Did you know that you take one out of four shots on the golf course with a wedge? The point holds no matter your skills or handicap. I mean irrespective of whether you’re a professional or beginner. It doesn’t matter if your handicap is low or high either. But what wedges you use does matter. With that in place, here are the 10 best wedges for high handicappers.
Experienced golfers and low handicap are like best buddies. For such professionals, it’s easy selecting a wedge. As they understand what works for them. But, unfortunately yet logically, the same doesn’t apply to high handicappers and beginners. As either one, you require a club that lowers your score. And improves overall performance while you’re learning to lower that handicap!
Time to bring these kinds of wedges into your golfing life!
Contents
- Best Wedges for High Handicappers: Top 10 Wedges
- 1 Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge – Editor’s Choice
- 2 Texan Classics Gun Metal Wedge – For Better Control
- 3 Cleveland Golf 2018 Men’s CBX Wedge – For More Forgiveness
- 4 Cleveland Golf Men’s 588 RTX 2.0 Muscle Back Tour Satin Wedge – For Great Feel
- 5 Callaway Men’s Mack Daddy 3 Black S-Grind Wedge – Best Used Wedge
- 6 Pinemeadow Pre 3 Wedge Pack – Best Wedge Pack for High Handicappers
- 7 Tour Edge Golf 1Out Plus Wedge – For Ease of Use
- 8 Cleveland Golf Men’s Smart Sole 3 Wedge C – For Better Playability from any Lie
- 9 Cleveland Golf Men’s RTX-3 VMG Wedge – For a Tight Budget
- 10 Mizuno Golf S5 Forged Blue Ion Wedge – Best for Sand, Rough, and Fairway
- Best Wedges for High Handicappers 101 (Buyer’s Guide)
- Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Wedges for High Handicappers
- What’s the Final Recommendation?
Best Wedges for High Handicappers: Top 10 Wedges
There are various brands that offer a sea of options. But this tends to complicate the selection process. However, when you have access to rights, sufficient information, you can buy with some confidence. So that’s what I’m here for!
Wedge Name | Our Rating | Loft | Flex |
|---|---|---|---|
#1 Editor’s Choice | 56 degrees | Wedge | |
#2 | 52 degrees, 56 degrees, 60 degrees | Regular | |
#3 | 56 degrees | Wedge | |
#4 | 56 degrees | Regular | |
#5 | 56 degrees | Stiff | |
#6 | 56 degrees | Wedge | |
#7 | 56 degrees | Wedge | |
#8 | 42 degrees | Wedge | |
#9 | 50 degrees | Wedge | |
#10 | 58 degrees | Wedge |
* All links above will take you to the latest prices on Amazon.com or you can read our in-depth golf wedge reviews below.
1 Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge – Editor’s Choice
Looking for the best golf wedges ever is no cakewalk, but playing with the Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge is. This club has been a popular choice for a very long time. All thanks to its innovative sole structure. The design gives you more options for working with around that green.
The Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge ranks among the best wedges for high handicappers. The other reason for its success is the specialized sole grind. It grants you the opportunity for opening the clubface. So go ahead and improve your performance level. That means playing higher shots, and with better accuracy.
What about the appearance of the Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge?
As a high handicapper or beginner, you wish to buy a set of competent wedges. Not necessarily expensive ones! So here’s the Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge. It’s a highly reliable club. That gives you a good standing while you’re learning short game intricacies.
Now here’s the sad part. The Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedges are not pro clubs. I mean you’ll find better performing wedges out there. But those might be more suitable for experienced players. Or for those with a low handicap!
Pros
Cons
Inside Wilson LABS - Wedges
2 Texan Classics Gun Metal Wedge – For Better Control
Now here’s a set of three that you get at the cost of one. The Texan Classics Gun Metal Wedges are an ideal pick. If you want to enjoy more control! But what is it that offers better control here? It’s the Forged Feel clubhead of course. More on that below!
The most enticing feature is the Forged Feel clubhead. It improves control like no other. This takes care of performance. As for appearance, there’s the gunmetal layer. So I would highly recommend this pick to any golfer. No matter his/her score!
