Following my recent time spent reviewing the XC1 irons, I was highly eager to get my hands on the matching Maxfli XCW wedges to see if they warrant a conversation as a suitable alternative to some of the best wedges in the game.

Under the hood, Maxfli has refused to cut corners. The XCW wedges are fully forged from 1025 Carbon Steel to ensure the high-end response better players demand. Much like the iron lineup, these wedges strategically utilize internal Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC) technology to achieve optimal mass placement.

This translates to progressive vertical weighting, which cleverly positions the center of gravity (CG) lower in the low-lofted options to ensure predictability on full swings, and higher in the high-lofted heads to aid in controlling trajectory and maximizing spin on delicate partial shots.

On the face, CNC Milled Micro Grooves allow for more physical scoring lines (grooves) on the hitting surface to maximize backspin. This is paired with a CNC spin-milled sole designed to guarantee precise bounce consistency across every loft and grind combination.

In the bag - as with the rest of this Maxfli comeback range - these wedges look stunning. The back of the club is wonderfully clean and minimal, embracing the unadorned, premium aesthetic that I value so highly. However, much like my experience with the XC1 irons, the XCW wedges don't 100% suit my eye when down behind the ball.

At address, there is a slight notch of offset that interrupts the visual flow from the leading edge into the hosel.

Additionally, the hosel-to-top-edge transition doesn’t quite follow the same smooth, sweeping curves as the rest of the top edge. It creates a somewhat distinct shape that took a bit of getting used to. Of course, aesthetics are entirely subjective, and what jars slightly for me may well sit perfectly in someone else's hands.

Once you hit a few shots, any minor visual critiques quickly evaporate. The feel at impact is standout - offering a very soft, deep sensation that immediately alerts your hands to a high-quality forging.

When it comes to short game control, the XCW generates plenty of bite. In my testing, the backspin and trajectory control were fully comparable to premium flagship models like the Titleist Vokey SM11 and the Callaway Opus SP.

Maxfli offers three distinct sole shapes to cover different swing types: the A Grind (available in 50° and 52° for full gap-wedge swings), the X Grind (available in 56° and 60° featuring a wide sole for bunker forgiveness), and the multi-purpose M Grind (available in 54°, 56°, 58°, and 60°).

I tested the M Grind in both the 56° and 60° options and found it to be brilliantly versatile. While it didn’t offer much in the way of heel and toe relief to open the face up around the greens, it still beautifully coped with the tight, hard, burnt-out links turf of a traditional UK summer.

Overall, there isn’t much to dislike about these wedges, and I would deem them another strong component of a brilliant comeback into the hardware game from Maxfli.

At $129.99, these wedges represent excellent value for a fully forged product.

Sadly for the UK audience, they are currently a US exclusive available only at Golf Galaxy and Dick's Sporting Goods, but they are a phenomenal addition to a legendary brand’s comeback.

Bettinardi is a brand best known for producing some of the best putters in the game today. I’ve tested a few of their putters in the past and I’m a big fan. Every Bettinardi product looks and feels high end and the craftsmanship always stands out, so I was excited to get my hands on the HLX 6.0 wedge.

Especially since these were the wedges that Bryson DeChambeau, a player who is very tuned in to his golf equipment, recently added to his bag back in March.

I’ve reviewed various wedges this year and there are some great new products on the market. The Vice Golf VGW02 wedge is certainly worth a look, whilst I was also very impressed with the PXG Stick Em wedges. How will the Bettinardi offering compare to the best wedges of 2026 though? Let’s find out!

Without wanting to downplay the performance and tech of the HLX 6.0, aesthetics are always the first port of call with Bettinardi. The price tag their products carry has more to do with the premium looks rather than just how they perform.

However, the expression “not just a pretty face” definitely applies to Bettinardi. The looks always jump off the page and are a major selling point, but move beyond that and the products can certainly hold their own against the more established brands. That being said, premium aesthetics are the hook that Bettinardi hang their hat on.

So, unsurprisingly, the HLX 6.0 is a beautiful looking wedge. It combines a classic compact wedge shape with distinctive CNC-milled detailing, giving it a premium, handcrafted look that stands apart from more conventional designs. From the milled sole to the distinct geometric milling on the back of the head, it brings a layer of craftsmanship that gives any bag extra style points. The HLX 5.0 was a nice looking wedge but Bettinardi have raised the bar once more.

It is available in a choice of two finishes - chrome and black. Both are appealing and although I would usually prefer a chrome finish, with the HLX I personally I think the black finish works better as the milling patterns on the back of the head really pop.

The branding is subtle and restrained, with a small silver Bettinardi logo on the back of the head and unobtrusive text that adds to the overall look.

In terms of the tech, Bettinardi is not big on buzzwords or slogans but its clubs are exceptionally well engineered. The HLX 6.0 wedges feature an increased number of grooves across the face and tighter spacing, resulting in more consistent spin on full shots and better performance on chips and pitches.

They also feature a CG that is slightly higher and more central, which produces a lower launch and helps to retain maximum spin. This lower launch and added spin will appeal to the more skilled player that these wedges are aimed at.

The lower launch was apparent in testing and I was impressed with the performance on full shots. However, it was around the greens where I really noticed the HLX 6.0 coming into its own. I have a reasonable short game but often I will shy away from using a high lofted club for chipping because I don’t like the lie, or specifically how the club sits with that lie.

I need the reassurance of a thinner wedge that looks like it can slide under the ball when I open up the face. If it doesn’t sit right or looks a bit chunky, I’m reaching for another club and playing a bump and run, whereas if I think I can get under it then I’ll try to get more creative.

