One area of the short game that the best golf wedges have to be able to deal with is the sand. As most golfers know, playing from bunkers can be one of the most challenging parts of the game. From the tricky lies that come associated with playing from the sand to getting the ball up and over the lip of the bunker, sand hazards can be very hard to conquer. Plus, you also have to judge your swing speed to get the ball up into the air with enough height and spin to land it comfortably on the green.
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That means finding the right sand wedge for your swing type is vital to help give you confidence around the greens and out of bunkers. That can really help change your mindset on the course and help you make more ups and downs. As the name would suggest, the sand wedge, a club with a loft typically between 54° and 58°, was created to help golfers escape from bunkers. The best sand wedges use design and technology to help make this as easy as possible for a wide range of abilities.
Additionally, we don't just use sand wedges to pop the ball out of the sand, they are much more versatile than that. Often it's the best, or only, choice of club when you need to hack it out of thick rough; it's the club you'll go to from 80 yards, and for many, it is the club they'll reach for immediately whenever greenside. For that reason, the sand wedge is one of the most important clubs to have in your bag. So, in this guide, we'll be walking you through some of the best sand wedges that you can buy right now. And while it's important to have a good sand saver in the bag. you're going to want to also ensure you have the right gapping in your wedges, so why not also take a look at some other excellent wedge options on the market right now on our guides to the best wedges for chipping, most forgiving wedges and best wedges for beginners.
Quick List
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.
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 wedge offers versatile grind and bounce options for golfers of all levels, with Spin Tread technology for better control and a clean design that appeals to many.
Designed from tour-player feedback, the Opus Platinum is a beautiful wedge that produces excellent spin with low ball flight. There's also an upgraded shaft and grip too...
The Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore wedge brings more forgiveness and wet-condition spin to the course in a classy looking head. A new low bounce option adds to the full range of lofts and grinds so there should be one for everyone.
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.
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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.
The MacGregor V Foil Wide Sole Sand Wedge is not for everyone. It is designed for those who struggle to chip well, or who lack confidence doing it. For these golfers, it offers clear benefits.
Best Sand Wedges
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TaylorMade MG4 Wedge
First up we have the TaylorMade Milled Grind 4 wedge which is arguably one of the best looking wedges on the market. Available from 46 to 60 degrees, the MG4 spins at a high level regardless of conditions. This is thanks to the Raw face technology on the MG4 which has 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. 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
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.
There are subtle differences in the aesthetic department when comparing the SM9 and SM10, chief among which is the progressive shaping which gives a premium look at address, regardless of the loft. 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.
The improvements are not just in the looks department though. The SM10 has been designed to fly a little bit lower, offer a bit more spin, and have improved feel over the SM9. In all three elements, our testing showed the SM10 certainly achieved these goals and lets not forget the wedge set-up options with 25 different combinations of loft, bounce and grind.
- Read our full Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedge Review
TaylorMade Hi-Toe 4 Wedge
The TaylorMade Hi-Toe 4 wedge introduces impressive upgrades over its predecessor, the Hi-Toe 3 wedge, making it ideal for sand play.
Straight away we noticed the bottom groove is filled with colored paint to enhance alignment alongside the reduced offset. Though the offset isn’t overally noticeable, we the colored groove makes it easy to align the face to the target.
The face and groove pattern, the same as the MG4 wedges, provide excellent spin control. While the head shape may not appeal to everyone, those preferring a straighter leading edge might consider alternatives like the Titleist Vokey SM10 or Ping S159 wedges
Aesthetically, the Hi-Toe 4 impresses with its copper finish, reducing glare and offering a look favored by tour players. Its raw face and Spin Tread technology ensure high spin and control from the fairway, rough, and sand, with laser etching to repel water from the clubface. Ultimately, these wedges offer versatility and reliability on any course.
- Read our full TaylorMade Hi-Toe 4 Wedge Review
Callaway Opus Platinum Wedge
Right out of the box, the Opus Platinum Wedges looked spectacular. We weren't huge fans of the back of the Jaws Raw wedges (the tungsten holes in particular) so we were excited see Callaway return to a more classic-looking wedge.
There's plenty more new too. The Opus Platinum wedges are designed through MiM (metal injection moulding) a process by which a proprietary blend of metals are used to create a distinct feel and help dial in performance. There's also the tungsten strip that sits high in the top line to create a higher CG (center of gravity) and therefore lower the ball flight for more distance control.
In terms of the performance, the Platinum excelled when it came to spin thanks to the Spin Gen Face Technology. Speaking of which, the Opus Platinum wedges certainly feel a little more solid and crisp through impact compared to the standard Opus wedges.
- Read our full Callaway Opus Platinum Wedge Review
Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Wedge
What makes the Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore wedge one of the best sand wedges is that it has a more pronounced C grind and, like all the RTX 6 heads, the tri-bounce sole features different types of leading edge to match the type of shot you wish to play. In our testing, we found that the RTX 6 ZipCore has every shot option covered. From playing out of the sand to getting up and down from the second cut, this club offered us bags of spin that really helped us play from a variety of lies. This is due to the balance, bounce and grip which comes from the UltiZip grooves on the face. These are sharper, deeper and closer together than before and vary in dimensions according to the loft on the face.
Featuring a relatively heavy 126g True Temper Dynamic Gold steel shaft, the club feels slightly heavier in hand and, during the swing, the extra weight gave us more control. It's worth noting that it does come in a graphite shaft option for a lighter feel. There is very little to fault in this comprehensive range of performance RTX 6 ZipCore wedges from Cleveland. It has every option covered and the balance, bounce and grip from the RTX 6 means it is one of the best Cleveland wedges around.
