We take a closer look at the best gap wedges currently on the market
Best Gap Wedges
Getting the best golf wedges for you is vitally important. Why? Well in case you’ve not heard, wedges are your ‘scoring clubs’. Getting up and down more often will save precious shots and there is also the question of gapping which is important to get right.
What does this mean?
Put it this way: if you have no idea how far you hit each wedge, and if you have big yardage gaps in your bag, it’s going to make getting up-and-down much more difficult. The best gap wedges will slot neatly in between the lofts of your pitching wedge and sand wedge.
When you buy a new set of irons, more often than not you don’t get a full set of wedges. Some sets will only include a ‘PW’, so you need to ask yourself the question: what loft is my pitching wedge?
You might get a sand wedge (SW) with the set – what’s important is that you know the loft of your wedges and, crucially, how far you hit them.
Related: What To Consider When Buying A Wedge
This makes a gap wedge important because it fills the gap between the pitching wedge and sand wedge. They typically have a loft between 50° and 54° and to help you narrow your search below are a selection of the best gap wedges on sale right now.
Alternatively if you are in the market for a different type of wedge, then take a look at our guides on the best lob wedges, best sand wedges, or if you are new to the game, the best golf wedges for beginners.
Best Gap Wedges
Cleveland RTX ZipCore Wedge
+ Surprisingly forgiving on full shots
+ Superb value for money at under £140
– Better players may want to see a straighter leading edge
Image credit: Cleveland
The Cleveland RTX ZipCore wedges are traditional in shape, progressing from iron-like in the lower lofts to being more rounded in the higher lofts.
Whilst some better players may want to see a straighter leading edge, the raised section at the top of the wedge is well hidden, so it still displays a thin topline that better players will enjoy.
Meanwhile, there’s plenty to like about the tour satin finish, which oozes class, and the performance on offer.
Despite the impressive levels of spin, full shots didn’t balloon through the air and distance control was very consistent, even when the strike wasn’t pure.
Cleveland RTX ZipCore Wedge Review
Mizuno T20 Wedge
+ Soft feel, consistent flight
+ High levels of spin even in damp conditions
– Not having the sole grind marked on the head is a little confusing
Image credit: Mizuno
Whilst the topline is noticeably thicker than most, especially in the lower lofts – which might not please the eye of the better player – this Grain Flow Forged T20 wedge felt solid and crisp.
The square, straight leading edge assisted with alignment and, along with the impressive off-centre forgiveness and precise CNC Milled grooves, helped produced consistent distances and a tight dispersion on full shots.
Callaway Jaws Mack Daddy 5 Wedge
+ Wide variety of loft and sole grind options
+ Both finishes bolster the premium appeal
– Some may prefer a straighter, longer leading edge for easier alignment
Image credit: Callaway
Not only is the Jaws MD5 one of the best gap wedges out there, but we believe that you’ll struggle to find a better all-around wedge offering because it has no obvious weakness.
These wedges really excels at creating spin on longer pitch shots and full shots where the extra speed generates backspin in excess of 11,000rpm in some cases.
Everyone will enjoy that buttery soft feel on all lengths of shot, which is down to the mild carbon steel used to create the heads, the muscleback design and the soft and tacky Lamkin UTX grip.
Callaway Jaws MD5 Wedge Review
Titleist Vokey SM8 Wedge
+ More stable feel than SM7
+ Plenty of versatility
– Over £450 for a set of three wedges is a big investment
Image credit: Titleist
Once you put Vokey wedges in the bag, there’s a good chance you’ll be a fan for life, so we’re always intrigued when the latest model comes out.
In testing, we found that they produced more consistent direction and distance than SM7 without sacrificing any of that solid feel, versatility and aggressive spin control, which has always been part of the Vokey package.
The fact these wedges have 23 loft and bounce options, along with six different sole grinds, makes the SM8 one of the best gap wedges to consider because Titleist can cover whatever gap you need to fill.
Titleist Vokey SM8 Wedge Review
Ping Glide 3.0 Wedge
+ Extra sole grind options provide greater versatility
+ Dyla-Wedge grip a useful addition
– No extra spin of note over Glide 2.0
Image credit: Ping
Ping’s Glide 3.0 is a very well considered offering, with four sole grinds to choose from.