The HLX 6.0 is a club I can get creative with. I love how it sits at address and this is a wedge that allows you to hit all the shots. It performed exceptionally out of bunkers too. I was testing the 54° model in the RJ-Grind, which probably explains why it was so inviting at address.

There are only two grind options, the C and the RJ. The standard C-Grind sole is a classic wedge design, ideal for players who prefer straightforward, square-faced shots. It helps you strike the ball cleanly with a lower bounce, making it especially effective on tight lies.

The RJ-Grind on the other hand, is a versatile, high-bounce sole designed for players who want maximum shot-making flexibility around the greens. With added relief at the heel, toe and trailing edge, it offers enhanced playability and adaptability for a wide range of shots. I like to manufacture shots around the green when possible, so the RJ-Grind really suited my needs.

Bettinardi usually sits towards the higher end of the price scale and the HLX 6.0 wedges are no different. There are certainly cheaper alternatives if you are on a budget, and the HLX actually comes in at a higher price point than market leading wedges such as the Vokey SM11 or Callaway Opus SP, but the extra cost is for the beautiful craftsmanship you get with Bettinardi clubs. These wedges really do look ultra premium and fans of the brand will love them.

The wedges are available in loft options from 48° to 60° and can purchased directly via the Bettinardi website.

The Callaway Opus SP wedges were launched last year and earned a glowing review from our tester, Sam De’Ath, who described them as some of the best wedges on the market. The SP+ hit the market in the spring of this year and although not drastically different, it has a more advanced construction, a more aggressive center of gravity and a loftier price tag (£229).

Does it offer an upgrade on the Opus SP though, and where does it stand in comparison to the best wedges we’ve tested? I put it through its paces to find out, but before we go any further, if you are looking to upgrade your wedges you should check out some of our various wedge guides, such as the best wedges for mid-handicappers, the best wedges for chipping as well as the best wedges for beginners.

Much of the same technology remains from the standard Opus SP but the SP+ has some subtle differences, such as tungsten weighting and a tighter groove spacing with an updated face texture. The SP+ also has a higher, more precisely positioned CG which aids with a lower, more controlled flight.

The "SP" stands for Spin Pocket. It’s a hollow cavity behind the lower face that removes mass low in the head, allowing weight to be redistributed higher, raising the center of gravity and promoting a lower, more penetrating flight with added spin. In the SP+, the pocket has been increased by about 25% compared to the standard SP, pushing even more weight upward.

Another upgrade from the standard model is that the SP+ has moved to a three-piece construction: a soft 8620 steel body, a metal-injection-moulded (MIM) face as well as tungsten weighting high in the head. That tungsten weighting works with the larger Spin Pocket to elevate CG further. It’s designed to produce tighter launch windows, more consistent carry and a flatter, spin-driven flight.

Finally, the SP+ uses Spin Gen 2.0 face technology with refined groove geometry, steeper angles and a laser-textured surface for added friction to deliver reliable, repeatable spin and a more controlled, tour-style ball flight.

In terms of the aesthetic, it’s a pleasing, albeit somewhat understated look. The branding is not too 'in your face' and overall it should appeal to most golfers. It isn’t as striking as some wedges I’ve tested recently, like the Bettinardi HLX 6.0, but it’s a premium looking wedge that looks great in the bag.

The standard Opus SP already delivers a lower flight window and excellent spin consistency, but the SP+ takes that up a notch and the lower, tour style trajectory should really appeal to the elite ball strikers.

Most average golfers won't have the game to benefit from the little extras the SP+ brings to the table and in terms of performance I’d get just as much out of the standard Opus SP. Better players than me though? Sure, I can definitely see how elite ball strikers might appreciate that lower flight window and softer feel and it will be interesting to see if any of Callaway's staff players put it into play.

I have to say the performance on full shots was top drawer. My carry number for a 54° wedge is around 90 yards, and it was a lot of fun just setting up in the fairway and firing a bag of balls at the flag for half an hour. It’s something I enjoy doing when my local course is quiet in the evenings, and testing wedges gives me the perfect excuse to do it.

The SP+ delivered exceptional performance on all manner of shots from varying distances. Around the green I played high pitches, low pitches, flop shots and several bunker shots and the versatility of the SP+ is the thing that impressed me most. That being said, the standard SP can pull off all of those shots too, so why pay the extra for the SP+ model?

The softer feel is probably the biggest selling point for me. A soft feel is something I like in a wedge as I find it helps on ‘feel shots’ when you are looking to get creative. That said I’m not convinced the improved feel alone justifies the extra $50/£50, as ultimately you’re paying for fairly marginal gains in flight control and feel rather than a wholesale jump in performance.

Given the quality and popularity of the standard Opus SP wedges, I’m not sure there’s going to be a huge of a market for the SP+ but that isn’t a criticism of the product itself and it will be interesting to see how popular it becomes. It’s a tour quality product with limited visible tour adoption so far. Opus wedges have been widely used on tour but while the SP+ has been engineered for that level of player, it hasn’t had time to earn its place in bags.

Perhaps if some Callaway players such as Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele and others put the SP+ into play it will raise the profile of the product, but I can’t shake the feeling that most golfers will just go with the standard model due to the significant price difference. That said, if you do opt for the premium offering you certainly won’t be disappointed.

While clubs such as fairway woods and irons don’t need to be replaced too often, wedges should ideally be upgraded every couple of years due to wear and tear on the grooves and how that can negatively impact your performance.

