Wedges

Golf is a marvelous sport attracting million people around the world. It is easy to understand as playing golf offers a bunch of benefits. Like other sports, golf is a fantastic cardiovascular exercise bringing many both mental and physical health benefits.

It helps you build your muscles, lower your risk of heart diseases, prevent chronic diseases, strengthen your core and even release stress. Also, it is a highly social sport, creating numerous opportunities to connect with business people and make new friends.

When it comes to playing golf, a high-quality wedge plays a vital role in the game. Because no matter how professional your skill is, you still can’t perform well if you make a swing with a bad-quality wedge.

For those are new to this addictive sport, a wedge is a subset of the golf clubs’ iron family designed for special situations. Wedges have the shortest shafts, the heaviest club heads and the highest lofts of the irons.

These features are made to support golf players in making precise short-distance lob shots. Also, wedges come with modified soles to help golfers move the club head through soft lies like thick grass, sand, mud.

After hundreds of years of development and transforming, wedges come in a broad selection of styles, configurations, prices, designs, brands. Picking up the desired wedge may drive you crazy due to the mess golf market.

As a result, today we write this article to help you get a closer step to understanding thoroughly about golf, wedges; and to recommend the best wedges for high handicappers. Please take a look!

Which wedges should I carry?

The average players make use of a wedge 20% of the time. A high-quality wedge will help you hit a loft or near target over a hazard.

Types of wedges

Pitching Wedge (P)

Pitching Wedges are considered the most popular wedges. With a loft ranging from 44 to 48 degrees, it is commonly used for long chip shots and full shots into the greens. The majority of modern sets tend towards a stronger pitching wedge or lower lofted wedge to blend in with longer-hitting iron designs. At the same time, it creates a gap, called a gap wedge.

Gap Wedge (G)

As we mentioned above, gap wedges are gaps located between the sand wedges and the pitching wedges. Attack wedges or utility wedges usually carry a loft of from 50 to 53 degrees. It is typically applied for fuller shots instead of longer chips or a full swing.

Sand Wedge (S)

Sand wedges are designed to escape from green-side bunkers due to its heavier and wider sole. It usually ranges from 54 to 58 degrees. It used to be the highest lofted club in the golfers’ bags until the lob wedges appeared. It is used to bunker shots and chips around the green.

Lob Wedge (L)

At the moment, the newest wedge design is the lob wedge. It possesses a high loft, ranges from 60 to 64 degrees. Its high loft allows users to generate more spin and height with shots near the greens. It is commonly used to flop shots, bunker shots, hit chips rather than full shots.

Approach Wedge (A)

There is a fun fact that approach wedge is another name of the gap wedge. Don’t you know the reason why?

It is all because of the marketing. All golf manufacturers want to create as many products as they can.

Lob wedge and gap wedge are the two most important wedges. As lob wedge is best suited for bunker shots, flop shots, hot chips while gap wedges are appropriate for full shots.

Wedge Properties

Loft

There are numerous loft options available now in the market. Loft ranges from 45 to 64 degree.

• P Wedge: 44-48 degree
• G Wedge: 51-55 degree
• A Wedge: 50-52 degree
• S Wedge: 54-58 degree
• L Wedge: above 60 degree

Bounce

Bounce is the area of the wedge hitting the turf. Bounce includes the bounce-angle, sole width, rocker, camber of a wedge and the leading edge. Based on them, wedges are divided into 3 types: low-bounce wedges, mid-bounce wedges, and high-bounce wedges.

While low-bounce wedges have bounce-angle of 4 to 6 degrees, mid-bounce wedges have angles of 7 to 10 degrees, and high-bounce wedges have more than 10 degrees.

Grind

Sole grind is an additional shaping of the wedge’s sole which is usually located around the toe or the heel. Many wedge manufacturers grind them with a machine to suit specific turf conditions or shots.

Cavity Back

According to a recent survey, most golfers prefer cavity-back wedges because it makes it easier to dig the balls. Additionally, cavity-back wedges feature design elements which boost forgiveness and performance.

