Selecting a new wedge or set of wedges? We’re here to help with a guide to the best wedges out right now, plus advice on getting the right loft and bounce
Best Golf Wedges
While we all know how important a sharp short game can be to the outcome of our round, we perhaps don’t give enough thought to the wedges we use.
If you are serious about improving your performance from 100 yards and in, and most importantly around the greens, getting the best golf wedges for you cannot be understated in its importance.
There are a few key things you should consider though. For example what bounce angle will suit your action, and which lofts you’ll need, something that may depend on how many wedges you want to carry.
You should also have a think about what finish you want on your wedge because most models these days come in satin, chrome, black or other finishes. Additionally with some of the models below you can create a custom wedge too.
Joel Tadman tests out the latest wedges out on the golf course and picks his favourites
We’ve recently tested the best golf wedges currently available, and these are our picks of the best. All the wedges here have been reviewed by our team, which means testing over multiple rounds out on the course, and this guide is updated on a regular basis to make sure it includes the latest releases.
If you are looking to upgrade your wedges, check out our additional guides on the most forgiving wedges, best lob wedges and best wedges for chipping.
Best Golf Wedges
Titleist Vokey SM8 Wedge
KEY INFO
Lofts: 46 to 62 degrees Grind options: 6 (F, M, S, D, L, K) RRP: £160
Finishes: Five (Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel, Jet Black, Slate Blue, Raw)
+ More consistent direction and distance than SM7
+ Superb feel, versatility, spin and spec options
– Wide range of options means a fitting is essential
As you would expect the iconic Vokey is one of the best golf wedges on the market. Titleist says the SM8 is the most accurate and forgiving Vokey wedge to date, which is down to a forward shift of the CG to a position that actually hovers in front of the wedge face.
This boosts MOI (up to a 7 per cent increase in the higher lofts) producing a more solid feel, improved ball flight and a club face that wants to square up at impact for more consistent results – which has been achieved by lengthening the hosels and counterbalancing that weight with high-density tungsten low in the toe.
The patented Spin Milled grooves remain but there are lots more wedge options to choose from now.
Golfers can select from six Tour-proven sole grinds – F, S, M, K, L and D, as well as five finishes – Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel, Jet Black, Slate Blue, plus the tour-preferred Raw finish (custom order only).
In testing, we found the SM8 wedges produced more consistent direction and distance than SM7 without sacrificing the solid feel, versatility and aggressive spin control we come to expect from Vokey wedges.
- Read our full Titleist Vokey SM8 Wedge Review
Callaway Jaws Mack Daddy 5 Wedge
KEY INFO
Lofts: 46-64 degrees Grind options: Five (S, W, C, X, L-W)
Finishes: Three (Platinum Chrome, Tour Grey, Custom) RRP: £149
+ Soft feel and exceptional spin control
+ Wide variety of loft and sole grind options
– Some may prefer a straighter, longer leading edge for easier alignment
The Jaws MD5 wedges are constructed from 8620 mild carbon steel and the Centre of Gravity (CG) of the wedges is precisely placed to create a soft, crisp feel.
A big focus has also been on the shape of the wedge, with Roger Cleveland using his 23 years of experience to create a profile that is appealing from all angles.
Anyone going through a fitting process – which is a must given the wide variety of loft and grind options – can be certain that they are equipped with the best possible tools to hit those scoring shots into and around the greens.
- Read our full Callaway Jaws MD5 Wedge Review
Ping Glide 3.0 Wedge
KEY INFO
Lofts: 46-60 degrees Grind options: Four (SS, WS, TS, Eye2)
Finishes: One (Grey) RRP: £130
+ Extra sole grind options offers greater versatility
+ Improved distance control
– No extra spin of note over Glide 2.0
With a tag line of ‘modern tradition’, Ping’s new Glide 3.0 wedges attempt to bring together classic looks and up-to-date performance.
Visually, they do this through a clean, rounded head profile with a tapered hosel and a little more offset to provide better ball capture.
Competitive performance comes from the five per cent increase in forgiveness over the Glide 2.0 model and we also liked the Hydropearl 2.0 finish which helps repel water and reduces friction through the turf for cleaner strikes.
The latest model might not tempt anyone already playing with Glide 2.0, but they are a comprehensive offering nonetheless.