If you are looking to freshen up your wedges this year then there are a number of excellent options on the market, so check out our guides to the best wedges, the best wedges for chipping as well as the best wedges for beginners.

A name that may not immediately spring to mind when you think of wedges is PXG, but the brand has made big strides in this area over recent years and so I was intrigued to see what the new Stick ‘Em forged wedges could do. The first thing to say is that looks wise they were not what I was expecting.

My impression of PXG is that they are very much an “in your face” type of brand. Its gear tends to be loud. I don’t mean that in a negative way, it’s just the identity of the brand and it works for them. They don’t tend to do subtle - in design or product names - and you only have to look at the other wedges in their line up to see that.

The Sugar Daddy wedges offer a bold, high-impact aesthetic very different to what you’d see in a Titleist Vokey SM11 or in TaylorMade MG5 wedges for example. From the name to the design, the Sugar Daddy is unmistakably PXG.

The Stick ‘Em wedges buck that trend though. They’re quite understated and have a much more classical look than PXG is generally known for. Dare I even say they look more ‘mainstream’? PXG prides itself on being different to the traditional brands, but the Stick Em’ wedges look like they’re meeting them somewhere in the middle. Not that I'm complaining, I think this is a very nice looking wedge.

The head profile is a touch larger than what you’ll typically see on the best wedges. This will appeal to those seeking a little more forgiveness and puts the Stick ‘Ems in the discussion amongst the most forgiving wedges of 2026.

The real story with Stick ‘Em though relates to the grooves, which PXG states are deeper and more closely spaced, with an aggressive precision milled face pattern aiding with friction. The result is a high spinning wedge that delivers impressive control around the greens.

The Stick ‘Em forged wedges are available in two finishes: Chrome at $199 and Xtreme Dark at $219. The lineup includes six loft options in two degree increments from 50-60° along with a choice of two sole designs to suit different playing styles and conditions. Those sole options are the BP-Grind (named after Bob Parsons, founder of PXG) and the S-Grind.

The BP-Grind carries 13 degrees of bounce and a wider sole aimed at golfers with steeper swings or those playing in softer turf. The S-Grind is aimed more at the shot maker and short game wizard. It features 10 degrees of bounce and is built for added versatility, offering more control for finesse shots around the greens.

Its tapered sole and heel-to-toe relief allow it to sit lower to the ground than you might expect from a 10-degree bounce wedge and I was able to open the face and manufacture some nice, creative shots with it.

The BP-Grind keeps things more traditional, delivering stability and forgiveness through its fuller sole design, making it one of the best wedges for mid-handicappers.

I tested both grinds and the difference in turf interaction on full shots was quite negligible to me, mainly due to the course conditions I was testing on. In firmer, bouncier conditions in the summer for example, I’m sure I’d be more drawn to the S-Grind due to the extra versatility around the greens.

I’m not exactly Phil Mickelson, but I do enjoy opening the face and letting the occasional flop shot fly. I suspect I’d find that more difficult with the BP-Grind, but for the course types and conditions I usually play it’s perfectly fine.

The grooves are certainly interesting. In the 50° and 52° models (only available in S-Grind) you will see traditional grooves, but in the higher lofted options there’s a switch to full face grooves in both the S-Grind and BP-Grind.

The groove pattern itself has been refined using the same tour-validated shaping seen in the Sugar Daddy III wedges. By incorporating slightly wider channels, the face is better able to grip the ball while also shedding grass and debris through impact. The aim of this is to deliver consistent spin, predictable launch and improved control from the fairway, rough or bunker.

The models I tested were 56° with full face grooves. The performance was impressive across the board. On full shots it delivered excellent spin and lived up to its name as it was easy to get the ball to ‘stick’, while around the greens the responsive feel and impressive spin meant I really felt in control of the shots I was playing.

The Stick ‘Em wedges are triple forged from 8620 soft carbon steel, so unsurprisingly the sound and feel were pleasant. Very pleasant actually. Soft enough but still a crisp satisfying sound. This triple-forging process increases also the material’s overall strength and helps grooves maintain their sharpness longer to deliver maximum spin.

The full face grooves do take some getting used to at first. Looking down at address on full shots I found it a little off putting initially, but conversely I enjoyed the reassurance of the extended grooves when opening up the face and getting creative.

In summary, the Stick ‘Em wedges are a nice offering from PXG. They come in at a lower price point than the brand traditionally occupies ($100 cheaper than the Sugar Daddy wedges) and offer a good option to the mid-handicap player looking for maximum spin with the reassurance of a bit of added forgiveness.

Vice Golf is of course best known for the impact it made in producing some of the best golf balls on the market, but recently the brand has branched out into other areas, producing clubs, bags, rangefinders and shoes amongst other offerings. So far, the results have been impressive. A particular favorite of ours is the Vice Boost Starter Set, which is one of the best value package sets we’ve tested, and the striking VGI03 irons.

Vice Golf has a different way of doing things to the more established, well known brands. One obvious difference is that it has no presence on the professional tours, preferring to focus instead on the regular golfer. This brings a trickle down effect to the consumer, as the lack of huge tour contracts and other unnecessary overheads allows Vice to undercut some of the competition while still offering a similar quality of product.

This was my first experience of using a club made by Vice. I am a big fan of Vice golf balls so I was excited to see how the VGW02 compares to the best wedges out there. Spoiler alert: I was not disappointed.

Visually, this is a stunning looking club. I love the clean, understated look with just a simple, unobtrusive logo on the back cavity. The markings on the precision milled sole also please my eye, and this is an area where Vice excels in my view. Looking across their range of clubs, the aesthetics really do jump off the page.