The slightly larger clubhead is notably beneficial as it is user-friendly and aims at blending naturally with game-improvement cavity-back irons.

Cavity-back irons are divided into 3 types: Super Game Improvement Irons, Game Improvement Irons, and Players Irons. In detail, Super Game Improvement Irons are designed for newbies and golfers who want the most forgiveness.

Game Improvement Irons are between the Super Game Improvement and Players Irons. They concentrate on a combination of forgiveness and distance. Lastly, Players Irons are meant for the feedback, feel and distance control.

Everything has its pros and cons. And cavity-back wedges aren’t an exception. In terms of cons, they aren’t great for distance control.

Based on our experience, high and mid handicappers should opt for cavity-back irons.

Blades

On the contrary to the cavity-back irons, blade wedges are good for distance control, workability, feedback, and the feel. However, it isn’t a good option for those looking for forgiveness.

Blade irons have a compact and simple design. They are designed with thinner top soles and lines, less weighting behind the club faces. They are best suited for low handicappers and ball strikers.

In case you are newcomers and want to improve your ball striking ability quickly, investing in a cheap set of blade irons is a smart choice.

Wedge Head

The wedge heads are typically coated with a bunch of materials such as chrome, black nickel, rusty, oil can, beryllium. The coated layer is added for the sake of eye-catching appearance.

However, there are several exceptions. For example, a wedge head coated with black nickel won’t reflect sunlight as much as light-colored materials like chrome. Sunlight reflection may annoy some players.

Sometimes, golf makers coat the wedge head with oil to make the wedge rod faster. The rusty surfaces will increase the spin on the golf balls.

How Many Wedges Should a Beginner of High Handicapper Carry?

It is one of the most frequently asked questions. It is easy to understand as there are only 14 clubs in the bag, so it can be a bit challenging to decide which ones to put in. From our own experience, while the average golfer may have 3 wedges, the novice might want to carry 4 or 5.

Two wedge system

Golf players tend to use the clock face drill to dial as it gives them more shots.

Three wedge system

Three wedge system is the most preferred option for golfers. If you pick it, a system with a gap wedge at 52⁰, a lob wedge at 58⁰ and a pitching wedge at 46⁰ will be a perfect choice.

Four wedge system

Four wedge system will be your ideal pick if you usually hit the ball further than 280 yards off the tee. You should go for a wedge having a gap wedge at 50⁰, a lob wedge at 58⁰, a sand wedge at 54⁰.

How to choose wedge: Things to consider before buying

Below is a couple of factors that you should take into consideration before purchasing a wedge:

Easy to use

Easy-to-use is one of the most important features when choosing any equipment and opting for a wedge isn’t an exception. If you are a newbie, adjustable ones may not be suitable for you.

When you are setting your very first steps in learning a new game, you won’t know which settings to use. As a result, you should buy a basic club and practice until you master it.

Forgiveness

In this game, you’ll want to dig the ball with the center of your club. However, some pros will make half shots. Luckily, things change when you have a wedge with forgiveness. It will aid you in hitting the ball with the center of your club. Also, when you miss-hit the ball, your shot will not be disastrous.

Technology

Technology is all about physics, concentration, and mechanics. Wedges designed with superb technologies will change your game. A proper technique will stand you in good stead on the golf course. Hence, you should invest in a wedge with cutting-edge technologies to have a good start. It will be worth your money.

Versatility

Each type of wedges has its own versatility. Among 5 types of wedges, sand wedges are considered the best wedges at offering the most versatility. Thanks to unique loft settings, ease of use and overall availability, sand wedges are beneficial in various cases.

When you have a short approach on par 4, sand wedges will dial in the distance and make the ball up higher to support you. When you face tricky chip with limited space, the loft of your sand wedge carries is ideal for dealing with this challenging shot. It is also born for situations when you need to get out of the greenside bunker or bump and run to save par.

