Chipping is an essential part of the game of golf, no matter what level you are playing. A good chunk of your golf score is going to come from chipping, which makes it extremely important to have a few wedges that you can rely on when the chips are down. This will allow you to hit the ball close to the pin even if you miss the green and avoid situations where you may top your chip shots and watch those blasted shots roll away from the green.
In this guide we will review some of the best wedges for chipping on the market today. These clubs are ideal for anyone who wants to have a few more options when around the putting surface without an overreliance on your putter.
2023 Quick Picks: Best Wedges For Chipping Around The Green
Below are our picks for the best wedges for chipping around the green:
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Why Use A Wedge For Chipping?
When a player is around the green, they are often thinking of putting and will automatically pull the putter out of the bag. This lazy approach leads many players to use their putter for everything from short chips to long chips when the distance is not an issue. Having a specialized wedge can help you avoid over-reliance on your putter at all times, but especially on short chip shots.
Not only this but it can lead to hitting better shots around the green and getting the ball closer to the hole, especially in situations where there are obstacles in the way and you may benefit from getting some air on your shot such as when you are required to chip over hazards and bunkers or from a greenside bunker itself.
By mastering chipping and pitching shots with a wedge you can easily make them becoming the favorite club in your golf bag in no time.
Types of Wedges
There are different kinds of wedges which are a pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge and lob wedge. These types of wedges provide an ideal approach option for golfers within 125 yards of the green. This can be from utilizing a pitching wedge or gap wedge for approach shots. Whereas as you get closer to the green the type of wedge that you use may change to a sand wedge or lob wedge as they are typically the best wedges for chipping.
Key Wedge Considerations
There are some key considerations to take into account before choosing a wedge for chipping.
Loft and Bounce Angle
Loft and bounce angle is crucial when looking at wedges for chipping. You want a wedge that is going to fire the ball back up to the ground on the other side of the obstacles you may find around the green. This will help you to maintain control of your chip shots and ensure that you are able to put backspin to stop the ball as you want.
Durability
You will likely want something that will last for quite a long time. By choosing a club that is durable you will be able to have something that lasts a while and doesn’t deteriorate quickly. This can be pivotal as you don’t want to use golf equipment that will likely break.
Forgiveness
Chipping can be a hard skill to master. This is what leads so many amateur golfers to automatically pull out the putter when their golf ball is towards the green. However, it won’t always save you, especially when you have hazards or a larger distance area to overcome. This is why you should invest in a forgiving wedge as it will help you to find confidence and overcome any fears that you have when it comes to chipping.
What Degree Wedge Is Best For Chipping?
The loft of wedges are an important consideration. For chipping, people tend to agree that anything around 56 degrees of loft is ideal and can provide consistent results. This is because this allows you to hit golf balls close to the ground and generate the maximum spin and height while maintaining control of the distance that you want your chip to go.
Best Wedges For Chipping: In Detail
When the average golfer is looking for wedges there are plenty of attractive options that can help you to hit a better golf shot around the green.
Wedge #1: Callaway Jaws Mack Daddy 5 Wedge
If you're looking for an all round high performance wedge then the Callaway Jaws MD5 Wedge fits the bill.
- 23 Customization Options
- Quality Construction
- Great Design
- Aggressive Grooves
The Mack Daddy 5 Wedge is the perfect club for anyone who wants to have more options around the green. The face of the club is thin which has allowed Callaway to get the head-weighting exactly where they want it to be. It strikes the perfect balance in terms of getting the ball up in the air while hitting it low enough to be effective around the green and is both forgiving and a versatile wedge.
Callaway are a leading golf brand and have a reputation for making some of the best golf clubs on the market, which is another reason why this is such a good wedgewith a low center of gravity. To add to this, the Mack Daddy 5 Wedge comes in a variety of loft options which means that you can tailor your purchase to what your own exact needs are.