Any time I glanced at my bag and saw the three VGW02 wedges sat in there, I was struck by how stylish they looked. I enjoyed the look at address too, the brushed chrome head is right in my wheelhouse to be honest. If I were to design the perfect wedge, it might look a lot like this. Even the packaging they come in is eye catching.

The VGW02 wedges follow on from last’s years VGW01 range. Interestingly, the full face grooves of the VGW01 are no more. The VGW02 has a more traditional face design, which will appeal more to the traditionalists and better players. Higher handicap players may be better served with the older model though. The VGW02 is aimed at the higher end of player, with more emphasis on workability than forgiveness.

In testing the VGW02 wedges performed impressively. The standout for me was the consistency on full shots. I tested three different lofts (50°, 54° and 58°) and the gapping between them was exactly what I look for. At the range, well struck shots produced very tight numbers and I was within a few yards of my required distance every time. Obviously there was a drop off on poorer strikes, but that will be the case with any wedge. Being able to trust the number when margins are small is vital with scoring clubs and the VGW02 delivered.

Spin levels were in the window I would expect and definitely comparable to other higher end wedges. On the golf course, turf interaction was a real highlight. You only get a limited feel for what a club can do on the range, and this is particularly true of wedges where on course performance is much more important than just data gathered from a range session. Hitting shots into a green from various types of lies give a much better idea of how a wedge performs, and the VGW02 certainly came into its own on the golf course.

I enjoyed the feel, which is exactly what you would expect from forged 1020 carbon steel - very responsive with excellent feedback. Shots around the green yielded nice results too. Stopping power was fine and I found it easy to control shots, whether it required a quick check or a run out. I would expect that this will be one of the best wedges for chipping this year. Performance out of bunkers was excellent too.

Overall this is a very solid offering from Vice. It is a premium offering aimed at low-mid handicap players and it comes it at a significantly lower price than other wedges in that category.

It would take a lot for me to turn away from the trusty Cleveland CBX Zipcore wedges that have been in my bag for three years, but if I had to replace them with the VGW02 I could happily live with that.

These wedges are available in a wide range of customisable options when ordered from Vice, and they retail at a very appealing $129 (£109.99 UK) which is quite a significant saving when compared to offerings from the bigger name brands. Shaft upgrades are also available but will increase the cost.

LA Golf continues to expand its hardware footprint, and the new FS-26 wedges are a fascinating addition to the lineup. Constructed as a single piece forged from 1020 carbon steel, these wedges are clearly aiming for the premium end of the market, to rival some of the best golf wedges in the game.

From an 'in the bag' perspective, the FS-26 is a nice-looking wedge. The premium matte finish looks sophisticated and sits cohesively alongside the brand's new iron offerings. The back cavity design is particularly striking to my eye; it essentially looks like what would happen if a Vokey SM11 and the new Takomo wedge had a baby! It’s modern, industrial and clean.

However, things get a bit more complicated when you set the club down. Behind the ball, the FS-26 features a little too much offset for my taste, particularly in the higher lofted models.

For a wedge designed for precision, I found this pronounced hosel transition somewhat off-putting. Although I didn’t find it had any particular negative implications on the overall performance, it just didn’t look great to me.

That said, the head shaping beyond the hosel is very nicely executed, offering a soft roundness that many will enjoy.

The offset is a crying shame because the general performance was actually very good. The feel off the face is everything you want from 1020 carbon steel - soft, responsive, and dense. The flight is pleasingly low and penetrating, a trait that better players usually covet for distance control.

Spin levels were comparable to high-end wedges such as the Vokey SM11 and Callaway Opus SP, thanks to what LA Golf calls their 'aggressive saw cut grooves,' allowing the ball to stay on the clubface seemingly for an eternity.

I tested all three available grind options: S, F, and T. The F Grind is a fairly standard full sole offering, ideal for full shots and square-faced chips, the S Grind is exactly what you would find in the Vokey range, featuring just a little trail edge relief for versatility, while the T Grind was the most fun to test; it’s an aggressive grind with a lot of heel and toe relief, perfect for tight lies and manipulating the face.

Overall, I have mixed feelings about the FS-26. The performance was strong - nice soft feel, good low flight, and loaded with spin - and went some way to justifying the $200 price tag.

Sadly, I just don't think I could put them in my bag based on the visual annoyance of that heavy offset. If LA Golf were to straighten out that transition in a future iteration, I would be far from disappointed to see these staring back at me from my golf bag.

I would say Ping is better known for its forgiving drivers and irons rather than its wedges, Eye2 notwithstanding. However, the s159 wedge really boosted its credibility in this category and the brand hopes its replacement, the s259, can cement its place in the conversation when discussing the very best golf wedges money can buy.

I recently got my hands on the S259 wedges to see if the performance could match the premium billing and impress me just as much as the outgoing s159.

One thing that immediately struck me when unboxing these wedges is the continuation of the clean aesthetic established by the s159. I have always loved the tighter groove appearance on Ping wedges, and I was so pleased to see that carried over here.

The 54-62° options feature MicroMax grooves that are tightly spaced, which gives the face a busy, friction-heavy look that just looks as though you're about to rip the cover off the ball (don't worry, you don't).

At address, the head is fairly compact with a smaller footprint, which is something that will definitely please the eye of the better golfer. I personally love the rounded toe - I feel as though it softens the profile and frames the ball beautifully.