Whilst they are undoubtedly one of the most forgiving wedges out there, Glide 3.0 wedges cover more than enough loft, bounce and grind options to suit all player types.
- Read our full Ping Glide 3.0 Wedge Review
Cleveland RTX ZipCore Wedge
KEY INFO
Lofts: 46-62 degrees Grind options: Three (Low, Mid, Full)
Finishes: Three (Tour Satin, Black Satin, Tour Raw) RRP: £139
+ Impressive forgiveness on full shots
+ Plenty of loft and grind options
– Better players may prefer to see a straighter leading edge
The RTX is Cleveland’s tour-driven wedge family, designed for better players seeking feel, versatility and spin control in a traditional look.
The foundation of the RTX ZipCore wedge, which replaces RTX 4, is a unique core at the heart of the muscleback design that is four times lower density than the steel head it lies within.
This frees up 10-15g of weight, along with the shape of the head, to make the sweetspot better aligned with impact location by shifting the centre of gravity away from the hosel.
We found the RTX ZipCore to be a surprisingly user-friendly muscleback wedge that puts control at the heart of the performance, which also made it worthy of inclusion in our best gap wedges guide too because the control on offer allows it to blend well with irons.
Meanwhile, the sole grinds ensure golfers have the versatility to play the shots that come most comfortable to them around the greens.
- Read our full Cleveland RTX ZipCore Wedge Review
Honma T//World Wedge
KEY INFO
Lofts: 48-60 degrees Grind options: Two (I, C)
Finish: One (Grey) RRP: £149
+ Looks and feels great
+ Variety of sole shapes available
– Compact shape may be intimidating for some
One of the finest looking wedges on the market, Honma’s T//World wedges, pack a compact look at address which will suit the better golfers looking for a thinner top line.
The thinner top line is not to say these wedges are unforgiving, in fact Honma have added aluminium back inserts to improve the CG location and make these wedges more forgiving from off-centre hits.
When we tested the T//World wedge, we loved how consistent the ball flights were with the 52° wedge, ideal for a club you’ll be using for full shots more often.
There are three sole shapes available too, allowing you to custom fit these to suit your swing or turf conditions you most commonly play on.
The C-SOLE, which is across the 56°, 58° and 60° wedges, has a thicker design on the upper portion of the head for greater versatility and we loved using these around the green.
- Read our full Honma T//World Wedge Review
Mizuno T20 Wedge
KEY INFO
Lofts: 45-62 degrees Grind options: Three (S, M, C)
Finish: Four (Satin, Blue, Raw, Custom) RRP: £140
+ High levels of spin even in damp conditions
+ Soft feel and consistent flight
– Thick topline may not please the eye of the better player
Mizuno has brought back its T-Series of wedges in the form of the T20 which has a classic teardrop profile made from 1025E carbon steel for enhanced greenside feel.
To ensure consistency and predictability in the scoring zone, each head features precise CNC-milled grooves and is mechanically milled to the highest possible tolerances after Grain Flow Forging to ensure a perfectly flat striking face and consistent levels of spin.
The wedges are available in three different finishes – two plated models (Satin Chrome and Blue ION) plus a RAW and ready-to-rust option. We are sure you agree, in terms of clean looks, the T20 is one of the best golf wedges on this list.
Having tested the wedges, we’re confident they will appeal to players who prioritise a soft feel.
Golfers of all levels will enjoy the consistency and control it provides when trying to attack the flag and get up-and-down.
- Read our full Mizuno T20 Wedge Review
Callaway Jaws Full Toe Wedge
KEY INFO
Lofts: 54-64 degrees Grinds: One (C Grind)
Finishes: Two (Raw Chrome or Raw Black) RRP: £159
+ Provides excellent control
+ High levels of versatility
– Triangular in shape. Won’t look pristine over a long period.
Brought in to replace the PM Grind wedge, the Jaws Full Toe combines four distinct technologies that create as much spin as possible.
Callaway’s Jaws grooves have been extended all the way across the face to provide spin anywhere that the golfer makes contact.
Callaway has also added a raw face for the first time in a wedge and, coupled with offset groove-in-groove technology, the wedges are said to give golfers the spin and control needed to approach any shot with confidence.
The Full Toe shape and a specialised C-Grind is said to make bunker shots, high flop shots, and short pitches and chips easier to hit from a multitude of lies around the course.