But here’s what’s disappointing. The club has sharp grooves. And these tend to destroy balls. Even though they have the wonderful ability to produce all the spin you desire.
Pros
Cons
3 Cleveland Golf 2018 Men’s CBX Wedge – For More Forgiveness
Don’t be surprised to find more than one Cleveland review. The company is known to manufacture high-quality wedges. Much like the Cleveland Golf 2018 Men’s CBX Wedge.
In the end, I only see the Cleveland Golf 2018 CBX as a highly reliable game improvement wedge. Particularly for high handicappers plus beginners!
Full points for consistency, feedback, looks, and feel. It’s a heavy headed wedge with an excellent grind. The club has the ability to boost short game confidence. By giving you an idea about what that golf ball is going to do after landing. It’s the ultimate golfing weapon at your disposal.
The Cleveland Golf 2018 CBX Wedge is a bit heavy. Due to the bounce, I guess.
Pros
Cons
Cleveland CBX Wedge: Short Game Changer
4 Cleveland Golf Men’s 588 RTX 2.0 Muscle Back Tour Satin Wedge – For Great Feel
Here’s another Cleveland creation. It’s the Cleveland Golf Men’s 588 RTX 2.0 Muscle Back Tour Satin Wedge. The brand always has a place in the best wedges for high handicappers. In fact, the 588 RTX 2.0 is an ideal option not just for beginners. But for professionals too!
The feel of this club is like no other. The Cleveland Golf 588 RTX 2.0 Muscle Back Tour Satin Wedge puts the power and control back in your hands. Be it for short or full shots!
The finish of the Cleveland Golf 588 RTX is quite appealing. It’s a black color satin coating that adds the perfect classic appearance. But this finish also gives off a little bit of glare. When under direct or intense sunlight!
Pros
Cons
588 RTX 2.0 - Introduction
5 Callaway Men’s Mack Daddy 3 Black S-Grind Wedge – Best Used Wedge
What you’re looking at here; tour performance and signature shaping. In a remarkable forged design! That’s the Callaway Men’s Mack Daddy 3 Black S-Grind Wedge. It ranks among the best wedges for high handicappers for many reasons. If interested to know, please keep reading.
And lastly, the special sole grind offers tons of versatility. In terms of various shots and different kinds of grass! So be prepared for this Callaway wedge to adapt to your playing style. And not the other way around!
Perfect bounce.Excellent condition. Workable in all types of lies.Lots of spin.Short game improvement. In all, a great club!
Your chances of appreciating every major aspect are quite enormous here. But there is something you might not like so much. It’s the feel of the Mack Daddy 3 Wedge.
Pros
Cons
MD3: 3 Grinds For Every Shot, Condition, and Swing
6 Pinemeadow Pre 3 Wedge Pack – Best Wedge Pack for High Handicappers
You might wonder what is there to admire and use to your advantage here. To be honest, there’s a lot more than you can imagine. The Pinemeadow Pre 3 Wedge Pack is a handy option for high handicappers and beginners. And let me explain the why and how of things.
The best wedges include the Pinemeadow Pre 3 Wedges. I like to think this is possible due to three reasons.
You might marvel at the stainless steel equipped sleek finish too. The Pinemeadow Pre 3 Wedge is an excellent combination of materials. It works well with all types of situations. And you can definitely use that to your advantage.
The Pinemeadow Pre 3 Pack consists of well-constructed wedges. That makes room for you to shape your hits. So you’re able to produce crisp shots with outstanding backspin.
The deal would’ve been perfect if the grips of these wedges were of better quality.
Pros
Cons
How golf clubs are made - Pinemeadow Golf
7 Tour Edge Golf 1Out Plus Wedge – For Ease of Use
The Tour Edge Golf 1Out Plus Wedge does exactly what its manufacturer promises. The club falls in the category “best wedges for high handicappers.” The thing is easy and very convenient to hit. And that’s the most exciting part.
But there are features that I need to spell out for you. So you’ll be able to understand what components are responsible for popularity here.
You can’t deny that it demands some practice/time to understand a new club. But with the Tour Edge Golf 1Out Plus Wedge, the learning curve doesn’t seem so steep.
