Best Golf Wedges: Improve Your Short Game (Updated 2023)

golf wedge
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If you want to start shooting lower scores, you need to work on your wedge game ASAP.

While of course putting is important, your putting stats will improve dramatically if you can get the ball closer to the hole. The percentages of holing putts increase exponentially with each foot closer you get to the cup. 

Playing the right wedges will help your consistency and ultimately, help you shoot lower scores than ever. 

Here are some things to think about when buying wedges:

  • Gapping. This means you want to have equal gapping between wedges so you don’t have a huge distance between them. For example, if your pitching wedge is 46 degrees, try to have 3-5 degrees between your wedges (46, 50, 54, 58). 
  • Number of wedges. Most golfers play with three wedges, while others prefer four wedges. For higher handicappers, I suggest keeping it simple and sticking with three and an extra 7 wood or hybrid. For lower handicap golfers, opt for four wedges as you will use them more often. 
  • Forgiveness. You also want to make sure that you’re playing a wedge that suits your game. Too often high handicap golfers play unforgiving wedges that make it harder on full swings.  
  • Wedge shafts. Finally, don’t forget about playing the right shaft too. Too many golfers play light graphite shafts but then play heavy steel wedge shafts. This makes it hard to sync your tempo and adjust for shots inside 120 yards.  
Highly Rated
Cleveland Golf CBX 2 Wedge
9.9
  • Hollow-cavity design
  • Dynamic sole
  • Amazing feel
  • Rote face
Premium
Titleist SM7 Wedge
9.8
  • Spin milled grooves optimize spin, control, and consistency for more confidence on all wedge shots.
  • Vokey wedges grinds are played, proven and perfected on tour
Great Spin & Control
Callaway Mack Daddy 5 Jaws Wedge
9.7
  • Beautiful look and extraordinary feel
  • Head shaping progresses from traditional shaped lob and sand wedges

Best Golf Wedges

Now that you know what to look for in your new wedges, let’s dive into the best wedges for 2022.

Cleveland Golf CBX 2 Wedge

Excellent Feel
Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge

Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge

  • Hollow-cavity design - additional weight distributed to the perimeter offers more forgiveness
  • Dynamic sole - three different sole grinds deliver more versatility to execute any shot
  • Amazing feel - enhanced feel balancing technology along with a insert reduces vibration
  • Rote face - fourth generation rote face technology delivers our sharpest tour zip grooves

While there are a ton of great wedges on the market, the Cleveland Golf CBX 2 might be our favorite. For the everyday golfer, you can’t beat this option as it’s made for golfers who need extra forgiveness. 

As I mentioned above, a lot of amateur players use a wedge that isn’t suited for their game. They’re too heavy, too stiff, and not forgiving enough. 

Well, until Cleveland released the CBX 2 wedge. The glowing reviews on Amazon make it a no-brainer pick.

So what makes it so great for the average golfer? 

First, it has a hollow cavity design. 

This helps provide additional weight for off center hits making it more forgiving than most wedges. The second thing is the amazing feel thanks to its balancing technology that helps minimize vibrations at impact.

Plus, there is an option for every golfer as it’s available in right or left-hand models. You can also choose from their lightweight steel shaft or an even lighter graphite shaft option too. If you play graphite with your irons, why not with your wedges too? 

This wedge is available in a ton of loft options (46-60 degrees) and sure to help you with your short game and full wedge shot. 

Also Read: Golf Wedge Distances

Titleist Vokey SM9

Premium Quality
Titleist SM7 Wedge

Titleist SM7 Wedge

  • Spin milled grooves optimize spin, control, and consistency for more confidence on all wedge shots
  • Vokey wedges grinds are played, proven and perfected on tour

If you’re like a lot of golfers, I’m sure you’ve asked, “Why are Vokey wedges so good?” Which is a good question because even if a club is very popular, it doesn’t mean it’s right for every type of golfer. That’s why it’s always important to play clubs that are right for your swing and game. 

But if you’re a mid to low handicap golfer, it’s easy to love the Vokey wedges and have been extremely popular since their initial release in 2004. The main reason for their success with golfers worldwide is that they are very versatile. Plus, they allow consistent ball strikers to use wedges for extreme creativity in different turf conditions. 

Plus, they have tons of different loft and grind options as you can choose to get lofts between 46-62 and bounce between 4-14 in six different grind options. This allows you to find the perfect wedges for your unique swing and normal playing conditions. Not to mention, three color options and ability to customize them as well. 

While they are popular, one thing the Vokey wedges aren’t known for is their forgiveness. They’re quite heavy compared to others on this list and have no cavity back like the Cleveland CBX 2. But if you’re a skilled player who wants a lot of options from inside 125 yards, these are a great choice. 

