What Is a 60 Degree Golf Club?

The 60-degree golf club, often called a lob wedge, is one of the most exciting - and intimidating - clubs you can put in your bag. It’s a specialized tool built for one primary purpose: hitting the ball very high and having it land very softly with minimal rollout. This article will break down what a 60-degree wedge is, when (and when not) to use it, and how you can master it to save strokes around the green.

What Is a 60-Degree Wedge, Anyway?

At its core, a 60-degree wedge is defined by its loft. Loft is the angle of the clubface relative to the shaft. For context, a standard pitching wedge is around 45-48 degrees, and a sand wedge is typically 54-56 degrees. The 60-degree lob wedge has a significantly higher loft, meaning the face points more towards the sky at address.

This extreme loft is what allows golfers to produce incredibly high, delicate shots that stop almost immediately upon landing. Think of Phil Mickelson’s signature "flop shot" that seems to float effortlessly over a bunker and stop dead next to the hole. That’s the magic of a lob wedge. It's not a distance club, it's a precision instrument designed for touch and creativity around the greens.

When Should You Pull Out Your 60-Degree? (The Hero Shots)

Knowing when to use your lob wedge is half the battle. This club shines in specific, high-stakes situations where no other club can do the job quite as well. Here are the prime opportunities to let your 60-degree be the hero.

Over Obstacles from a Short Distance

This is the classic scenario for a lob wedge. Imagine your ball is just a few paces from the front of the green, but a steep-faced bunker or a large tree stands directly between you and the pin. A normal chip shot with a lower-lofted club wouldn't get high enough, fast enough, to clear the obstacle. The 60-degree allows you to pop the ball straight up in the air and land it softly on the other side, turning a potential disaster into a manageable up-and-down.

When You're Short-Sided with No Green to Work With

Being "short-sided" means you've missed the green on the same side the pin is located, leaving you very little green surface to land your ball on before it reaches the hole. If you tried to chip this with a 9-iron, the ball would land and run all the way to the other side of the green. The 60-degree solves this problem. Its high trajectory and steep descent angle mean you can land the ball precisely on your tiny target area and trust it to stop quickly, leaving just a short putt.

The High, Soft Flop Shot

The flop shot is a high-tariff, high-reward play that requires both confidence and proper technique. It’s most useful when you have to carry an obstacle and land the ball on a downhill slope or a very fast green. The goal is to send the ball sky-high so it lands with almost no forward momentum. It’s the ultimate "get out of jail" card for truly tricky spots, and the 60-degree wedge is the perfect tool for the job.

From Fluffy Lies in the Rough

When your ball is sitting up nicely in some fluffy grass around the green, the 60-degree can be a fantastic option. The high loft allows you to slide the clubface right under the ball, popping it up and out without getting tangled in the thick grass. The ball will typically come out high and soft, making it easier to control the distance.

The Dark Side: When to Leave the 60-Degree in the Bag

While the 60-degree can save you strokes, it can also cost you dearly if used improperly. It has a very small margin for error. Here are situations where a simpler club choice is usually the smarter play.

• For Longer Pitch or Approach Shots: A 60-degree is not designed for full swings. Trying to hit it from 80 yards out often leads to a loss of control, inconsistent distances, and ballooning shots that get caught in the wind. A sand wedge or gap wedge will give you much better results and consistency from that range.
• When a Simpler Shot Will Do: If you have plenty of green between you and the hole, don't try to be a hero. A simple bump-and-run with an 8-iron or pitching wedge is a much higher percentage shot than a delicate lob. The golden rule is to get the ball on the ground and rolling like a putt as soon as you can.
• In a Strong Wind: The high ball flight produced by a lob wedge is a sail in the wind. A gust can easily push your shot far off line or drastically alter its distance. In windy conditions, opt for low, penetrating shots with less lofted clubs.
• From Tight or Hardpan Lies: Hitting a 60-degree from a bare lie (think dry, hard dirt or whisper-thin fairway grass) is extremely difficult. The sharp leading edge can easily dig into the ground (a "chunk") or rebound off it and strike the equator of the ball (a "skull" or "thin" shot). Unless your technique is flawless, this is a very low-percentage play.