In the lower lofts, we were particularly impressed with the stability they offered, as well as improved distance control over the Glide 2.0.
Our front-to-back dispersion with the 50° Glide 3.0 was tighter than with the Glide 2.0, and our accuracy wasn’t effected by the lighter feel, plus it felt as though it offered less friction with the ground.
Meanwhile, the Dyla-Wedge grip is a nice addition, providing useful reference points for those who like to grip down the club to achieve different carry distances.
TaylorMade Milled Grind 2 Wedge
+ Rusty look reduces sun glare
+ MyMG2 gives golfers the option to personalise their wedges
– Not everyone will enjoy the rusty look
Image credit: TaylorMade
The big story with TaylorMade’s MG 2.0 wedge is the raw rusty face, which develops over time to create more spin.
We weren’t able to tell much difference in testing, but other golfers may have more success – and there’s plenty more to like about this offering.
So far as playability is concerned, this has to be one of the best wedges on the market, especially when it comes to clean turf interaction from tight lies, which is where you’d be looking to use a gap wedge most often.
In summary, it’s a clever offering from TaylorMade, and one that will certainly appeal to the majority.
TaylorMade Milled Grind 2 Wedge Review
Cobra King Snakebite Wedge
+ Full face and conventional grooves available
+ Three grinds on offer make these a great option to get custom fit for
– Fairly similar to the Cobra MIM wedges
Cobra’s Snakebite wedges are available with conventional or full face grooves, depending on the lofts you go for.
For a gap wedge, you’ll want to be using the Snakebite with the conventional length grooves as you’ll be using it mostly for full approach shots with the club face square or even more closed at impact.
The grooves on the new Snakebite face – on 48°-54° lofts – are narrower and deeper than previous Cobra wedges to optimise spin from approach shots.
The three grind options available mean you’ll be able to find just the right fit for you gap wedge depending on your swing and the kind of turf you most commonly play on.
Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge
+ Extra forgiveness helps get full shots closer to the hole
+ Decent savings to be had considering £119 RRP
– Skilled golfers may feel it lacks versatility
Image credit: Cleveland
Given a great number of amateur golfers use cavity back irons, the CBX 2 is the type of wedge design lots of players should be using, but probably don’t.
Whilst skilled golfers may feel it lacks versatility, with the three sole grinds and loft range there is enough choice to create a wedge set-up that can execute all the shots you need.
Cleveland’s sister model, the RTX Zipcore, may attract the more accomplished wedge player, but there’s no doubt this forgiving model can help a pretty large range of golfers.
Ping Glide Forged Wedge
+ Eye-catching look on the shelf
+ Excellent spin control
– Premium product comes with a premium price
Image credit: Ping
If you’re in the market for a soft-feeling, versatile wedge, and on that offers high levels of spin control, Ping’s Glide Forged wedge is up there with the very best.
This is the ideal gap wedge if your irons are blades or similar and wouldn’t recommend this as a gap wedge to those who use cavity back irons.
Given the head’s modest size, the stability on offer is very impressive, as is the spin control from different lies.
There are no weaknesses of note, although the £200 RRP may prove a stumbling block for some golfers.
That said, the durability has certainly improved compared to Glide 3.0, thanks to the new finish being added.
Ping Glide Forged Wedge Review
Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge
+ Very forgiving and user-friendly
+ The longer stock grip allows you to choke down more easily
– Limited versatility because of wide sole
Image credit: Callaway
The Callaway Mack Daddy CB wedge, because it is aimed at the mid to high handicapper, is also one of the most forgiving wedges on sale at the moment, as well as being a solid gap wedge.
This is an ideal gap wedge to add to your set if you use cavity back irons, as this will give you same properties of forgiveness from full shots with a bit of a softer feel and more spin control.
With a wide sole, something which helps boost forgiveness levels, there is a compromise – and that’s less versatility.
For better players, there’s the Callaway Jaws MD5, but for those who want a little more margin for error, these wedges tick a lox of boxes.
We were really impressed with the spin control, with well struck shots from the fairway and sometimes the rough – stopping to attention on the second or third bounce.
Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge Review
This article Best Gap Wedges appeared first on Golf Monthly.