# Tiger Woods and Seve Ballesteros' 56-Degree Wedge Secret

> Tiger Woods and Seve Ballesteros both preferred 56-degree wedges over 60s for better control and bounce.
- Title: Tiger Woods and Seve Ballesteros' 56-Degree Wedge Secret
- Summary: Tiger Woods and Seve Ballesteros both preferred 56-degree wedges over 60s for better control and bounce. Tiger Woods and Seve Ballesteros used 56-degree…
- Keywords: tiger woods, seve ballesteros, 56-degree wedge, 60-degree wedge, golf, short game, chipping, sports, Tiger, Woods, Seve, Ballesteros'
- Source: EssentiallySports — https://essentiallysports.com/golf-news-the-curious-reason-tiger-woods-and-seve-ballesteros-used-fifty-six-degree-instead-of-sixty-degree-wedge
- Author: Sudeep Sinha
- Published: 2026-10-12T20:39:20+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: tiger woods, seve ballesteros, 56-degree wedge, 60-degree wedge, golf, short game, chipping, sports
## Tiger Woods' 56-Degree Wedge
Tiger Woods favored his 56-degree wedge for chipping and bounce over his 60-degree option.

> Tiger Woods has always had a 56 in his bag
## Seve Ballesteros' 56-Degree Wedge
Seve Ballesteros used a 56-degree wedge bent to 57 degrees for his short game.

> Seve Ballesteros never had a 60° wedge
## Why 56-Degree Wedges Work
The 56-degree wedge offers more bounce and forgiveness for chipping shots.

> it offers greater forgiveness
## Woods' Equipment Change
Woods switched to a 56-degree wedge for the 2019 Open Championship, keeping his 60-degree lob wedge.

> He made a notable equipment change ahead of the 2019 Open Championship
## Ballesteros' 1983 Masters Shot
Ballesteros chipped into the 18th hole at the 1983 Masters while leading by four strokes.

> At the 1983 Masters, Ballesteros chipped the ball into the 18th hole
## Ballesteros' 1988 Open Championship
Ballesteros recovered from a tough position at the 1988 Open Championship to win by two shots.

> At the 1988 Open Championship at Royal Lytham, Ballesteros carded a closing 65
## Key takeaway

Tiger Woods and Seve Ballesteros used 56-degree wedges for greater bounce and control in short game shots.