Understanding Bounce and Grind: The Secret Sauce of Your Wedge

When choosing a lob wedge, you'll encounter two important terms: bounce and grind. Understanding them will help you pick a wedge that actually suits your swing and the courses you play.

What is Bounce?

Bounce is the angle created between the leading edge of the wedge and the lowest point of its sole. In simpler terms, it's the part of the club that "bounces" off the turf or sand, preventing it from digging in too much. Think of it like the hull of a boat, a wider, more angled hull keeps the boat from sinking. Wedges come in three main bounce categories:

• Low Bounce (4-6 degrees): Best for firm turf conditions and for golfers with a "sweeping" swing who don’t take deep divots. It's also great for opening the face to hit creative shots from tight lies.
• Mid Bounce (7-10 degrees): The most versatile option that works well in a variety of conditions. It's a great all-around choice for players who aren't quite sure what they need.
• High Bounce (10+ degrees): Ideal for soft turf, fluffy rough, and soft sand. This is the go-to for golfers with a steep angle of attack who tend to dig, as the extra bounce provides forgiveness and helps the club glide through the ground instead of getting stuck.

A Quick Word on Grind

Grind refers to the shaping of the sole of the wedge, where material has been ground away from the heel, toe, or trailing edge. Different grinds allow you to open the clubface at address while keeping the leading edge low to the ground. This makes it easier to hit creative shots like flop shots. You don't need to get too bogged down in the details at first, but know that certain grinds make a wedge more versatile.

How to Hit a 60-Degree Wedge: Two Essential Shots

Here are the fundamentals for two of the most common shots you’ll hit with your lob wedge.

The Standard Pitch Shot

This is your stock-standard shot for carrying an obstacle and having the ball stop with moderate roll. Use this when you have a decent lie and need a high, soft landing.

1. Setup: Place your feet slightly narrower than shoulder-width apart. Position the ball in the middle of your stance. Put about 60% of your weight on your front foot and keep it there throughout the swing. Your hands should be even with or just slightly ahead of the ball.
2. The Swing: This shot is about body rotation, not just arms. Take the club back by rotating your chest away from the target, allowing your wrists to hinge naturally. A swing back to chest-high is often all you need.
3. Through the Ball: Rotate your body back toward the target and let the arms follow. Keep your speed up through the shot - decelerating is the number one cause of chunks and flubs. Finish with your chest facing the target.

The High-Flying Flop Shot

Reserved for emergencies, the flop shot requires commitment. Use it only when you absolutely must get the ball up and down quickly over an obstacle.

1. Setup: Widen your stance for a stable base. Open your stance by aiming your feet well left of the target (for right-handers). Play the ball forward, off the inside of your lead heel. Most importantly, open the clubface so that it's pointing at the sky.
2. The Swing: Hinge your wrists early and make a full, smooth backswing. The key here is not a slow swing, but a fast one. You need clubhead speed to generate the height and spin.
3. Through the Ball: Swing aggressively but smoothly under the ball, feeling like you’re sliding the clubface along the grass. The opened face and high speed will pop the ball straight up. Don’t be afraid to take a little bit of turf. Finish your swing fully with confident acceleration.

Final Thoughts

A 60-degree lob wedge isn't a silver bullet, but it is a powerful specialist tool that can unlock new scoring opportunities around the green. By understanding its purpose, picking the right moments to use it, and committing to the proper technique, you can turn this intimidating club into one of your most trusted shot-savers.

For those moments when you’re standing over the ball, caught between playing it safe or going for the spectacular flop with your 60-degree - that’s precisely where an impartial caddie is invaluable. With Caddie AI, you can get real-time strategic advice right on the course. You just need to snap a photo of your lie, and I can analyze the situation and give you a clear, expert recommendation on which club and shot type gives you the best chance for success. This takes the guesswork out of your short game so you can execute every swing with confidence.