Best Wedges in Golf
Golf wedges are an important part of your game, but most golfers don’t pay attention to choosing the right kind of wedges. A lot of players simply go for the wedges based on their color and style but there are many more things to consider.
Now, as a golfer, I truly understand that it can be very hectic to pick a golf wedge, keeping in mind the variety, sizes, grooves, bounces, and grinds. However, I am here to make it easy for you with my buying guide. So, before I share some of the best wedges you can choose from, let’s take a look at different types of wedges.
Types of Wedges in Golf
Lob wedge
One of the most lofted clubs in a golf bag is called a “Lob Wedge”. This one can range between 58 to 64 degrees, and it is perfect to use when your ball is stuck in a bunker. In addition, you can also achieve high apexes with this club during the short game.
Sand wedge
Having a loft of 54 to 56 degrees, the sand wedge is designed to be used in bunkers. As for greens, the sand wedges are a great choice for deft chips and shots up to 100 yards.
Gap wedge
A hybrid of gap and pitching wedge, Gap Wedge is usually in the range of 50 to 52 degrees. A great benefit of having one of these is that you no longer need to keep a hard sand wedge or a soft pitching wedge.
Pitching wedge
Finally, we have the most-lofted wedge, and it is usually between 45 to 48 degrees. This wedge is the most versatile among all others as it can be used for full shots up to 100-150 yards, chip shots, and low pitches as well.
Best Wedges in Golf
Titleist Vokey SM9
Pros:
- Versatility
- The Centre of gravity is forward
- Double groove durability
- Custom-fitting options which suit the needs of all golfers
- Optimized ball blight due to lower CG
- Impressive feel
Cons:
- Very few improvements have been made in the latest model
Price: $175
King Cobra Snake Bite Black
Pros:
- Designed with Spin-maximizing Snakebite groove technology
- New satin black finish
- Highly durable
- Optimized spin and squared face shots
- 3 Grind options
Cons:
- Not suitable for all golfers due to thicker grip
- The big profile may feel a little chunky sometimes
Price: $90
Callaway Jaws Full Toe Raw Face
Pros:
- Available in universal C grind
- Versatile
- Offset Groove-in-Groove technology
- Full Toe shape provides more areas for easier contact.
- Raw face preserves spin for the life of the wedge
- The center of gravity is closer to the middle increasing distance and trajectory control.
Cons:
- A unique look at the address
Price: $169
TaylorMade Hi-Toe 3
Pros:
- Has Micro Rib shaped grooves which increase spin.
- Designed with Raw Face technology.
- Four-way cambered sole
- Optimized performance with high and low bounce options
- Very forgiving
Cons:
- Raw Face is not suitable for every golfer
- Very few improvements in the latest model
Price: $179
Cleveland CBX ZipCore Wedge
Pros:
- Three progressive grind options
- Satin finish
- Full face grooves
- Excellent RTX-6 tour-level option
- Wider sole with high bounce
- Amazing feel and look
- Very forgiving
Cons:
You can miss some good performances from longer distances
It’s a little difficult to clean
Price: $149
PXG Sugar Daddy II Wedge
Pros:
- 100% CNC milled.
- Most accurate and precise performance
- Straight leading edge
- Satin finish
- Ability to go lighter, heavier, longer, and shorter without shifting the center of gravity.
Cons:
- Can be an expensive or sizeable investment.
Price: $349
Mizuno S23
Pros:
- Forged with 1020E mild carbon steel.
- White Satin finish
- Four sole grind options
Cons:
- The lower center of gravity launches the ball very high.
- The smaller clubhead makes it less forgiving.
Price: $160
Buying Guide for Best Wedges in Golf
It is important that a wedge does exactly what it claims. To confirm this, we have tested each one under multiple conditions. So, now we are going to share what you need to consider when buying wedges and you can test them yourself.
Gapping
For this, you need to consider the yardages of all of the wedges in your bag and decide if you can carry extra options. This allows you to fill your bag correctly with the right number of wedges.
Bounce
When you are playing on hard fairways and tight lies then the best option for you is low-bounce wedges. Meanwhile, high-bounce wedges are good for softer areas like bunkers. Adding to this, the kind of bounce you select depends on factors like your attack angle, the firmness of the fairway, and the type of shots you are skilled with around the greens.
Finish
Black PVD and copper finishes are becoming very common but dark finishes help reduce glare. Apart from this, classic chrome and silver are also great options. So, it’s important that you select a club that is not only good-looking but also sits well in your bag with the rest of the clubs.
Grooves
While many golfers don’t care about the grooves on their wedges, they also play an important part in your game. For example, grooves help remove sand and dirt from the ball during impact which helps create extra spin and gives more control. So, it’s important that you select a wedge with grooves that suit your skill level.