Use it for chip shots. Use it from bunkers. Use it in whatever situation you like. The Tour Edge Golf 1Out Plus Wedge becomes a favorite in no time. All thanks to the unique “weighty” feel and increased bounce.
Know one thing though. It’s not easy judging the distance of your shot when using this wedge. Unfortunately, that’s what you get with a heavy clubhead.
Pros
Cons
New 1Out Plus Wedge By Tour Edge
8 Cleveland Golf Men’s Smart Sole 3 Wedge C – For Better Playability from any Lie
Add the Cleveland Golf Men’s Smart Sole 3 Wedge to your entourage. And you’ve got yourself a potent weapon to lower those scores. There’s no other way to simplify short games better than using this club.
Now you understand why I called the Cleveland Golf Smart Sole 3 Wedge a potent weapon.
When the sole of clubs is large, you get to glide through fairways and tall grass. In that sense, the current wedge yieldsa loft of 42 degrees. Use the magical golfing tool around that green. And from as far as 125 yards.
You don’t need to look closely to realize that the Cleveland Golf Smart Sole 3 has an unusual shape. What this means is that the club might take some getting used to.
Pros
Cons
Short Game Made Easy: Introducing the Smart Sole Wedges
9 Cleveland Golf Men’s RTX-3 VMG Wedge – For a Tight Budget
Why buy the best wedges for high handicappers? It’s because one of them includes the Cleveland Golf Men’s RTX-3 VMG Wedge. This is yet another Cleveland review. After all, the brand is quite popular when it comes to manufacturing golfing equipment.
But what is it that makes this model an ideal pick for golfers with a high handicap? Time to uncover the truth!
Solid feel, solid contact, solid spin; in all it’s a solid wedge.
Comfortable and convenient to use; this Cleveland club is perfectly balanced. The edge consists of two angles to create a difference in bounce. And this, in my head, sounds pretty awesome.
Not many drawbacks discussed in the post are deal-breakers. But I cannot say the same about the Cleveland Golf RTX-3 VMG Wedge. Cause, after all, a low-quality steel shaft does matter.
Pros
Cons
10 Mizuno Golf S5 Forged Blue Ion Wedge – Best for Sand, Rough, and Fairway
Not the least bit special, the Mizuno Golf S5 Forged Blue Ion Wedge is perfect for high handicappers. It’s not only the blue ion appearance that makes a huge impact. The performance of this club is also outstanding.
Mizuno is a company that manufactures golf clubs for every type of a player. No wonder they are behind such best wedges for high handicappers and beginners.
Lots to look forward to here! A solid, soft, consistent feel is the first. Machine-milled grooves with more surface roughness. To enable optimal spin for ball stopping! Then there’s the special silhouette profile with unique sole grinds. For making the wedge versatile for multiple lies and shots.
The only minor complaint I have is the fading away of the blue ion at the bottom. The color takes a beating on the course.
Pros
Cons
Mizuno S5 Wedge: Spin a little Blue Magic
Best Wedges for High Handicappers 101 (Buyer’s Guide)
Photo credit: australiangolfdigest.com.au
Here’s a section that might help you choose the best wedges for high handicappers. The basics are the same. But as you keep reading, you’ll understand the difference. Between a normal wedge and a wedge for high handicappers!
Wedges: Types
Photo credit: golfalot.com
Pitching Wedge (PW)
This type of a wedge works more as an iron and less like a wedge. And don’t go by the name. Cause players almost never pitch with a typical pitching wedge.
No wonder golf club manufacturing companies include the wedge as a part of their iron set. And this also explains why golfers rarely purchase a PW individually.
Gap Wedge (GW)
When does a gap wedge come in handy? When the full swing using your sand wedge doesn’t reach! At such times, even a PW is too much.
But the loft of the GW falls exactly in between these two wedges. It fills the gap of eight degrees. That explains the term “Gap Wedge.”
Sand Wedge (SW)
Do you prefer carrying just a single wedge? If yes, then let it be the sand wedge. This breed of wedges is specifically crafted to get the ball away from the sand, into the green. (More on understanding golf wedges)
Sand wedges have a comparatively more massive head. This particular structure delivers the much-needed momentum for powering through sand. That means it has the ability to lift that golf ball out.
