A percentage of golf shots use a wedge to finish a hole, whether it is saving a shot from the edge of green or bunker or pitching into a par 5. One hundred yards and in is and important yardage to master; make sure you have the right equipment. Wedges appear to have made less progress and may emerge to not have changed as much since Gene Sarazen invented the sandwedge but this is untrue. The bounce and sole of the wedge is very important – you must have the right club for the general course that you play.
There are 4 different types of wedges.
Pitching Wedges (PW)
Using has a loft of 47-50 degrees, is the most common wedge. It is used usually used for fuller shots into greens and some longer pitch shots. Most sets today, tend towards a stronger Pitching Wedge (i.e. de-lofted Wedge) allowing space in your bag for a Gap Wedge.
Gap Wedges (GW)
This type of wedge fills the ‘gap’ between the Pitching Wedge and the Sand Wedge. Using varying degrees between 51 and 55 the club offers slightly more opportunities and variation from the fairway and around the green. 
Sand Wedges (SW)
Usually in the range of 56-57 degrees, a Sand Wedge is primarily used for getting out of greenside bunkers but also for lop shots over obstacles and from 'grass bunkers'. Also use in approach shots to the green (approx no more than 80 yards) offers more variation in approach shots.
Lob Wedges (LW)
Increasingly becoming a more popular choice in the golfer’s bags is the Lob Wedge, as it can help shots from deep rough and sand more than other wedges with less loft. The loft is around 60 degrees to offer height in pitch and chip shots. More commonly used around the greens than an approach shot.
Loft & Bounce
The loft of a wedge is the angle at which it hits the ball from off the ground and range from 47 degrees to 64 degrees. Most professional or amateur golfers carry three or even four wedges, to offer a difference of shot selection to their short game.
The Bounce of a wedge incorporates many different features of the sole of the club. The ‘bounce’ centres on the part of the club that hits the turf, hence ‘bounces’
Finishings
Wedges are made of many different material and come in many different finishes and here are some of the main types and their benefits.
Nickel
– dull finish of the Nickel also reduces glare giving a more traditional look.
Black Nickel
– a special coloured chrome plating finish
– same durability and rust protection as the chrome finish as well as the same soft, solid feel. Chrome- provides a classic look,
– soft, solid feel as well as rust protection
Oil Can- heat oxide treated.
– a non-glare appearance as well as a very soft feeling wedge. Over time, the Oil Can finish will wear resulting in a rusty raw wedge
Beryllium Copper
– This finish is similar to both the Oil Can and the Rusty/Raw finish produces a very soft feel off the club face will get darker over time as the oxygen affects the metal.
Shafts
Virtually all wedges come with steel shafts unless the wedges of a graphite set of clubs and the flex is on the stiff side, also due to the fact the shaft is shorter makes it stiffer and this is good for control on the short shots.