 40 yards.
| Loft | 60 | 64 |
| Distance | 45-55 yards | 30-40 yards |
As mentioned above, every golfer has their own strength and swing speed, so the distance for you may vary a bit, however these are the most common distances that people get with these clubs.
It’s incredibly important to know what distance you’ll get with each club, as that impacts when and where you would use it. So, if you have an average to above average swing speed, then you will see 50 to 55 yards of distance with the 60° wedge, and 30 to 40 yards of distance with the 64° wedge.
When To Use Each Club: 60 Degree vs 64 Degree Wedge
There are different instances in which each club is optimal to use. Depending on your style, you may have different preferences, but these are the most common times to use each of these wedges during your game.
| Loft | 60 | 64 |
| When To Use | -Short distance chips -To get over tall objects -10-15 yards outside green | -long sided green shot -To get over tall object -5 yards or less outside the green |
When To Use A 60 Degree Wedge
The 60 degree wedge is great for short range shots, especially those that are 10 to 15 yards outside of the green (if you are on the far side of the green). So if you are on the end of the fairway, or in the rough near the green, this is the club to use.
It is also very useful to get over tall objects like hills, short trees, etc.
When To Use A 64 Degree Wedge
A 64 degree wedge is best used for very short distance shots, or shots where a lot of height is needed. Generally, if you are about 5 yards away from the green, or are on the far side of the green, this club will benefit you greatly. Any distance beyond 40 yards and this club will come up short for green shots.
Another great use for the 64 degree wedge is to get over tall objects. If there is a tall tree or tall hill in front of you, this club is great to use to get over them. So it can also be used to evade obstacles on the course as well.
Type: 60 Degree vs 64 Degree Wedge
Something to note is that these clubs go by two different names. The 60° wedge is known as a “lob wedge”, whereas the 64° wedge is known as an “ultra lob” wedge.
Both names are pretty self-explanatory, but the main difference between the two is that the ultra lob wedge implies that you are going to get even more of a “lob effect” when using it. So, in case anyone references either of these clubs by one of those names, you know what they are called and what the difference is.
USGA Legal: 60 Degree vs 64 Degree Wedge
Something to note is that both the 60° and 64° wedges are considered legal by the USGA and the R&A. So, you can use either of these clubs for any casual, high-level amateur, or professional golf outings and tournaments.
For reference, the USGA and R&A are considered governing bodies of the golfing world. So, any club that they deem legal should be considered legal by all other golfing groups and organizations.
Tell, in case anyone questions the legality of your 60° or 64° wedge, you can simply point them to the USGA’s database, or the R&A’s database to show them that both types of wedges are indeed considered legal.