Sam Tremlett
The wedges are your scoring clubs. Used on approach shots as well as around the greens they are a real difference maker; while the best putters can help you on the greens, you need to be within a holeable range if you want to add a birdie or two more to your score as well as getting up and down with greater regularity.
Like any club, you need to match your wedges with a number of factors, including your ability, your style of swings and the course conditions that you typically play. Many of us, regardless of our skill level, will reach first for a blade-style wedge. These could be right for you, but as a mid-hadicapper golfer it’s wise to look at more forgiving options too, especially if you play with a set of cavity back irons, rather than forged blades.
We’ve tested plenty of wedges from both camps and have selected our favorites here, all with a view to help you play better golf. If, after looking at this guide, you’re still undecided, then we also have detailed guides on the best wedges for forgiveness, best wedges for chipping as well as a post on what to consider when buying a wedge, where we go into more detail on bounce, grind and loft. .
Quick List
With an upgraded shaft and grip, the Callaway Opus Platinum is a gorgeous wedge that offers high levels of spin and low ball flight.
Subtle yet effective changes have been made to the Vokey SM10 wedge over the previous model, such as higher spin and lower launch plus longer groove life and improved feel. Multiple grind options are available in the range.
The TaylorMade Hi-Toe 4 is a sleek, refined and versatile wedge available in a range of grind and bounce options to suit a diverse range of golfers. The Spin Tread technology also enhance control from the rough.
The Cleveland CBZ wedges could be the solution for those wanting a little more assistance without sacrificing feel and spin performance. The larger head and wider sole will promote confidence down behind the ball and forgiveness on full shots for those that struggle with a wedge in hand.
The Ping S159 wedges look as good as any other on the market and have the performance to match. The spin produced when chipping and pitching was exceptional and they also produced a strong consistent ball flight when firing from a little further out.
Mid Handicappers will love the forgiveness and spin on offer from the new Sugar Daddy III wedge that makes significant improvements from the previous model.
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The shallow cavity-back design allows for a little more forgiveness on full swings and the slightly longer blade length will inspire confidence in those who need it while still appealing to the better golfer.
The MG5 is one of the best-looking and feeling wedges released over the last year. The soft carbon steel offers extreme levels of feel, proving precise distance control, and the newly refined shaping looks fantastic down behind the ball.
The Wilson Staff Model wedge looks very classic behind the ball and delivers a lovely soft feel at impact. It was stable and went through the turf nicely on full shots and offered a good amount of versatility and finesse around the greens.
Best Golf Wedge For Mid Handicapper
Callaway Opus Platinum Wedge
There's plenty of things to consider when purchasing a new wedge, does it look good, does it perform well from different lies and how forgiving is it? Well the new Callaway Opus Platinum performs well in just about every way.
Right out of the box, we noticed that the Opus Platinum wedges certainly feel a little more solid and crisp through impact compared to the standard Opus model. This is thanks to the technology within, such as the bonded tungsten strip that sits high in the top line to create a higher CG, and therefore lower the ball flight for more distance control. This replaces the tungsten holes that were seen in the back of the Jaws Raw wedges, which admittedly we weren't huge fans of.
In testing, creating spin was no issue, thanks to the Spin Gen Face Technology. That said, if you already hit the ball fairly low with your wedges, we'd suggest slightly higher lofts if you choose to purchase the Opus Platinum wedges. We did find the ball flight, particularly on three-quarter shots was a little too low for our liking but and our tester tends to hit the ball fairly high as standard.
- Read our full Callaway Opus Platinum Wedge Review
Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedge
Titleist’s Vokey SM10 models are the most popular wedges in the professional game, with this latest iteration solidifying their reputation as one of the best wedges money can buy.
While visually they retain much the same look as the previous SM9 model, there are a number of differences, albeit subtle ones. In the stronger lofts the wedges are smaller, with a straighter leading edge, while the higher lofts are a little larger and more rounded. We’re big fans of the progressive shaping approach.
Bob Vokey set out to create a wedge that delivered a lower ball flight than the SM9, while adding spin and improving feel. For us, he succeeded. During our testing our ball flew lower and spun more, allowing us to attack tight pins with confidence as well as control our distances more accurately in general. In part this is likely down to the new hand-cut TX9 grooves and the use of a micro-texture between them, which adds friction and thus spin.
The progressive shaping, lower ball flight and added spin add up to noticeable improvements on a product that was already impressive and regarded by many as the industry leading wedge.
- Read our full Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedge Review
TaylorMade Hi-Toe 4 Wedge
The TaylorMade Hi-Toe 4 wedge is followed on from the TaylorMade Hi-Toe 3 Wedge, TaylorMade Hi-Toe Big Foot and the TaylorMade Hi-Toe Raw.
Like these models, it comes in a distinctive copper finish that’s combined with a raw face, designed to help reduce glare on sunny days. There’s also a colored groove to aid alignment, something we found really helpful.