Some like a square leading edge but I prefer something slightly more rounded, like on the Vokey SM11 wedges. The lower-lofted wedges (46- 50°) are designed with a straighter leading edge (although I didn’t think it changed a lot as the loft increased), and while this helped in setting the face square to my target, I found them a little too straight for my liking. I find that more curvature helps when manipulating the face to play different shots, but others may disagree.

Under the hood, Ping has utilized an investment-cast 8620 carbon steel head, which contributes to a soft-yet-solid feel at impact. The big story, however, is face technology. The s259 wedges feature wheel-cut grooves that are precision-milled to varying dimensions depending on the loft, and that makes a lot of sense considering the different speeds you will likely swing the different wedges at.

To ensure you can hold greens from anywhere, Ping has applied a friction-adding face blast, something which was also used on the s159 wedges. This texture is designed to deliver launch and spin control from all distances and lies while also improving the durability of the wedges.

It is also worth noting the vast array of options available, considering there are six grind options and 25 loft/grind combinations, close to the 27 available in the Vokey range. These include a newly added 50° and 52° options in the W grind for those with slightly steeper angles of attack looking for a slightly more forgiving wedge.

Ultimately, a wedge can look the part, but it has to perform. I took the s259 indoors on a Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor to see how it stacked up against the brand new SM11, as well as out on the course using Titleist Pro V1x golf balls to see how they performed from various lies.

The spin retention was impressive throughout the session, which is exactly what you look for when trying to control distance on partial shots. On a standard 50-yard pitch shot, I was generating 7,289 rpm of spin, which was marginally more than the SM11.

This level of stopping power allows you to be aggressive to tight pin positions, knowing the ball will sit down quickly. The launch angle of 28.1°, coupled with a peak height of 25 feet, offered a controlled, yet flatter flight than I was expecting, although marginally higher than the Vokey. This will be appealing for those who play in windy links conditions or just want a touch more control over the ball flight.

Overall, I would say the Ping s259 is a worthy successor to the S159, and I think it could make its way into the bags of non-contracted players, given the strong performance I saw on the launch monitor and on the course.

It retains the visual cues that I came to love on the previous model, particularly the clean look in the bag, the tight groove pattern and the rounded toe profile. While I would personally prefer a slightly softer leading edge, the compact head shape will suit a good player's eye but the performance will extend to a much larger target audience.

Coming in at £190 per club, they're not cheap, but can you put a price on predictable greenside results? Two finishes are available and a Ping Z-Z115 wedge shaft comes as standard.

If you’re already considered the best in class, releasing a replacement release isn’t necessarily about reinventing the wheel. It's more about making subtle, minor refinements to make a great product just that little bit better. Which brings us nicely to the new SM11 wedge.

The Vokey SM10 dominated wedge counts across the major professional tours, so I was eager to take the Titleist Vokey SM11 wedges out onto the golf course to see what changes had been made and if there were performance gains to be had (you can watch me go through the fitting process in the video above).

The SM11 makes a strong first impression when in your hand, with Titleist making some subtle but impactful changes to the aesthetic that made the SM10 arguably the best golf wedge on the market.

The most obvious update is moving the ‘SM11’ branding from the back to the hosel, which really cleans up the 'in the bag' look of the club, creating a more minimalist look that I love.

Furthermore, the refined banner strip across the back is a clear nod to previous Vokey WedgeWorks models. It gives the club a more sophisticated visual and the contrasting color works well against whichever of the four finishes you choose on these wedges. Whether you choose the Tour Chrome, Jet Black, Nickel or the raw finish that rusts over time (my personal favourite), the shelf appeal is undeniable.

The SM11 frames the ball perfectly with a beautifully-crafted profile we’ve come to expect from Vokey, one that I think will appeal to a wide range of golfers.

Under the hood, Titleist has once again focused on progressive CG placement. In previous models, the CG could vary slightly between different grinds of the same loft. With the SM11, Vokey engineers have centralised the CG to make it identical across all grinds within a given loft. Theoretically, this helps eliminate a variable during fitting, so, for example, if you switch from an S grind to an M grind in your 56°, the feel and flight characteristics should remain consistent.

The grooves have also seen a fairly large overhaul, whereby a new directional face texture angled towards the leading edge has been implemented to increase friction, alongside Spin Milled grooves that have 5% more volume than the SM10. This increase in volume is designed to channel debris and moisture away more effectively, maintaining spin in wet or rough conditions.

I can’t say through my initial testing I saw any real evidence of this on the golf course, but with the heat treatment applied to these heads to supposedly double the durability, it will be interesting to see if this is more notable when I start to typically see spin and control drop off when the grooves usually wear down.

I tested the SM11 extensively, putting it through its paces on full shots, tight nip-checks, and bunker play as well on a Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor at the Golf Monthly Performance Lab to gather some standardised data for a 50-yard pitch.

The feel is sensational off the face is what you would expect from a Vokey - soft and as though you have full control on the spin. The flight control is where the progressive CG really shines. I found the lower lofts (46°-52°) launched well, with a controlled trajectory that transitioned seamlessly into my irons, while the higher lofts (54-60°) actually came out a touch lower than I expected. But after clipping a few away, I quickly began to like the fizzing ball flight on offer.

However, I have to be honest regarding the spin and raw stopping power. Despite the claims regarding the new face texture, heat treatment, and larger groove volume, I can’t say I saw any notable performance differences compared to when I tested the SM10 wedges last year, or any other I have tested over the past 12 months.