The Jaws Toe Pad pushes the CG higher, creating a lower, more controlled trajectory ideal for improved control on full wedge shots.
- Read our full Callaway Jaws Full Toe Wedge Review
TaylorMade Milled Grind 3 Wedge
KEY INFO
Lofts: 46-60 degrees Grinds: Four (Low, standard, high, TW)
Finishes: Two (chrome and black) RRP: £149
+ High levels of spin
+ Traditional shaping
– Arguably lacks versatility for the more creative golfers
Raw face technology means the wedges have an un-plated surface material that rusts over time to maintain consistently high spin generation in wet conditions.
TaylorMade has also added Raised Micro-Ribs between the grooves to aid spin and precision around the greens. This is because the abrasive surface further enhances the friction between the ball and the clubface.
The Milled Grind Sole process continues with each leading edge and sole grind being individually CNC milled for accuracy.
There are three bounce options – low standard and high – for versatility with a more aggressive TW (Tiger Woods) grind available in the 56°.
- Read our full TaylorMade Milled Grind 3 Wedge Review
Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge
KEY INFO
Lofts: 46-60 degrees Grind options: Two (Full, W)
Finishes: One (Grey) RRP: £119
+ Ideal to accompany a cavity back set of irons
+ Full face grooves on higher lofts are great out of bunkers
– Not as soft feeling as some wedges
This is a great wedge for the mid to high handicapper looking for a more user-friendly experience around the green without losing too much spin and feel.
From behind, you can see how these wedges mimic a cavity back iron so, if you use a set of cavity back irons already, it can be a great idea to mirror that in your wedges so you don’t suddenly suffer from the loss of forgiveness.
That means the Mack Daddy CB is great to use as a gap wedge where you’ll be using it for full shots to the green. On the higher lofts, the wedge has full face grooves with a lower leading edge to help open the club face confidently without feeling like you’re going to knife it.
If you’re after a soft feeling wedge to use on firm lies, look elsewhere. But, if you’re after a forgiving wedge that provides plenty of versatility and control, the Mack Daddy CB is a great option.
- Read our full Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge Review
Ping Glide Forged Pro Wedge
KEY INFO
Lofts: 50-62 degrees Grinds: Two (S and T)
Finshes: One (Chrome) RRP: £199
+ Compact shape frames the ball well
+ Exceptionally soft feel
– Lacks forgiveness off centre
The tour-inspired, high-spinning design is offered in two grind profiles and multiple loft options to fit players who rely on precision and control to shoot lower scores.
The smaller heel-to-toe head, which is forged from 8620 carbon steel, creates a captured look at address, giving players the confidence to manipulate the head to help execute any shot they are facing.
In combination with the precision-milled face and grooves, the new Emery face blast adds more texture to the hitting surface, creating higher friction and more interaction between the club and ball for more spin and a lower launch.
The 50° and 52° lofts feature wheel-cut grooves with a 20° sidewall to optimise performance on full shots commonly associated with gap wedges.
Meanwhile, the 54° to 62° options are milled with a 28° sidewall and tighter radius to provide more spin and precision on the finesse shots around the green and from the sand.
Two grind options in multiple lofts expand the offering to ensure a wedge choice is available for a wide range of golfers to match specific playing conditions and angle of attack.
- Read our full Ping Glide Forged Pro Wedge Review
TaylorMade Milled Grind 2 Wedge
mg2
KEY INFO
Lofts: 48-60 degrees Grinds: Three (Standard, Low, Tiger Woods)
Finish: Three (Chrome, Black, Custom) RRP: £149
+ Clean turf interaction
+ Ample spin creation with and soft feel
– Rusty look that builds over time won’t appeal to everyone
As seen in the bags of Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Tommy Fleetwood, the Milled grind 2.0 wedges go about creating more spin in an ingenious way – and they’re undoubtedly one of the best golf wedges on the market.
The MG2 features a patented Raw Face design, so while the rest of the wedge has either a satin chrome or matte black finish to maintain its premium look, the face is left untouched.
Additionally the face’s ZTP Raw grooves are sharper, deeper and narrower to maximise greenside spin while also conforming to the Rules of Golf. There’s also an extra groove on the face compared to the previous model. Both of these design features mean spin is easy to create thereby making this one of the best lob wedges you can buy.