In play, we’re impressed with the high levels of spin generated, whether from clean lies or from the rough. The full-face grooves are the same as its MG4 model, which we regard as a wedge that’s capable of plenty of spin. There’s also some laser etching on the face, which is designed to eliminate moisture from the face when playing from wet grass, as well as combining with the grooves to create more friction.
The rounded shape makes for a more rounded leading edge. If you prefer something a little straighter in your wedges it might not fit your eye, but in general the shape adds to its versatility and makes it a good match for a pretty wide spectrum of players, with grind options available to suit your attack angle and turf conditions.
- Read our full TaylorMade Hi-Toe 4 Wedge Review
Cleveland CBZ Wedge
The new CBZ wedges from Cleveland fall squarely into the more forgiving category. They have a larger, rounded profile compared to a bladed wedge, which should generate plenty of confidence for those who need it.
Around the greens that rounded leading edge means that you get creative depending on the lie, either opening the face, playing it square, or toeing it in a little, all the time feeling like you’re going to make solid contact. That said, the wide sole isn’t so well suited to firmer lies, where the 12° of bounce made it a little tricky to slide the club under the ball.
Another confidence booster is the use of a full-face groove design, which combined with the large sweet spot that’s positioned more towards the toe, makes hitting full shots a forgiving experience. For us this translated to a pretty tight dispersion, with the ball rarely ever coming up more than five yards short of our intended target, even on off-center strikes.
However, despite the cavity back design, the feel isn’t too dissimilar to a forged blade, which we put down to the Gelback TPU insert and the Z-Alloy metal that Cleveland uses in its premium wedges; the CBZ also features the brand’s Hydrazip technology that’s designed to manage moisture on the face.
Fitting their forgiving profile, the CBZs have a higher launch than say a Vokey SM10, which is a good match for those who struggle with their wedges. Even on firmer turf, we saw plenty of height and spin resulting in soft landing shots.
In short, if you want the soft feel of a forged bladed wedge but struggle with a consistent strike then the Cleveland CBZ models are worthy of your consideration.
- Read our full Cleveland CBZ Wedge Review
Ping S159 Wedge
The Ping S159 is aimed at low to mid-handicappers. Certainly it’s clean looks will appeal to those who like an unfussy, classic wedge, and if you play a set of blades they will merge with your set nicely. That said, the profile is a little larger than a Vokey SM10, so if you want all of the above but also a little boost of confidence at address then you’ll like what you see.
Out on the course we were impressed with Ping’s ability to deliver a soft feel - thanks in part to the vibration dampening slot in the back of the head - while still providing plenty of feedback on the strike. On fuller shots we saw a mid-to-high ball flight with bags of consistency. Around the greens the spin levels increased, allowing us to fly the ball further towards the pin when needed. Combined it made for a wedge that was easy to predict and thus trust.
Another bonus is the use of Ping's WebFit Wedge App, where you can complete a short questionnaire, with the results offering you two grind options to suit your game.
All told, the S159 is a great addition to Ping’s Glide 4.0 and Glide Forged models.
- Read our full Ping S159 Wedge Review
PXG Sugar Daddy III Wedge
The Sugar Daddy III wedges look uber-premium straight out of the box. It's a slightly more refined look than what was on offer with the previous Sugar Daddy II wedges. The chrome finish really pops but it's worth noting that after just 18 holes of testing I noticed the heads were marking up fairly easily, which was a little disappointing to see.
There are heaps of spin control on offer here thanks to extensive forging of the face grooves and the CNC milling undertaken during production. Not only does this club look inviting at address, it's both soft and smooth through the strike on both full shots and shorter chip shots.
We particularly enjoyed the BP grind during testing - we found it ultra-forgiving, mimicking the performance of some of the most forgiving wedges thanks to the higher bounce and wide sole. As with most PXG clubs, we'd recommend a custom fitting to do justice to the price you're paying - it'll almost guarantee better results whether you're getting a driver or a wedge fitted.
- Read our full PXG Sugar Daddy III Wedge Review
Mizuno Pro T-3 Wedge
The T3 wedge is unmistakably a Mizuno product. Visually it's clean and elegant, despite the cavity back design. But more importantly it also has the soft feel that’s become a signature of the brand’s irons. It achieves this by using the same Grain Flow Forged HD technology and 1025 pure select milled carbon steel with copper underlay as the Mizuno Pro T-1 wedges, which are aimed at more skilled players.
After hitting just a few full shots it became clear that the shallow cavity back, along with a longer blade length, delivers the added forgiveness that the bladed T-1 lacks. The club felt incredibly stable through impact, while aiding confidence at address. It’s all done subtly though, helped in part by the T-3 retaining the teardrop profile of the T-1, which means that it's easy to match the wedges with irons from the Pro line up.
Another feature carried over are the new Quad Cut+ grooves, which are designed to reduce moisture on the clubface and deliver high, consistent spin in wetter conditions. Certainly we found that the T-3 wedge performed well out of the rough.
The Pro T-3 does lack a little for options, with just three grinds available, but you should still be able to match these with the turf conditions that you typically face.