As you can see from the data above, I saw a decent amount of spin (7213 rpm) on a 50-yard pitch shot with a 54° wedge, comparable with (but not better than) the recently launched TaylorMade MG5 (7158 rpm) and Callaway Opus SP (7199 rpm) in testing.

The check on the second bounce is aggressive and predictable, but if you are currently gaming a set of SM10 wedges and you haven’t played more than 50 rounds of golf or so with them, you aren't going to find a magical 500rpm jump in spin here. The improvements are in the consistency of the flight and a few new grind options, although, as I have previously mentioned, these are fairly minimal changes.

I’d imagine the Titleist Vokey SM11 will once again dominate tour counts and conversations on the best wedges, but with the former it could be more of an excuse for fresh grooves rather than switching for a performance bump. The small refinements that have been made are unquestionably additive, but for many golfers they will be too subtle to notice. That said, Bob Vokey and his team have taken a winning formula and refined the aesthetics to create arguably the best-looking wedge they have ever made.

The wedge market has proven to be highly competitive over the past year, but every so often, a model arrives from a lesser-known brand and feels distinctly more premium and crafted than the rest - the Protoconcept RR wedge.

Protoconcept is a brand known for its commitment to high-end, forged precision, has released a wedge that doesn’t just aim to compete with the major players in the market but looks to surpass them in feel and finish. I put the RR Forged wedge ($309/£241) through its paces on the golf course and indoors on a Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor to see if this is a wedge you should consider.

The aesthetics of the RR Forged wedge are what I believe truly distinguish it from a lot of the best wedges on the market. From the moment you take these wedges out of the wrapper, they just have a premium aura about them, thanks to the deep satin finish and precise shaping that look incredibly premium both in hand and in the bag.

Behind the ball, the aesthetic is clean, timeless, and perfectly balanced. The head features a beautifully classic, rounded profile with a clean leading edge that sits really nicely when the blade is both square and open behind the ball. The smooth curves and compact shape are exactly what a better player wants to see, and they really gave me the confidence to be creative around the greens when using this wedge.

When clipping away chips and pitch shots, I instantly noticed how soft and responsive the RR forged wedge is. It’s probably the softest feeling wedge I have tested over the past year, even more so than the forged TaylorMade MG5 and Fourteen FRZ - another wedge I love.

The RR wedges are forged from S25C soft carbon steel, a material often favoured in high-end Japanese golf clubs for its legendary soft feel and responsiveness, probably why I love the feel through impact with these clubs.

The face boasts a precision CNC-milled surface. This milling process ensures every single groove is cut to the tightest possible tolerance, maximising friction and, critically, spin, even out of the rough or when dealing with surface moisture.

Protoconcept has opted for a subtle yet effective sole design, featuring a classic rounded leading edge with slight heel and toe relief, although this differs slightly depending on which grind you choose. The NT grind (neutral) was what I chose on my 50°, and then I went for the more aggressive grind (AG) on my sand and lob wedge.

There is also a SP (Sweeper) grind for those more shallow into the ball. The loft options on these wedges range between 46°- 60°, meaning there is a RR wedge out there for everyone. Through the use of 3D CAD technology, every loft is individually tailored to ensure optimal centre of gravity placement and sole functionality for each wedge.

Around the green, the sole geometry offered excellent versatility. It didn't dig excessively on delicate chips, and the slight relief in the heel allowed for an open face on bunker shots and flop shots without digging and getting stuck through impact. If you tend to be inconsistent with your strike or do want a little assistance around the greens, I would point you in the direction of one of the most forgiving wedges instead.

I did test the Protoconcept RR Forged wedges across a range of conditions, from full swings out of the fairway to delicate chips around the green. The full-swing ball trajectory was consistent and penetrating, which was something I was glad to see. Where the RR Forged really shone was in scoring shots. The consistent groove performance delivered excellent spin retention even from the light rough, allowing me to attack pins with confidence.

However, the standout moment came during my 50-yard pitch shot testing. This distance is the ultimate indicator of groove bite, and the RR wedge was exceptional, where my launch monitor registered a phenomenal 7658 RPM of spin. For context, this was the second-largest amount of spin generated from any wedge I have tested over the last year.

Overall, the quality of these wedges is superb, and they offer extreme levels of spin and feel, as well as looking exceptional behind the ball and in the bag. The elephant in the room is the extremely punchy price tag of £309/£241. If you're in the market for a fresh set and money is no issue, these would be right up there at the top of the list, however, some of the best wedges on the market are available for nearly half of the price.

Avoda Golf has quickly established itself as a brand challenging golf's status quo, particularly with its unique approach to club specifications and geometry.

The W2 wedges are its latest offering, designed to maximize forgiveness and consistency around the greens. I put the W2 through its paces to see if Avoda’s unconventional design truly delivers a more consistent result.

In terms of the aesthetics, Avoda has absolutely nailed it here for me. Anyone who listens to the Kick Point Golf Gear Show podcast will know how much I love minimalistic design language on a golf club (particularly a wedge), and that is exactly what we have with the W2. Just the Avoda logo - which I think is a work of art in itself - and a simple G, S, or L denoting Gap, Sand, or Lob wedge adorn this beautiful head, and I love it.

Too many modern wedges for me offer too much reading and information, along with heavy branding, so the G, S, and L move (as opposed to writing exact loft) is a very welcome one to me at least. For the record, the gap wedge standard loft is 50˚, while the sand and lob wedges come in at 55˚ and 60˚, respectively.

The utility wedge market has seen a surge in specialized designs, but few have committed to blending forgiveness and aesthetics quite like Avoda. The W2 Wedges promise maximum help, and the main story of this wedge for me is the incredible, high-bounce sole grind.