This is a clever offering from TaylorMade and one, we believe, will appeal to a wide range of golfers.
We couldn’t prove with any certainty that the rusty face generated more spin or felt softer, but that’s not to say you won’t enjoy more success.
- Read our full TaylorMade Milled Grind 2.0 Wedge Review
Wilson Staff Model Wedge
KEY INFO
Lofts: 48-60 degrees Grind options: Two (Classic, Tour)
Finishes: One (Grey) RRP: £109
+ Consistent flight through the loft range
+ Super soft feel at impact
– Doesn’t generate as much spin as others
Wilson has revamped its short-game offerings with the introduction of the Staff Model and the Staff Model Hi Toe wedges
The Wilson Staff Model wedges have been constructed with soft-forged 8620 steel and machine-engraved scorelines to create Tour-calibre spin and control.
Meanwhile, the Hi Toe model combines a high toe and wide sole with a 431 stainless steel head and a precision-milled face for ultimate creativity around the green.
The scorelines also stretch right across the face to ensure consistent contact at impact, too.
- Read our full Wilson Staff Model Wedge Review
Cobra King Snakebite Wedge
KEY INFO
Lofts: 48-60 degrees Grind options: Three (Versatile, Classic, Wide Low)
Finishes: Two (Grey, One Length) RRP: £109
+ Full face and conventional grooves available
+ Three grinds on offer make these a great option to get custom fit for
– Fairly similar to the MIM wedges
Cobra’s most recent offering in the wedge market comes in the form of the Snakebite wedge, designed to provide more spin and ‘bite’ – see what they did there? – around the greens. It should come as no surprise then that this wedge also made our guide on the best wedges for chipping too.
As you can see, the overall shape of the wedge is very similar to Cobra’s MIM wedge – as seen above – but it is on the face where Cobra has worked its magic.
On the 48-54° lofts, where you’d be using the club with a square or de-lofted face to approach the green, the groove are a conventional length across the face but are narrower and deeper to optimise spin.
On the 56°, 58° and 60° wedges, the grooves are full face and are wider and shallower than the lower lofts to create more spin on the wedges you’d be using with an open blade around the green.
There are three grind options and lofts from 48° down to 60° and – especially with the different groove patterns down the set – the Snakebite wedges are ideal to get custom fit for a full set that can all do a very specific job in the bag.
Mizuno ES21 Wedge
KEY INFO
Lofts: 54-62 degrees Grind options: Two (Standard, Wide)
Finishes: One (Black) RRP: £155
+ Excellent spin that is maintained from wet lies
+ Surprisingly forgiving and consistent
– Unusual looking from multiple angles
Traditional wedge designs tend to have a sweet spot that is slightly towards the heel due to long wide hosels and high lofts, making it hard for many players to find consistency.
But the ES21 wedges feature a higher, more central sweet spot which delivers a squarer strike and greater levels of more controllable spin.
A multi-piece stainless steel construction features a hollow body for a higher and deeper centre of gravity that promotes more vertical gearing for increased spin, while the high toe and low heel keep the wedges extremely stable when the face is opened.
Hydroflow Micro Grooves, which are vertically etched, help release moisture and maintain spin even in damp conditions.
- Read our full Mizuno ES21 Wedge Review
TaylorMade Hi-Toe Raw Wedge
KEY INFO
Lofts: 50-62 degrees Grind options: Two (Standard, Low)
Finishes: One (Aged Copper)
+ Obvious added control on open-faced shots around the green
+ Ample versatility and feel
– Relatively high bounce won’t suit everyone’s technique
The Hi-Toe’s full-face scoring lines ensure consistent ball contact out of the rough, while the high bounce leading edge and channel cut midsole make for cleaner turf.
The sole cavity features three trapezoid-shaped pockets that optimise weight distribution, which in turn enhances the wedge’s feel.
The Hi-Toe Raw builds on the success of the original Hi-Toe wedge by adding an expanded toe area and adding grooves which now have score lines between them.
Toegther, these things have really helped maximise the spin on offer and also. makes it one of the most forgiving wedges we have tested.
Additionally, we found it really easy to flight, which is obviously important when playing fuller shots and dealing with any sort of wind that my be blowing. Available in a wide range of bounces, golfers will also be able to pick the option that suits their specific swing and course they play.