TaylorMade Golf MG2 Wedges

Great Spin & Control
TaylorMade Golf MG2 Wedge

TaylorMade Golf MG2 Wedge

  • Milled Grind 
  • Raw Face Design 
  • TPU Insert 

Another popular wedge is the TaylorMade Golf MG2 series which made the Golf Digest 2020 Hot List. These wedges are loved by golfers around the world thanks to their compact and sleek design. While they are not as forgiving as the Cleveland CBX 2, they are great for golfers who need more versatility around the greens.

These wedges have a raw face design for tons of spin and will rust over time, but will maintain its original finish. Plus, the TPU insert in the back of the cavity helps reduce vibrations and create an amazing feel with full shots. They are available in several lofts from 50-60 degrees and different bounce options too.

Callaway Mack Daddy 5 JAWS Wedge

Amazing Look & Feel
Callaway Mack Daddy 5 Jaws Wedge

Callaway Mack Daddy 5 Jaws Wedge

  • The new tour-tested w and C grinds are both updated to make it easy to play a wider variety of greenside shots
  • Head shaping progresses from traditional shaped lob and sand wedges to a compact player preferred design in the gap and pitching wedges for a seamless transition into an iron set

While Callaway Golf has made quite a splash since unveiling the Epic Flash series in 2019, they make some great wedges too. Even though they don’t use artificial intelligence like their woods, they are super high-quality wedges.

Designed by Roger Cleveland, these have a beautiful look and unbelievable feel thanks to the 8620 mild carbon steel. The shape is flawless whether you choose a lob wedge all the way through a pitching wedge. Not to mention, they have a huge selection of different lofts, bounce options, and several color choices too.

Plus, they have two shaft options available. You can get the True Temper Tour Issue steel shaft (115 grams) or the Project X Catalyst graphite shaft (80 grams). Both come with stock Lamkin UTX black and blue grip too.

Mizuno T20 Golf Wedge

Great Value
Mizuno T20 Golf Wedge

Mizuno T20 Golf Wedge

  • Hydro flow micro grooves
  • Weight placed high, discreetly within a tapered blade for increased spin
  • Grain flow forged hd
  • Precise cnc milled grooves

High handicappers beware, the Mizuno T20 wedge is not for you. But if you’re a mid to low handicap golfer, this is a phenomenal option. While Mizuno doesn’t make incredible drivers or woods, they specialize in world-class irons and wedges.

The T20 wedge is geared toward above average ball strikers to maximize and control spin. The CNC milled grooves and stock S400 shaft make it a great fit for someone who wants tons of versatility around the greens.

This club is not offered in graphite shaft but does have two color choices; a unique blue iron shade or classic satin chrome. They come in a variety of lofts (46-60) with several bounce options as well.

Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge

Forgiving
Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge

Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge

  • More Spin from Groove-In-Groove Technology
  • Four Sole Grinds to Suit a Variety of Playing Styles, Attack Angles and Course Conditions 
  • Broad Range of Lofts and Bounce Combinations 

If you want more forgiveness than the Mack Daddy collection from Callaway, the CB (which stands for cavity back) is a better option. Not only are these more forgiving on full shots, they have graphite and steel stock shaft options too. This is a huge benefit because a lot of golfers settle for wedges with steel shafts, even when their irons are lightweight, graphite shafts.

With the Mack Daddy CB wedges, you can buy graphite and have a smooth transition from irons to wedges. Plus, they have a massive selection of wedges from 46-60 degrees. They have tons of spin from their groove-in-groove technology and several sole grinds to match your own attack angle and typical course conditions. 

When it comes to individual, forgiving, affordable wedges, these check all the boxes. Don’t forget, you can also choose from chrome or black matte finish too.

Wilson Harmonized Wedges

Best Budget
Wilson Harmonized Wedges

Wilson Harmonized Wedges

  • Classic, high polish finish and classic blade shape
  • True temper steel irons for high performance and reliability
  • Sole grind allows players to open the club face further to hit higher shots with more accuracy

Wedges used to be one of the cheaper parts of completing your set of clubs. But now, some wedges are nearly $200 per club, which can add up quickly if you buy 3-4 on top of your normal iron set which is at least $1,000 per set. 

Luckily, Wilson has their Harmonized wedges which are a fraction of the price of most wedges and praised by golfers worldwide. They have a classic look and feel with a chrome or gunmetal finish. Plus, they come stock with a True Temper steel shaft. 