- Read our full Mizuno Pro T-3 Wedge Review
TaylorMade MG5 Wedge
While being a big fan of the previous MG4 model, we had high hopes for the new MG5, anticipating that it might find a place among best wedges of 2025. And it didn’t disappoint.
First up, the shape is an upgrade from the MG4 wedges. The leading edge is noticeably rounder, which really pays dividends when you’re opening your face. Unlike with the MG4, the leading edge now sits beautifully behind the ball, giving you the feeling that you can really slide the club under the ball. The top line is also more curved, with a more aesthetically appealing flow into the hosel than before.
The real headline though is the softer feel that the forged carbon steel delivers. ‘Soft’ should translate to greater feel and control, and for us it delivered just this. The ball feels as though it's in contact with the face forever, allowing us to quickly dial in our distance control on both pitches and chips. Some of this added control is also down to the new Saw-Milled groves, which TaylorMade says have steeper walls and a sharper radius, both designed to generate more spin.
In terms of numbers, we hit 10 50-yard pitches with the 54° wedge and saw our spin rate fall between 7625rpm and 8274rpm, while our launch angle remained in a solid window at around 27/28°
Another feature of the MG5 wedges is the Spin Tread tech. It’s designed to deal with moisture on the club face by dispersing water, which typically reduces spin and control. While we didn’t get to test the wedges in truly wet conditions we detected only the smallest drop off in spin when playing out the rough, which suggests that the technology works.
While the bladed nature of the MG5 means that they are better suited to skilled player, in the lower lofts at least, we;’d suggest that the versatility that the new shapes offers makes the higher loft options, which will be used predominately around then greens, a good fit for many mid-handicappers.
- Read our full TaylorMade Milled Grind 5 Wedge Review
Wilson Staff Model Wedge
Wilson is well-known for its irons, but its wedges often get overlooked. Well, Wilson has revamped its short-game offerings with the introduction of the Staff Model and the Staff Model Hi Toe wedges.
One of the best Wilson golf clubs on the market, 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, making this a great wedge for chipping.
- Read our full Wilson Staff Model Wedge Review
How we test wedges
When it comes to wedges, we take the testing process very seriously. Whether we are sent a product or buy it ourselves, we put everything through its paces to ensure we can provide thorough and reliable advice. Every member of the Golf Monthly team is an avid golfer and as such, knows what does and doesn't make for a good wedge.
As far as our methodology goes, we review all wedges properly, which means we have used each one across multiple rounds and in practice to assess every aspect of performance in all conditions. For example, if a wedge claims to be the ultimate chipping club, we will test that theory from any and all lies possible. Specific to this guide, we tested every club thoroughly to assess the level of spin, feel, turf interaction and how suitable they would be to a mid-handicap golfer. We were also keen to find out how forgiving each model was and if there were any differences in flight. Our comprehensive testing methodology is not just exclusive to wedges as we test with the same level of thoroughness across all categories of golf gear and equipment.
What you need to consider when buying wedges
It is important to get the wedge that suits your abilities and swing style, and for that reason, we've put together the below list of considerations that will help you find the right gap wedge for your swing.
1. Gapping
Measure your current wedge yardages and how often you are in between clubs to help decide if what clubs you want to carry. Golfers will typically have around three wedges in their bag which will include a lob wedge, sand wedge and a pitching wedge but many also like to carry a gap wedge too.
2. 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.
3. Forgiveness
Particularly if you are a beginner or a high-handicapper, a more forgiving sand wedge can help you become much more clinical around the greens. When looking for more forgiving wedges, look out for clubs that have cavity-backed heads, wedges that have a center of gravity closer to the sole and wedges that have a higher MOI to improve the quality and consistency of shots your hitting. For more information on wedges that can help you hit consistently sweeter golf shots.
4. 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.
5. Testing
At Golf Monthly, we recommend players take the time to test a variety of different wedges at a club fitting. As they can come in a variety of lofts, grinds and bounce degrees, it is important to ascertain which type of wedges can help you perform the best depending on your swing and the type of terrain you're playing on.
For more advice on the types of wedges you may also want to add to your bag, take a look at our guides on the best lob wedges, best sand wedges and best pitching wedges.
FAQs
What degree wedges should a mid-handicapper carry?
While this is subjective to your playing style, mid-range handicappers should generally carry three wedges. Those include a pitching wedge of around 46º in loft, a gap wedge set at 50º in loft and finally a sand wedge at 54º in loft. You can also carry a lob wedge at 60º in loft which can provide assistance from trickier lies on the course.
Who is a mid-handicapper in golf?
Mid-handicappers are usually players with a handicaps between 10 and 21. They are typically quite experienced golfers who play on a regular basis, looking to break into single figures.
Should mid-handicappers use a lob wedge?
Absolutely, if you feel it might improve your game. It's advisable to carry three wedges, with the classic three being a sand wedge, pitching wedge and a gap wedge. That combination covers a good range of yardages and allows you to hit shots from a variety of lies. The addition of a lob wedge does extend the range of yardages, but does allow you to hit higher lofted shots from different terrains.