- Read our full Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Wedge Review
Ping S159 Wedge
Getting straight to the point, the S159 wedges from Ping 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
Mizuno T24 Wedge
A product that earned five stars in our review, the T24 wedges from Mizuno have that timeless look to them so they will look fantastic in the bag and at address. We tested the T24 in the Soft White Satin finish, which was our personal favorite, although these wedges are also available in Denim Copper and Tour Raw finishes as well.
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. The new Quadcut+ grooves sit slightly closer together on the face then previous Mizuno wedges and helped us produce plenty of spin.
The compact head will certainly suit the eye of the better player, although several high bounce options and a high-spin face mean this wedge would still perform well for higher handicappers that like to get creative around the green.
- Read our full Mizuno T24 Wedge Review
MacGregor V Foil Wide Sole Sand Wedge
This Wide Sole, 66º model from MacGregor is one of the most forgiving wedges on the market. The wide sole is designed to reduce miss-hits, by eradicating thin and fat shots, helping players to strike the ball off the center of the clubface. It also makes it harder for the club to dig into the turf; instead, causing the club to glide over the ground and scoop the ball into the air.
We found it was very adept from bunker shots but really came into its own when we were faced with shots we would normally use a lob wedge for. The loft of the MacGregor V Foil Wide Sole Sand Wedge is higher than a standard lob wedge, and it proved great at tackling shots such as the chip over a bunker to a narrow strip of green.
- Read our full MacGregor V Foil Wide Sole Sand Wedge Review
How we test
When it comes to sand wedges, we conduct a very rigorous testing process. Whether we are sent a product or buy it ourselves, we put everything we review through its paces to ensure we can provide reliable feedback and advice on how each wedge performs. Every member of the Golf Monthly team is an avid golfer and knows what does and does not make for a good sand wedge.
When testing wedges, we play with the clubs during multiple rounds and also use them in practice to assess how each club perform. If a wedge has a particular characteristic or if it claims to be the ultimate bunker club, we'll put that theory to the test and use that club across a variety of different lies.
Specifically, when reviewing sand wedges, we assess a number of different factors on the club. For example, we will look at how forgiving that wedge is, how easy it is to generate spin with that club, how the club feels, how much control the wedge provides and the overall aesthetics of the club. For more information on how Golf Monthly tests products, take a look at our methodology here. Wedge testing is headed up by Golf Monthly Staff Writer Sam De'Ath, who played competitively on the EuroPro Tour and Clutch Pro Tours.
What you need to consider when buying a sand wedge
Your sand wedge is perhaps one of the most important clubs in your bag. Not only can it help you get out of trouble in the bunker, but it can also help you score around the greens. For that reason it is probably one of the most important clubs in the game, and when purchasing your next sand wedge there are several things you need to consider to ensure you get the best club for your needs as a golfer. Below, we've set out a few key points to think about when you're purchasing your next sand wedge.
1. Forgiveness
Every golfer knows the pain of hitting an immaculate drive down the fairway, only to chunk your approach shot into the green. Wedges are perhaps one of the hardest clubs to use when it comes to consistently hitting sweet golf shots on different lies. But you can save yourself a lot of shots, by using a wedge that provides greater 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, take a look at our guide on the most forgiving wedges .
2. Bounce
The degree of bounce that a golf club has is an important factor to consider when you're buying your next sand wedge. Low bounce wedges are more suited to firmer terrain or bunkers with minimal sand. High bounce wedges are more suited to fluffier lies and bunkers filled with a lot of sand. For that reason, it is perhaps best to seek a wedge with a slightly higher bounce degree of around 14º when purchasing your next sand wedge. The more bounce a club has, the less chance that its face will dig into the turf or sand under the ball. That can help you get under the ball and strike more fluidly through your shot and even add more spin to the ball.
3. Grooves
As it can be quite hard to get any spin on the ball from a bunker shot, any extra friction or spin you can get from the grooves on your clubface is a bonus. That is why it is important to consider looking for a wedge that has a ground clubface with plenty of grooves to add traction between the clubhead and the ball. That allows you to stop the ball on the green much easier and attack the pin from longer distances.
4. Control
Precision around the greens directly feeds back to how much control you have with your wedge on the ball. The more control you have over the ball flight, the spin and the direction of the shot, then the closer you're going to be able to get the ball to the flag. For that reason, you should look to use clubs you believe provide you with the best feel and authority over your shots.
5. Test
One thing we really recommend doing if you're considering purchasing a new sand wedge is attending a testing session. As sand wedges come in a variety of lofts, grinds and bounce degrees, it is important to trial a few different models to help you determine which club provides the best results for your swing.
Bearing all of these important factors in mind, we have tested the latest models to give you an idea of the best sand wedges on the market right now and how they vary from brand to brand. If you're looking to find a wedge that will help you in another facet of your game, take a look at our guides on the best wedges for mid handicappers, best gap wedges, or if you are new to the game, the best golf wedges for beginners.
FAQs
When should I use a sand wedge?
Sand wedges are primarily used for getting out of bunkers, but they can also be used on the fairway or from the rough. Sand wedges typically have the widest soles that allow the club to cut through fluffier terrains that clubs with much narrower soles might catch.
How far should I hit my sand wedge?
Depending on your ability and strength, an average golfer should hit a 56º sand wedge approximately 80 yards. Professional golfers will typically hit their sand wedge around 110 yards.
What degree of loft is a sand wedge?
Sand wedges usually range between 54º and 58º in loft. You may want to trial a range of lofts before you purchase your sand wedge to find the club that best compliments your swing from the bunker.
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