TaylorMade Hi-Toe Raw Big Foot Wedge
Image credit: TaylorMade
KEY INFO
Lofts: 56-60 degrees Grind options: One (High Bounce)
Finishes: One (Aged Copper)
+ Forgiving through the ground and on off-centre strikes on full shots
+ Makes bunker shots much easier
– Limited scope to manoeuvre the clubface
To go along with the Hi-Toe Raw, TaylorMade have also revamped the game-improvement Big Foot model to add the Raw face.
This features an asymmetric C-Grind sole which, at 32mm wide, is flatter and wider than most traditional wedges along with an anti-dig leading edge that enhances playability from the rough and makes it one of the best sand wedges to consider.
We believe the majority of golfers, especially higher handicappers, will enjoy what the Hi-Toe Big Foot offers and may well wish it came in more loft options to create a full set.
Ping Glide Forged Wedge
KEY INFO
Lofts: 50-60 degrees Grind options: One (Standard)
Finishes: One (Grey) RRP: £200
+ Eye-catching look on the shelf
+ Excellent spin control
– Premium price may be a stumbling block for some
This compact, tour-inspired model features a 13g Tungsten toe weight for feel and stability, a more rounded lead edge with more heel and toe camber and Ping’s Hydropearl Chrome 2.0 finish, which is more durable and produces more consistent shots from the rough.
It comes in six lofts from 50° to 60° with one bounce per loft, so 10° up to the 56° then 8° of bounce for the two lob wedges.
It definitely has a smaller address profile than the Glide 2.0 and we liked how tight the grooves are to the leading edge, plus the milling on the back gives it a unique look.
One for the skilled golfers, we found it delivered impressive results on all fronts: control, versatility and soft feel.
- Read our full Ping Glide Forged Wedge Review
Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge
KEY INFO
Lofts: 46-60 degrees Grind options: Three (V, S, C)
Finishes: One (Grey) RRP: £119
+ Sky high levels of forgiveness
+ Surprisingly versatile given the wide sole
– Limited finish options available
The second iteration of Cleveland’s CBX wedge has been designed with a clear objective: to provide more spin, control and forgiveness for the everyday player.
This has been attempted with several pieces of technology including Rotex Face Technology to provide sharp grooves and more spin, a Hollow-Cavity design to improve forgiveness and Cleveland’s Face Balancing Technology to enhance feel.
We believe that the more inconsistent player will accept the larger head size because of the forgiveness it offers – plus it’s a good deal cheaper compared to most wedges.
- Read our full Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge Review
Cobra King MIM Wedge
Image credit: Cobra
KEY INFO
Lofts: 50-60 degrees Grind options: Two (Classic, Wide Low)
Finishes: Four (Grey, Black, One Length, Custom)
+ Address profile will appeal to all handicaps
+ Excellent value for money
– Slightly more clicky sound at impact than others
The new Cobra MIM wedges are the first in golf to feature a fully Metal-Injection-Molded (MIM) 304 stainless steel head construction.
This process allows for the most precise shape possible for improved feel and turf interaction in every loft.
The King MIM wedges are also the first in golf to utilise a fully robotic polishing process where the robot is pre-programmed to polish each wedge to exact specifications.
This fully automated process eliminates variance in head weight and thickness and creates more precise grind shapes and more predictable bounce in each wedge.
What you need to consider when buying wedges
Gapping
Measure your current wedge yardages and how often you are in between clubs to help decide if you need to carry extra options.
Bounce
Low bounce wedges are more suited to hard fairways and tight lies, while high bounce wedges are better for softer ground conditions and bunkers.
The most bounce you will ever see on a wedge is about 18°, but it can be as low as 2°.
The type of bounce you opt for should largely depend on things like your normal angle of attack, the firmness of your fairways and the type of shots you like to hit around the greens.
Finish
Options like black PVD and copper are becoming increasingly common. The difference is mainly cosmetic; but dark finishes can help reduce glare.
Grooves
While grooves are now tightly regulated, it is still well worth keeping up to date with the latest designs, which use new milling processes and groove shapes to help move water and dirt away from the ball at impact to create extra spin and improve control.
If you enjoyed his guide on the best golf wedges then check out the Golf Monthly website.
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