Price and value

As golf is no longer a sport for just the rich and business people, nowadays, wedges come at various prices.

Top rated wedges for high handicappers and beginners on the Market

Choosing a wedge for high handicappers is driving you crazy? Please keep scrolling down and reading as we’ll recommend the best wedges for high handicappers. They all come from well-known brands like Wilson, Callaway or Cleveland.

1. Editor choice

Callaway Mack Daddy 3 Chrome S-Grind Wedge

Apart from Wilson, Pinemeadow, Cleveland, Callaway is also a worth-noticing golf maker in the market. In today’s article, we proudly introduce The Callaway Mack Daddy 3 Chrome S-Grind Wedge.

The Callaway Daddy 3 Wedge ranks first in the best-seller lists of numerous e-commerce platforms, demonstrating how hot and trusted it is by the golfer community.

The reasons behind its success are its excellent versatility and selection in every shot, every swing. The Callaway has 3 unique grinds and a modern milled Progressive Groove Optimization system to optimize the shaping and design with a spin for each loft. Golfers can easily use their wedge in their games and shots the way they want.

This legendary wedge also received input from the Tour players. Up to now, there is a wide range of custom options available.

In term of appearance, it is carefully and beautifully crafted. It has a Satin Chrome finish, making it a perfect match for men.

Everything considered, investing in the Callaway Mack Daddy 3 Wedge will be a smart choice for players at all levels.

Product information:

• Product dimension: 4x5x39 inches
• Hand Orientation: Right and Left
• Loft options: 52 deg, 54 deg, 56 deg, 58 deg, 60 deg
• Shaft material: Steel

Apart from Callaway Mack Daddy 3, the Callaway brand has just released the next version called Callaway Goft 2018 Men’s Chrome Mack Daddy 4. Despite being new, it has quickly marked its reputation in the golf market. Check it out now!

2. Wilson Staff Men's Harmonized Black Chrome Golf Wedge, Right Hand

Wilson Men’s Harmonized Black Chrome Golf Wedge is one of the most preferred wedges of The Wilson. It is easy to understand as it possesses a classic but masculine appearance and is smartly designed with a blade shape, aggressive grooves, and an outstanding body finishing.

In detail, Wilson Men’s Harmonized Black Chrome Golf Wedge wears a black outlook. Its style will surely bring you back to the previous era of traditional wedges. So if you are a tradition lover, this wedge will be your thing.

Its attraction isn’t all about its outlook. The Wilson adds a special sole grind to open the club face. For those who love to get more spins, its blade shapes are made with modified bounce-angel and equipped with aggressive grooves.

In term of prices, it is pretty affordable. Therefore, opting for a Wilson Black Chrome Golf Wedge is a wise choice for beginners.

In short, this wedge is best suited for newbies or golfers who fascinates a traditional and classic wedge or has a low budget but still want to have a good-quality one.

Product information:

• Product dimensions: 36x3x3 inches
• Loft option: Gap (52 deg), Sand (56 deg), Lob (60 deg)
• Right-handed only
• Shaft material: steel

3. Cleveland Golf Men’s 588 RTX 2.0 Muscle Back Standard Bounce Satin Wedge, Black

Cleveland is one of the leaders on the market. You can set your mind at peace when purchasing any products from Cleveland. When it comes to the best wedges for high handicappers, Cleveland Golf Men’s 588 RTX 2.0 Muscle Back Standard Bounce Satin Wedge immediately comes to our minds.

When we were searching online for a high-quality wedge, this Cleveland wedge showed up as it ranks 6^th in the top best-seller products. As usual, after looking around and reading all the reviews, we decided to buy it. Surprisingly, it hasn’t let us down due to its superb performance.

The Cleveland Golf Men’s 588 RTX 2.0 amazes golf players with its simple but manly design with a black look and a white brand name. For those who are a big fan of the black-and-white style, this wedge completely matches your style. Also, the black color makes the product stay “new” longer.

