Wedges play a key role for golfers when looking at a golfers club selection. The best wedges for high handicappers can make the difference in converting a 50-65 yard approach into a birdie or just making bogey. Without the right wedge, you might even find yourself in a situation where you are in danger of making a bad score on a hole.
This is why golf wedge selection really can make a big difference to a golfer. However, it isn’t always easy to know where to start if you are a beginner or a high handicapper.
This is because there are many factors to consider, and ultimately, your final decision will come down to your own needs and preferences. In our guide to the best wedges for high handicappers and beginners, we will help you get the right wedge in your bag.
Best Wedges For Beginners: 2023 Quick Picks
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Key Considerations When Buying A Wedge
From the forgiveness to the cost of your wedges, there are plenty of factors to consider. This section will discuss the factors you need to consider before purchasing the best wedge for high handicappers and beginners.
Bounce
When you’re in the market for a game improvement wedge, the bounce will have a big impact on how it performs. Bounce is an important factor to consider because each wedge has a specific angle of bounce that is designed to optimize spin on the ball around the green.
An example of this is a wedge with a bounce of 20 degrees. This means that when you connect with the ball, it will bounce 20 degrees before touching the ground. The higher the bounce, the more bite you will get out of your wedge.
Bounce is important because it can help you to make solid contact with the ball and get a good spin. This is critical for high handicappers who need to find a way to optimize their wedge performance in order to reduce scores.
Forgiveness
Choosing the best wedge for high handicappers or beginners starts with forgiveness because it helps prevent any bad shots due to a lack of experience. This is important in preventing you from throwing more poorly hit shots, leading to a drop in your scoring average.
Forgiveness will help you get away with bad shots, but it is important to note that you can still make mistakes with forgiving golf clubs if you make poor contact.
Cost
Golf clubs can be expensive to buy, so you probably don’t want to overspend on a wedge. Instead, you may want to look for an entry-level model or a lower mid-range option that won’t break the bank if you’re just starting.
The good news is that there are plenty of entry-level models out there that have a lot of performance for beginners.
Durability
You will probably want to look for clubs that you can carry in your bag for a long time. The last thing you want is to buy a wedge that falls apart after a few uses or months of hitting balls on the driving range.
This will end up with you spending more money and being back at square one trying to find a good wedge.
What Are The Different Wedges?
From a pitching wedge to a lob wedge, the number of wedges available can seem a bit overwhelming to a beginner as they can be used for a variety of shots such as pitching or chipping. Below is an overview of some common wedge types.
Pitching Wedge
A pitching wedge is used primarily for longer shots and is normally the shortest of the wedges available. This wedge has a loft between 46-50 degrees and is designed to give you control and precision when aiming from a distance of around 100-150 yards.
Gap Wedge
A gap wedge bridges the gap between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. This is because it has a loft angle of between 52-54 degrees and is designed to perform well on mid to short shots.
Sand Wedge
A sand wedge is designed for use in the sand or when you need to hit bunker shots onto the green. This will help you to achieve good distance and spin, which is important if you want to avoid getting stuck in the sand.
Lob Wedge
Finally, a lob wedge will assist you when you want to hit the ball high into the air onto the green from a short distance. The loft on a lob wedge is around 60-64 degrees, making it a valuable tool if you have a hazard you want to avoid.
Best Wedges for High Handicappers & Beginners In 2023
Below we cover the best wedges for high handicappers & beginners in 2023. In addition, we provide features and benefits so that you can compare and choose the best wedge for your needs.
Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge
If both forgiveness and spin is what you are looking for in a wedge, then the Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge should be top of your list. It has excellent performance at the sweet spot, which should help to improve your approach game.
Their tour zip grooves give plenty of spin, which should be useful for beginners and high handicappers who need to be able to control the ball around the green.
To add to this, the forgiving design with a cavity back should help you to get away with some of the bad shots that might result from a lack of experience. Furthermore, the center of gravity with this wedge will give a comfortable feel that is easy to hit so that you can make solid contact at impact.
These factors combined contribute to the Cleveland CBX Wedge being one of the best wedges for high handicappers on the market. They can also be great as you develop your game if you are looking for a mid handicapper wedge.
Wilson Harmonized Wedge
If you’re looking to save money on your wedge for high handicappers, then the Wilson Harmonized wedge is a good option for a budget-conscious golfer. It is a mid-level wedge that offers plenty of back spin to help you reduce your scores on the golf course.
Both performance and budget are two key considerations for beginner golfers, but with this wedge, you’ll find it to be forgiving and easy to use without breaking the bank.
At this price point, you can’t go wrong when looking for the best beginner wedge.
Read our full Wilson Harmonized Wedge review here
Callaway Mack Daddy 5 Jaws
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
With a versatile bounce and a jaws design with the groove, this is one of the best wedges for beginners and all-around golfers alike. In addition, it features the tour grind sole design which creates excellent back spin on contact and can help you to improve your scoring as a backspin wedge.
