A razor sharp short game can be the key to maintaining the momentum of a round and getting us out of trouble, yet many golfers don’t give enough thought to the wedges they use. If you are serious about improving your performance around the greens and from 100 yards, the importance of getting the best golf wedges for you cannot be over-stated.
How do you know which wedges are best for you? Well there are a few key things you need to think about. For example, what bounce angle will suit your action, and which grinds and lofts you'll need. Lofts are especially importing for gapping in your bag and it will determine how many wedges you want to carry.
You should also have a think about what you like aesthetically as most wedges come in a variety of finishes, such as satin, chrome, black or a raw finish that will rust over time. There are performance benefits to the raw finish but not everyone will like a rusted faced club in their bag. So take a look at our selection of the best golf wedges on the market to help you hone your short-game skills and lower your scores.
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We’ve recently tested the best golf wedges currently available, and these are our picks. All the wedges here have been reviewed by our team, which means testing over multiple rounds out on the course, seeing how versatile they are and how well they spin the golf ball. This guide is updated on a regular basis to make sure it includes the latest releases and the best performing models.
The Quick list
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 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.
A great looking wedge that spins at a consistently high level regardless of conditions. A raw face is contrasted nicely by the outer body of the wedge to boost confidence behind the ball.
A brilliantly balanced wedge that has a high CG for easy trajectory and distance control while the hi-toe shape delivers forgiveness on shorter shots in particular.
The Callaway CB wedge is extremely forgiving, constructed for maximum ease of use and provided clean turf interaction from various lies.
The Cleveland CBX 4 Zipcore wedges are a really solid blend of performance and forgiveness. Predominantly at the mid-to-high handicap golfer, but better players looking for help in their short game should also consider them.
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The Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore wedge brings more forgiveness and wet-condition spin to the course in a classy looking head. Soft feeling and very high-performing.
A classic looking wedge that is designed to be extremely versatile and please golfers of all abilities. The compact head will certainly suit the eye of the better player.
Slotting into the Callaway Jaws wedge line-up is the new Raw edition. Designed by Roger Cleveland and said to feature the most aggressive grooves in golf.
Best Golf Wedges
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Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedge
Vokey wedges have long been considered the gold standard, offering premium looks, exceptional performance and market-leading versatility. Titleist has designed the new SM10 wedge to build on the huge success of the SM9 and Vokeys continue to be the most used wedges in professional golf. Last year on the PGA Tour, more than half the wedges put in play every week were Titleist Vokey Wedges, which is quite an incredible stat considering the wealth of quality on offer from other brands.
The aesthetics of the SM10s have changed very little at first glance, but there are a few subtle differences, such as progressive shaping which gives them a superb look at address in all loft options. The stronger lofted wedges are a little smaller in head shape compared to the more lofted wedges and feature a straighter leading edge in comparison to the sand and lob wedges in the line-up.
While the Vokey SM10 wedges offer only minor changes cosmetically, under the hood Bob Vokey and the engineers at Titleist have been hard at work to make these the best performing wedges they have ever created. They have been designed to fly slightly lower, spin more and have improved feel over SM9. In our testing this was confirmed as the SM10 did indeed fly lower and spin more than its predecessor.
- Read our full Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedge Review
Ping S159 Wedge
Ping has released some of the best wedges in recent times and the S159 wedges look to continue this trend, following on from the Glide 4.0 and Glide Forged models.
The S159 wedges are targeted towards the mid-low handicapped golfer and more confident ball striker who is looking for a classic looking wedge with the addition of some of the latest technology to help with performance.
These wedges blew our socks off in testing. The feel from the face, particularly with fuller shots, was soft and despite a vibration dampening slot placed on the back of the head, these wedges offered plenty of feedback. Shots had a really consistent, mid-high trajectory, which allowed us to attack pins and be really aggressive on full shots. Around the greens the Ping S159 wedges produced more spin on chip and pitch shots than any other wedge we've tested in the last year, without over-spinning on fuller wedge shots.
Ping have created the WebFit Wedge App which allows golfers to complete a questionnaire online (it takes less than two minutes) about their wedge game. Based on the answers the app will provide one or two grind options that will suit your game best so you know that you are playing the right grind and bounce options for your game, while avoiding the need to pay for a custom fitting!