This high bounce makes it exceptionally forgiving through the turf, while the severely bevelled leading and trailing edges work together to provide versatility in a multitude of ground conditions.

The secret sauce of the W2 lies entirely in its ability to resist digging. This wedge is basically 'un-duffable' because there is so much bounce to help you out with any slightly heavy strike. But, while the deep bounce prevents the club from digging into soft ground or sand, the clever beveling on both edges of the sole helps to prevent the clubhead from deflecting too sharply off the turf - the classic drop-kick style of miss that is usually associated with super high bounce wedges.

Furthermore, I found the W2 to be an absolute revelation in the sand. I don’t think I have found a better bunker club since the iconic Ping Eye 2 wedge - it just glides through the sand with minimal effort, providing predictable contact and distance. This forgiveness is crucial, turning potential disasters into simple up-and-downs.

In terms of flight, the W2 produced consistent, reliable spin, though it fell just short of the extreme stopping power offered by a couple of other premium wedges, the Callaway Opus SP, and the Vokey SM10. However, when I say just short, I mean just short.

Over all shots from various ranges, I found it to be only around 100 rpm short of the other two averages, which is a negligible difference that I wouldn’t have noticed at all without the benefit of my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor.

Avoda offers golfers several customization options, staying true to their unique approach to club requirements. You can get this wedge built in a single length configuration (where all your irons are the same length), a 'combo' length (where all of your scoring clubs from LW through to 8-iron are built to the same length), or in a more conventional variable length setup. This is a massive plus for golfers who have opted into a non-traditional set make-up.

The £172 / $192 price tag is very competitive with other premium wedges, making the W2 a good value proposition for the technology on offer. For a specialized tool that delivers this level of performance and error correction, the investment is easily justified. The Avoda W2 is an exceptional option for those seeking confidence and consistency around the green.

When I first heard that Callaway was releasing the new Opus SP wedges, I was immediately intrigued and excited to get my hands on them. The original Opus wedges offered superb control and were known for their clean aesthetics and impressive spin, so could the SP wedges live up to the hype created by their predecessor?

The "SP" on the new wedges stands for Spin Pocket, a new two-piece construction that shifts the center of gravity a little higher in the head to produce a lower, more controlled ball flight while maintaining the high spin that was evident with the original Opus wedges. I took these wedges straight onto the golf course to see if they could be considered some of the best wedges released this year.

From a head shape standpoint, I really like the Opus SP design. I feel as though the wedges could be visually improved if they had a cleaner look on the back, but looks of course are subject to opinion.

The Opus SP wedges are offered in two finishes - brushed chrome and black shadow, the latter was the one I conducted my testing with in a 56° head. Down behind the ball, the shape has been designed with tour-player feedback and is fairly compact, which is exactly why the Opus SP wedges were the fastest tour conversion of any Callaway wedge, meaning that more tour players, such as Xander Schauffele and Jon Rahm, put these wedges in play quicker than any of the previous wedge designs.

These wedges offer progressive shaping in the gap wedge, which creates a seamless transition from your irons to your wedges, making the whole set blend smoothly, creating a more consistent look down behind the ball.

The feel of the Opus SP wedges is where the Spin Pocket technology really shines. On both full shots and delicate chips, the wedges feel responsive, yet firm enough that they offer precise feedback. The ball feels as though it grips tightly on the face through impact, offering high levels of spin and this was evident when I tested it with my Foresight Sports GC3 Launch Monitor.

I put the Opus SP to the test against the original Callaway Opus wedge to determine if there had truly been any significant performance gains. However, it's worth mentioning that when looking at the data above, the original Opus had seen a fair bit of action, and so comparing the data to a wedge that was fresh out of the wrapper has to be taken with a pinch of salt.

On average, I saw my spin sit around 7400rpm, which is a solid amount over a 50-yard pitch shot. When moving into fuller swings, the ball flight stayed a little lower than the previous model, which took some getting used to at first, but once I got comfortable with the window it was coming out in, I gained so much confidence and control.

The main story with these wedges is, of course, the Spin Pocket, but Callaway didn't stop there. The Opus SP wedges feature a new Spin Gen 2.0 face that boasts grooves that are set at a 17° angle and packed tighter together for maximum spin. The face is also cross-hatch lasered under the coating of the wedge to enhance spin on open-faced shots, but also to make the face more durable.

Overall, I found the performance and the aesthetics of the Opus SP wedges rivalled a lot of the wedges I have tested recently, especially those considered the best wedges for chipping. The six different grind options allow golfers to customize their wedge set-up depending on their attack angle and the turf they typically play on, and the two color finishes mean you can keep a traditional look with the chrome or opt for a more stealth-like approach with the black shadow.

The Callaway Opus SP wedges are available worldwide and come to retail for $199/£179 with a slight upcharge for graphite shafts.

One thing that’s crossed my mind recently is why many amateur golfers accept the fact that they are not consistent enough to use bladed irons, yet persist in using bladed wedges. The fact is, most amateur golfers would be far better off using one of the most forgiving wedges on the market due to the larger head and margin for error they serve up on strike.

The new Cleveland CBZ wedges ($179/£159) are the latest in the forgiving wedge market and I recently took them to the golf course to put them through their paces and analyse their performance.

While many of the best wedges on the market offer different bounce and grind options to suit various attack angles, most golfers don’t get the chance to practice and become consistent with their wedges. The larger, rounded profile of the Cleveland CBZ will allow even those lacking confidence to feel good when laying the head behind the ball around the greens.