Another huge perk is the five different loft options. You can choose from 50, 52, 56, 60, and 64 degree lofts and each has a special sole that maximizes forgiveness. You’ll get tons of spin, accuracy, and forgiveness in one of the best deals in the golf world. 

If you want a great deal and dependable wedge, this is a great option.

C3i Wedge

Highly Rated
C3i Sand Wedge & Lob Wedge

C3i Sand Wedge & Lob Wedge

  • No-friction glide through turf, no-effort flop shots
  • Less complicated swing vs traditional wedges
  • Featured in golf digests article 5 wedges to help you hit better sand shots

If you’re a beginner golfer or high handicapper, we got you covered. 

The C3i wedge is even more forgiving than the Cleveland CBX 2 and great for shots around the green. It’s a beginner-friendly club to help you get the ball high without having to open the face or adjust your swing.

The C3i wedge makes short shots easier including high pitch shots and bunker shots. It’s engineered to help you to take dead aim at the target and play your normal swing. While this club is the most forgiving wedge, it’s still tournament legal too. 

The one downside is that it’s only available in 55, 59, or 65 degree loft options. But if you struggle around the greens and have nightmares about bunker shots, this is the wedge for you. 

Top Questions About Buying Wedges

Do you have additional questions about finding the right wedges to help your game inside 125 yards? If so, make sure to read our top questions about buying wedges to play the best clubs for your game. 

What is the most useful golf wedge?

I would argue that the gap wedge or sand wedge is the most useful. Pitching wedges are great for full shots, but not ideal for around the green, especially if you’re short sided. While a lob wedge is helpful but only around the green or inside about 75 yards for the average player.

Meanwhile, a GW and SW can help you out of all kinds of difficult situations. A gap wedge is very versatile because it helps fill the distance between your SW and PW for full shots. Plus, you can hit knockdown shots, long greenside bunker shots, low pitches, and more. 

While a SW is great for around the greens from thick rough, greenside bunkers, and most shots inside 100 yards. Both are super useful and recommend having both in your bag to help you save shots from short range. 

What is the easiest golf wedge to hit?

The easiest wedge to hit is likely a gap wedge (while some golfers might disagree and choose SW instead). On the other hand, the LW is the most difficult club to hit due to the design and why it’s not recommended for every type of amateur golfer.

For a lot of golfers, a GW is easier to hit because some players use a wedge that matches the rest of their iron set, instead of buying a separate wedge. For example, if you play cavity back irons with graphite shafts, it might make sense to buy a matching gap wedge too. 

When your GW matches the rest of your irons, it’s easier to make consistent contact vs. buying a separate wedge that isn’t as forgiving. Plus, a gap wedge is designed for more forgiveness than a SW since it’s used for more full swing shots. 

What wedge grind is the most forgiving?

Wedge grind often refers to the amount of bounce and loft. 

For example, the Titleist Vokey wedges have six different grind options. Some have low bounce (4 degrees), others are mid-bounce (8-10 degrees), and others have high bounce (12-14 degrees).

In general, wedges with more bounce are more forgiving, assuming that you’re playing in the right conditions. Some wedges are better suited for firm, hard fairways, while others are best for players with a shallow or steep swing. There are a ton of different variables which is why you should think about your swing and conditions before investing in new wedges.

Overall, I think it’s a good idea to make sure your wedge has at least 10 degrees of bounce. 

This amount of loft is an all-purpose wedge that is forgiving and can help improve your short game. Make sure to check with the manufacturer on which grind type has at least that much bounce to find a forgiving wedge. 

What wedges should a high handicapper have? What 3 wedges should I carry? 

A higher handicap golfer (and really any golfer) should have at least three wedges; PW, GW, and SW. The pitching wedge should come standard with your iron set and you will typically need to buy the GW and SW separately.

Until you can break 90 consistently, I would recommend skipping out on an LW as it’s hard to hit for higher handicap golfers. Instead of using a high lofted LW, add another fairway wood or hybrid to help out your long game. 

Final Thoughts

When buying new golf wedges remember this one rule: play the wedges that are right for your game. 

If you play graphite irons, opt for graphite wedge shafts or a very lightweight steel option to maintain your tempo. If you play cavity back irons, invest in forgiving cavity back wedges too. 

By playing the right wedges for your skill level, I promise you’ll make the game easier. Plus, you’ll likely have more fun as you can get the ball up and down more from around the green. 

What is your favorite brand of wedge? Let us know in the comments! 

Michael Leonard

Michael Leonard

Michael Leonard is a full-time writer, author, creator of Wicked Smart Golf and +1 handicap amateur golfer. He left his corporate career in 2017 to pursue entrepreneurship and professional golf; since then, he’s competed in 160+ tournament days and went to Q-school in 2019.

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