- Read our full Ping S159 Wedge Review
TaylorMade MG4 Wedge
The MG4 is a great looking wedge that spins at a consistently high level regardless of conditions. A raw face is contrasted nicely by the outer body of the wedge to boost confidence behind the ball, while multiple bounce and loft options mean that golfers can get fully dialled in.
Raw face technology has become a real trend in wedges and the MG4 has an un-plated surface material that rusts over time to maintain consistently high spin generation in wet conditions. As with the Hi-Toe 3 mentioned above, TaylorMade has also added Raised Micro-Ribs between the grooves to aid spin and precision around the greens. Spin tread technology has also been implemented to push moisture away from impact to optimise spin and in our testing we found the spin on offer to be excellent.
There are now seven bounce options - low standard and high, LBV, SBC and HBW along with the TW grind. From a looks perspective, we really liked these wedges in both the chrome and the black finishes. The profile is very traditional and the wedges are progressive through the lofts in lots of ways - hosel length, toe height, blade length, and offset.
- Read our full TaylorMade Milled Grind 4 Wedge Review
TaylorMade Hi-Toe 3 Wedge
With its aged copper finish this wedge looks incredible. Looking down at address or even just looking at it sitting in the bag, the Hi-Toe 3 is a feast for the eyes and will blend in with the Raw face as it rusts over time.
In testing we were impressed with the spin of offer which we put down to the raised micro-ribs which are positioned between the grooves. These add texture to the face for increased friction and more spin around the green, and we could really feel this at work as we were able to hit those low, spinny chips, even with a lob wedge.
Full-face grooves on wedges of 54° and higher provide more forgiveness and spin even on off-center strikes, while the taller toe design is particularly useful when you need to open the face in the bunker or the rough. Ultimately, this is a brilliantly balanced wedge that has a high centre of gravity for easy trajectory and distance control while the hi-toe shape delivers forgiveness on shorter shots in particular.
- Read our full TaylorMade Hi-Toe 3 wedge review
Callaway CB 2023 Wedge
The CB wedge may not be as sleek in design as some of the best golf wedges on the market, but there are significant performance benefits on offer for those who struggle with consistency from 100 yards in. We would not hesitate to name this as one of the most forgiving wedges money can buy.
The Callaway CB wedge is constructed for ease of use and in our testing it provided clean turf interaction from various lies. It's especially impressive around the greens and out of sand. The full face design we tested certainly inspires confidence when placed at address and helped create plenty of spin, particularly in bunker shots or playing shots with an open face, making this one of the best wedges for chipping.
Available in multiple lofts with the option of full face grooves on the higher lofted wedges, the CB wedge provides plenty of spin and feel, all in a cavity back head
- Read our full Callaway CB Wedge Review
Cleveland CBX 4 Zipcore Wedge
The CBX 4 Zipcore wedges feature the same technology found in some of the best Cleveland wedges that include the impressive RTX6 wedges. This Zipcore tech allows for a heavier steel in the hosel to be replaced with a lightweight but strong vibration dampening material. The weight saved from the heel is then redistributed across the toe and higher on the face which improves MOI and gives optimum CG placement.
The CBX 4 wedges are a really strong option for those looking to upgrade their wedges this season. They provide really high levels of performance and forgiveness that golfers of all abilities will benefit from and they produced a strong showing in our testing.
While we would say they are aimed slightly more towards the higher handicap golfer due to the feel and size of the head, low handicappers should not dismiss them out of hand as any golfer looking for more assistance around the greens could benefit from the spin performance on offer from these wedges.
- Read our full Cleveland CBX 4 ZipCore Wedge Review
Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Wedge
The Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore wedge brings more forgiveness and wet-condition spin to the course in a classy looking head. It's packed with technology but most of the innovations in the RTX6 are not visible to the naked eye. For instance, in the hosel, the ZipCore insert is made of up to 95 percent more aluminium and silicon material than before, saving weight that can be moved elsewhere in the head to make the RTX 6 more forgiving by increasing the MOI by up to 20 percent.
The UltiZip grooves on the face are sharper, deeper and closer together than before and vary in dimensions according to the loft on the face. The space between the grooves also includes laser milled lines and the whole face is treated with HydraZip blasting and a more matte finish than before to maximise friction.
