The wedge experts at Titleist’s Vokey Design have seen this trend, offering 48-degree, and since 2012’s SM4, even a 46-degree stock for players to replace their pitching wedge or fill a gap ...

Stronger-lofted irons are popular, so Titleist is making a stronger-lofted pitching wedge available to recreational golfers.

While McIlroy previously used wedges with 46.5 and 50 degrees of loft, he now has a 48-degree MG4 and no 50-degree wedge in the bag. A closer look at Rory McIlroy's new TaylorMade Qi35 driver.