In this product, Cleveland applies 588 RTX 2.0 technology for the sake of smooth control and use laser milling to add more texture and consistency across the face. The micro-roughness helps increase spins on chip shots and pitches.

Cleveland Golf Men’s 588 RTX 2.0 features tour zip grooves to make wall steeper and radii sharper. Interestingly, it also highlights the Rotex 2.0 Face Pattern. Its face has a 2-pass micro milling pattern to create a rough one that USGA allows.

What we like the most about this Cleveland wedge is its perfect weight. It is heavy and rugged enough to dig the golf balls and lightweight enough for adjustments.

Also, it offers numerous loft options for users to pick up. Its user-friendly dot system allows golfers to determine which wedges are suitable to their game.

All in all, The Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 is high-performing and carefully-designed. Buy now because it won’t disappoint you.

Product information:

• Product dimensions: 38x6x6 inches
• Hand Orientation: Right and Left
• Loft options: 46 deg, 52 deg, 54 deg, 56 deg, 58 deg, 60 deg, 62 deg, 64 deg
• Shaft material: Steel

In case you are a big fan of Cleveland and want to buy a wedge with sporty outlook, please have a look at Cleveland Golf Men's RTX 4 Wedge, Black Satin Finish.

4. Pinemeadow Wedge

For Americans, Pinemeadow Wedge is not a strange name as it is one of the top ten golf club makers in the US. After years of producing and distributing golf-related products around the world, it is trusted by million golfers.

Pinemeadow provides a wide selection of products including hybrids, grips, putters, drivers & woods, accessories, bags & carts, complete sets, and clicgears. Most Pinemeadow products satisfy its customer because its products are a perfect balance between design and quality. And this Pinemeadow Wedge is an example.

Pinemeadow wedge offers 5 loft options, from low to ultra-high (50 to 68). Being a unisex wedge, it fits both men and women.

This wedge has a large face area making it easier for beginners to take a swing. There is no sharp-tongued when saying it possesses the biggest face area. Its shaft is made of high-quality steel from Apollo to ensure the highest pleasure.

This product is designed for new golf starters who look for a budget-friendly wedge.

Product information:

• Left-handed and right-handed
• Loft options: 52 deg, 56 deg, 60 deg, 64 deg
• Shaft material: steel from Apollo

5. Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge

Wilson Harmonized Wedges have never failed to capture golf players’ attention. And The Wilson Harmonized Classic Wedge isn’t an exception.

In terms of performance, it performs well with its aggressive grooves. Aggressive grooves are in charge of maximizing spins to boost your confidence. Additionally, the blade shape also provides a modified bounce angle to improve its spinning ability.

When using this wedge, you don’t have to worry about its quality as its head is made of durable stainless steel.

The steel shaft featuring a regular flex accompanied by a head of 35 inches long will surely make a stiffer axis of rotation. This feature not only improves users’ performance but also takes your game to another level.

Additionally, this wedge features an amazing grip to build up your confidence and a sole grind allowing you to open the clubface and hit higher shots with accuracy.

In conclusion, The Wilson Harmonized Classic Wedge is your best friend. It not only helps you improve your overall performance but also build up your inner confidence. Just buy one and it’ll take care of the rest.

Product information:

• Product dimensions: 2×3.5×37 inches
• Hand Orientation: Right and Left
• Shaft Material: steel
• Loft options: 50 deg, 52 deg, 56 deg, 60 deg, 64 deg

FAQ

Conclusion

In this article, we have provided sufficient information on how to pick up a good-quality wedge and recommended the best wedges for high handicappers. Hopefully, after reading our article, you can have a better understanding of wedges and the ability to choose the right one.

If you want to ask us which one is the best among the listed products above, Cleveland Golf Men’s 588 RTX 2.0 Muscle Back Standard Bounce Satin Wedge will be our answer.

In case you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below, we’ll answer as fast as possible. Please give us a thumb up and a share if you find our article informative and helpful. We would highly appreciate your kindness. Once again, thank you so much.