Pros
1) Reliability: It allows you to hit a low wedge shot that can be successful around the green.
2) Forgiving: It has a design for forgiveness which makes it a very forgiving club, even on mis-hits.
Cons
1) Price: It is one of the more expensive wedges on this list.
2) Oversized: It’s a little bit oversized, especially when compared to other models on this list.
Find Out More: Callaway Jaws Wedge Review
Wedge #2: TaylorMade Milled Grind 2 Wedge
The TaylorMade Milled Grind 2 Wedge is another good wedge for players who want more options around the greens without switching back and forth from their putter. It is a bit smaller than other wedges on this list but still packs a punch when it comes to performance. It strikes a good balance between being slightly undersized and slightly oversized, meaning that you can hit the ball higher while still giving you enough control around the greens. The milled grooves on the surface of the club allow you to get better spin and control on your shots whilst staying in control of distance when you want to get the ball onto the green.
Wedge #3: Wilson Staff Model Wedge
The Wilson Staff Model Wedge is a nice option for people who are looking for a little bit of forgiveness in their wedge. It’s not the most forgiving club on this list and it may be slightly on the heavy side, but it does allow you to get a good level of performance. The price is also very reasonable, making this a great option for beginners or casual players who may be looking for something within a lower price range.
Wedge #4: Pinemeadow Wedge
If you are looking for a cheaper alternative that will still give you reliability with your chip shots then the Pinemeadow Wedge is the perfect model for you. The wedge comes with grooves that allow for plenty of spin to be delivered to the ball. If you are starting out or a high handicap player then this wedge for high handicappers can help you to gain the experience and confidence you need to take on chip shots as you improve your golf handicap and use a wedge for spin.
It may not be as durable as other options but if you are looking for something that you can trust that comes at a low cost then this may just be the best option for you.
Pros
1) Reliability: It is fairly reliable chipping wedge for hitting chip shots around the green.
2) Price: The Pinemeadow Wedge is fairly inexpensive, making it ideal for beginners.
Cons
1) Durability: It is not the most durable club on this list which means that it is prone to breaking or not lasting for a long time in your golf bag.
2) Distance Control: There are better options that offer better distance control for longer wedge shots.
Wedge #5: Cleveland Golf Men’s RTX 4 Wedge
The Cleveland Men’s RTX 4 Wedge is a great choice for players who are looking for durability whilst still requiring relative distance control. It’s made of high quality steel and carbon making it suitable for all levels of golf and can offer a premium level of performance. It costs quite a bit compared to other models on this list, but you are getting a high-quality product that will be able to withstand some of the harshest conditions.
Bonus Chipping Tips
Focus On Distance Control
Practicing at the driving range or a putting green is a great way to find some rhythm with your wedge distances. It can take time to get used to the feel needed for chip shots with lofted wedges so it is well worth investing the time into practicing.
Chip Low
If you want to get up and down from around the green then you are going to have to try and hit the ball lower than your usual chip shot to give you the best control possible.
Practice At Home
The best way to find consistency when you don’t play golf regularly is to use a lofted club at home and invest in a golf chipping net or realistic in home putting green to practice. This will give you more time to practice your with your best wedge for chipping and find what works best for you.
In Summary: Which Chipping Wedge Should You Choose?
When choosing the best wedges for chipping there are a range of considerations to consider before you go ahead and make your purchase. Firstly, you will want to consider if you want to add a lob wedge to your bag or if you prefer to use a sand wedge.
Finding the best golf wedges is a tough task to do because there are so many options available today for players of all abilities from beginner to mid handicap to low handicap to pick from. For beginners a forgiving wedge is a great way to get started which is why an affordable options such as the Pinemeadow Wedge may make sense for your short game.
However, for more advanced golfers who are looking to find something that can provide consistent spin and a clean contact then the Callaway Jaws Mack Daddy 5 Wedge represents the best wedge for chipping to shave strokes off your golf score around the green.