It offers great performance around the green and on the fairway and can help new golfers improve. The Callaway Mack Daddy 5 Jaws wedge is a great option for any beginner golfer who doesn’t want to spend a fortune but wants something that is likely to perform well for the long term and is easy to hit.
Read our full Callaway Jaws MD5 Wedge Review here
Cleveland RTX 4
This wedge is a great option if you’re looking for something to grow into as your game improves. If you are committed to your game, it can be a mainstay in your bag for many years. The RTX 4 has a lot to offer and is one of the most popular wedges among high handicappers and more experience.
This is a versatile wedge thanks to the fact it offers progressive shaping. This allows golfers to use it in various playing conditions, which is something that you might not be able to get with other golf wedges on the market.
No matter which loft option you choose, you’ll be able to gain extra performance thanks to the Cleveland RTX 4 wedge.
PING Glide 3.0
If distance control is something that you struggle with in your short game, then this is a wedge that you definitely need in your bag. It offers excellent spin and feel for the ball with precise short game shots, which should help you to get the shot you want out of your wedge.
To add to this, it comes with a range of sole grinds and bounce options to help you find something just right for your game.
Additionally, if forgiveness is something that you desire, you won’t be disappointed with PING’s Glide 3.0 wedge performance. It has a strong build that will be a great asset for improving your game.
Mizuno T20
With a range of finishes, this is a great wedge for any golfer starting. It is an excellent option if you are interested in having something that looks good and performs well too.
The Mizuno T20 Wedge offers a soft feel that will help beginners to feel comfortable when they hit the ball towards and around the green. In addition, having a wedge that you can trust in your hands will help you perform well with a high degree of comfort.
Pinemeadow Wedge
As a cheap, yet forgiving wedge, this is a great option for high handicappers. It offers excellent performance all across the club and can give you confidence over your shots from within 125 yards of the flag.
Obviously, you won’t quite get the top level performance at this price point that you may see with other wedges. However, it is still a decent performer and should suit any amateur golfer well.
What makes the Pinemeadow wedge one of the best golf wedges for beginners is that not only do you save money compared to other brands, but it has a lot of performance for the money and will actively improve your game and scores on the golf course.
Read our full Pinemeadow Wedge review here
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Different Wedges & Their Loft Degrees?
There are different types of wedges that you can carry with varying degrees of loft. These range from pitching wedges to gap wedges, sand wedges, and lob wedges.
In terms of the degrees of loft, a pitching wedge will carry a loft of 46-48 degrees, whereas a lob wedge will carry a loft of between 60-64 degrees. The type of shot that you will typically use each of these wedges for depends on their loft. A lob wedge will be used for chipping and to save shots around the green, whereas a pitching wedge will be used for more pitch shots.
How Far Should A Wedge Travel?
Each golfer will carry the ball at different distances. Depending on which wedge you’re hitting, the distance that it will travel on a full swing is between 70 and 150 yards depending on the wedge and skill level of the golfer.
Beginners might struggle to hit the ball over 70 yards using a wedge as this will typically require more clubhead speed than they are able to generate. However, some advanced golfers and professionals can carry wedge distances further with a pitching wedge travelling up to 150 yards on a full swing.
Why Are Wedges Important?
Wedges play a crucial role in scoring in a typical round of golf. They are used on the approach shots, and they can help you save shots around the greens as you look to approach the flag.
Golfers often focus on their long game off the tee and neglect their short game. However, you must practice consistently to get good with your wedges to help lower your scores as they can help you hit the ball nearer to the pin more consistently.
How Many Wedges Should I Carry?
There is often debate about how many wedges a golfer should carry in their bag. Some golfers will have as many as four different types of wedges, while others may only carry two or three.
Some golfers might only carry two or three due to the versatility of different wedges. For example, a player may carry one pitching wedge and one sand wedge in order to free up space in their bag.
How Does A Lob Wedge And A Sand Wedge Differ?
The difference between a sand wedge and a lob wedge is that a lob wedge is designed to be more lofted and provide you with the ability to hit higher shots. As a result, this makes it ideal for hitting over greens close to bunkers or on hills.
The loft of a sand wedge is around 56 degrees whereas a lob wedge can carry a lot of up to 64 degrees.
Final Thoughts
In summary of the best wedges for high handicappers and beginners, wedges are an important aspect of your game, so it is worth taking the time to get the right wedge setup for you. They can help you get the ball closer to the flag, and if you have confidence in your wedges, it can be a real game-changer during a round, especially when you want a wedge that can perform on chip shots.
As you can see, there are a range of choices available that make our list. These range from the Callaway Mack Daddy 5 Jaws to the Cleveland RTX 4 that can help you to reach your goals.
Understanding the differences between each wedge will allow you to make the right choice when it comes to the best wedge for you. By making the right choice, you will improve your short game and hopefully start lowering your scores.
If you are looking for improvements in other areas of your golf game then you may also choose to consider the top beginner drivers and the best starter golf set to ensure that your whole game has the best possible opportunity to flourish.