Now you understand why a SW is useful from rough play as well. When making the full swing, it gives your shot additional height. About 10-20 yards lower than any gap wedge.
Lob Wedge (LW)
The loft of a LW is higher than that of a SW. So expect lob wedges to come in handy when you wish to achieve more height during short shots.
In fact, they are perfect for powering through sand too. You can use a good lob wedge for quick stops on the fast greens.
Wedges: Properties
Photo credit: golfdistillery.com
Loft
What is loft? It’s the clubface angle in association with the shaft. When the loft angle is higher, the club launches the ball higher.
Standard lofts include;
48 degrees (PW),
52 degrees (GW),
56 degrees (SW),
60 degrees (LW).
Bounce
What is bounce? It’s the angle present between the sole and face of any club. The bounce is what glides the club through sand. Or prevents it from digging down into the golf turf!
4-6 degree bounce is perfect for players more likely to sweep golf balls. It performs better on hard sand bunkers and firmer grass.
7-10 degree bounce is the most functional. Such wedges can handle a wider range of swing types and conditions.
What about a wedge with a higher than 10-degree bounce? Now, this is ideal for softer fairways and fine sand.
Photo credit: bo-knows-golftips.com
Grind
What is grind? It refers to one thing; the cub sole shape. Back in the days, golfers customized wedges. And they would do this simply by grinding the different sections of the club’s sole. This modified sole paved the way for them to close or open the clubface. And it did so without affecting the bounce property.
But, to be honest, the grind is not as important as finding the best wedges for high handicappers.
Cavity Back
The more popular cavity back structure contains most of the weight in the clubhead periphery. This is what makes golf clubs more forgiving. It even helps in achieving a better launch on mishits.
Photo credit: todaysgolfer.co.uk
Photo credit: golftipsmag.com
Blades
Photo credit: teeuplo.co.uk
Carbon steel is the material responsible for forging blades. These are then shaped by hand or machine. Before being plated using chrome.
Blades, also called muscle-backs, have a solid clubhead back. The opposite of the hollowed design of a cavity back!
But are these the best wedges for high handicappers? The answer is NO. Professionals and low handicappers are more likely to play with blade style irons and wedges. Since these offer more control. While cavity backs are more forgiving! This means they’re better suited for high handicappers.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Wedges for High Handicappers
1 How many wedges should a high handicapper carry?
Now you know how to choose the best wedges for high handicappers. But what about how many you should buy? And carry?
Tournaments impose a limit of 14 clubs. So carry how many ever help your game.
You already own the included pitching wedge you got with the golf club set. What about the useful gap wedge? If that’s not a part of the set, you should get one. But make sure that it’s the same model as the rest of your current clubs. Otherwise, you might miss out on consistency. But most importantly, the same model helps in filling the gap the wedge was explicitly designed for.
What about the popular sand wedge? Don’t expect any other club to get the ball away from the sand as well as any sand wedge. The greater part of golfers uses it for pitching the ball.
But feel free to ditch the not-so-handy lob wedges. They’re not the best wedges for high handicappers. Mastering the club is something you can achieve only if your handicap is low. Or if you’re an experienced player!
2 What is the most suitable loft for my wedges?
The best wedge setup for high handicappers has a lot to do with the loft.
Ideally, you want the loft spaced 4-5 degrees apart. And if lob wedges are your thing, then select a loft of 60 degrees. Avoid 64 degrees as it’s not easy to hit.
3 What is the most suitable degree for my sand wedge?
Do you use this sand wedge to pitch? If yes, then opt for 4 degrees above the current gap wedge. Or 8 degrees above the current pitching wedge.
But do you just use the SW to get away from the sand? Then I would suggest playing with 58 degrees. This increases your chances of popping the little golf ball out into the green. And that too on your first try!
What’s the Final Recommendation?
My Choice: Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge
You’re obviously not going to buy all the 10 best wedges for high handicappers. You might buy more than one though. But if you’re planning to get just the one, then let it be this. The Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge. And why is that? Simply because it’s well-engineered to fit your high-handicap skills and requirements.
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