There are a wide variety of lofts from 46° to 60° in a good range of bounces including a new 8° Low+ option in the 54° and 56° heads.
It performed well in our testing and it is definitely one of the best Cleveland wedges that you should definitely consider for your bag.
- Read our full Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore wedge review
Mizuno T24 Wedge
A product that earned five stars in our review, the T24 wedges from Mizuno have that timeless look to them comparable to the Titleist Vokey SM9, which is widely regarded as the industry leader in the wedge category. We tested the Mizuno T24 wedge in the Soft White Satin finish, which was our personal favourite, although these wedges are also available in a striking Denim Copper and Tour Raw finish, just like on the T22 range.
A classic looking wedge that is designed to be extremely versatile and please golfers of all abilities. The compact head will certainly suit the eye of the better player, although several high bounce options and a high-spin face mean every golfer is catered for.
We tested this wedge extensively around the greens, in tricky lies and with more full shots and we were extremely impressed with the performance on offer.
If you are a competent ball striker who likes the look and feel of the best golf blades or Mizuno irons and are looking to upgrade your wedges, then the Mizuno T24 may just be what you have been looking for.
- Read our full Mizuno T24 Wedge Review
Callaway Jaws Raw Wedge
This wedge is designed by legendary wedge guru Roger Cleveland and is said to feature the most aggressive grooves in golf. In testing we were particularly impressed by the spin on offer from the milled micro-grooves and Raw face. Removing the plating allows for a more direct contact and we saw this in action across every length of shot, while it is particularly effective from wet grass.
The versatility on offer really stood out too. Whether floating the ball a little higher or chasing something close to the ground, the level of control was amazing. This was helped by the introduction of the new “Z Grind” that has been designed to skid rather than dig into the turf.
Aesthetically this is one of the most impressive wedges on the market. From every angle, this wedge looks incredible and regardless of whether you prefer the chrome or black plasma finish, you will not be disappointed. Over the ball, the classic shaping, straight leading edge and minimal offset combine to inspire confidence, while from the back, the subtle style touches and weight system make it a wedge that also sits pretty in the bag.
The Jaws Raw is available in lofts from 48° through to 60° as well as in four grind options: S (standard), W (wide), Z and X. There are a total of 17 loft and bounce combinations per finish, so there is something to suit golfers of all styles and levels of ability.
- Read our full Callaway Jaws Raw Wedge Review
How we test
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 bunker club, we will test that theory from any and all lies possible.
Specific to the best wedges, we tested every one thoroughly to assess the level of spin, feel and distance control on offer. We were also keen to find out how forgiving each model was and if there were any differences in flight.
This comprehensive testing style is not just exclusive to wedges as we test with the same level of thoroughness across all gear categories.
How to choose new 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. This is an important part of your bag setup to get right across the entire bag too, because knowing your gaps can allow you to fill out your bag correctly whether that be carrying two, three, or four wedges, which can then impact how many clubs you can carry at the top of the bag. The opposite is true as well. We have also created a guide on the best gap wedges as well so check that out for more information.
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. Alternatively there are classic chrome and silver designs as you can see above so it is a case of picking a design you like the look of not just at address, but in the bag as well.
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. Additionally there are several brands that have brought out wedges with grooves that stretch across the entire face. Admittedly this does take a little bit of time to get used to, but for those players who may struggle with strike, a full faced wedge might do you some favors when creating spin towards the toe.
FAQs
What is the easiest golf wedge to hit?
Wedges with a high MOI offer added stability and forgiveness, which leads us to conclude that cavity-back designs are likely the easiest to hit. And from a loft perspective, it will depend on how your wedge set-up complements your swing and the type of turf you tend to play from.
Which are the best golf wedges?
The answer to this is subjective and can only really be found through a custom fitting. However, contained in our list above is a selection of the best wedges currently on the market - all of which will deliver exceptional performance.
What is the most used wedge in golf?
Again, this probably depends on each golfer's specific game, but in a general sense, the pitching wedge is the club most commonly used at that end of the bag.
What are the most forgiving golf wedges?
Typically, the most forgiving wedges are those that come with full-face grooves. This is because golfers will still be able to generate lots of spin and control, no matter the strike location. In addition, there are also a host of cavity-back wedges, which might not look as nice, but the high MOI design will make them easier to hit consistently.
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