Due to the slightly rounded leading edge, I still felt as though I could play some more creative shots around the green, closing the toe in or opening up the face, however, the extra-wide sole with 12° bounce did make sliding the club under the ball a little difficult, particularly on firmer turf.

There are three grinds available offering slightly different playing characteristics, along with the option of a full-face groove design, which is the model I tested. The C grind, 54° wedge I tested, excelled when hitting fuller shots. The CBZ wedges feature a larger sweet spot that is positioned more towards the toe - the location Cleveland found the majority of mid-high handicapper golfers strike the ball from.

The larger sweet spot was noticeable throughout my testing, with the ball rarely falling more than five yards short of my target, even on what I would consider miss-struck shots. This is also largely due to the clever cavity-back design, which features a new Gelback TPU insert to help dampen vibrations. The head really does feel much like a forged blade wedge thanks to this insert and the Z-Alloy metal the head is made from - the same used in the premium Cleveland RTZ wedges.

The CBZ did launch a little higher than some other wedges I have tested recently, which is something those struggling with their short game will love. Despite testing these wedges on firmer turf, the ball launched easily with decent levels of spin and saw the ball landing softly on the green. This was backed up by the data I captured using my Foresight Sports GC3 Launch Monitor, as you can see below.

As I mentioned earlier, the CBZ wedges are made from the same material as the RTZ wedges, but they also feature the same Hydrazip technology to help manage moisture on the face. This face-blasting and laser-milled cross-line design changes throughout the lofts on the CBZ wedges. The higher lofts feature a rougher face blast with more laser lines than the lower lofts to improve spin consistency throughout each club.

Throughout my testing, the CBZ wedge proved to offer the exceptional feel you would expect from a premium bladed wedge, but with the ease and forgiveness of some of the best wedges for mid handicappers. If you’re prone to inconsistency with strike and attack angle with your wedges, the Cleveland CBZ wedges are certainly worth considering to sharpen up your short game.

Ever since seeing some MG prototype wedges arrive in the bag of TaylorMade’s staff professionals a few months back, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on what was to become the new MG5 wedges. A simplistic, yet premium aesthetic, is matched with a new forged head to offer a buttery-soft feel through impact. So, are the TaylorMade MG5’s in the conversation to become one of the best wedges of 2025? I took them out on the golf course and used my Foresight Sports GC3 launch monitor to gather data and analyze their performance.

While I loved the TaylorMade MG4 wedges, there was one main thing I was hoping would be changed with the MG5 wedges. That is the shaping, specifically the leading edge. To hear this leading edge has been rounded out a little more was music to my ears.

On the MG4’s I just found it to be very straight, and while this was fine for shots played with the face square to the target, I felt a little uncomfortable when opening up the face to hit more creative shots. This leading edge now sits beautifully on the ground behind the ball and looks as though I can slide the club under the ball, whether I’m opening or closing the face. This curvature is also replicated on the top line, which now flows much better into the hosel, rather than the straighter top line that ran directly into the hosel with the MG4.

Of course, the main storyline with these wedges is the fact that they are softer than any of TaylorMade’s previous wedges, thanks to being forged from a billet of soft carbon steel. The R&D team at TaylorMade had spoken to their tour players and concluded that a wedge can never be soft enough. The softer the feeling, the more control, and ultimately, this leads to better scores. I noticed this feeling as soon as I started clipping shots away. The ball feels as though it stays on the face forever, which helped improve my distance control when chipping and pitching.

To combat the extremely soft feeling forged head, TaylorMade has also introduced new Saw-Milled grooves, which push the groove design as close as possible to their legal limit. These grooves have steeper walls and sharper radii to help grip the ball and produce high levels of spin. Using TaylorMade TP5 Golf balls and one of the best launch monitors on the market - the Foresight GC3, I hit a series of 50-yard shots using the 54° wedge. I saw consistently high levels of spin, with the ball dancing around the pin once it had hit the deck. The lowest amount of total spin I saw within my 10-shot selection was 7625rpm, with the highest being 8274rpm, and my launch angle remained in a solid window at around 27/28°.

Despite living in England, believe it or not, I’ve been starved of wet weather to try the new Spin Tread Technology on the raw face of the MG5 wedges. This is a reimagined version of what appeared on the MG4 wedges, and TaylorMade is claiming it helps deal with moisture management on the face up to 13% better than on the MG4 wedges.

The idea is to help disperse water on the face, while the grooves can still grip the surface of the ball. This is supposed to also help with launch conditions when playing in wet conditions, rather than seeing the ball ride the face, launching high with less spin. I can say that I saw a minimal drop in spin when hitting shots from the rough and the bunkers, which is a fantastic confidence boost when finding yourself in a tricky short-sided situation.

I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed testing these new TaylorMade MG5 wedges due to the updated look at address as well as the control I felt I had on the ball around the greens. Depending on the ground conditions you play on or your angle of attack with a wedge in your hand, there are six different grind options to help you choose the best MG5 wedge for your game. I love the SB grind in my 50° and 54° while using the wide-sole SX grind in my 60° to help me hit every shot I need to around the greens and make sure the leading edge doesn’t dig too much through the turf at impact.

While I couldn’t recommend any more for any golfer to try and test these wedges in the higher lofts, I do feel as though mid-high handicapper golfers would benefit from a more forgiving wedge in a 52° or 50° due to the bladed nature of these wedges. Those who lack speed and consistency of strike may just need a little more ‘pop’ out of a gap wedge.

The TaylorMade MG5 wedges will retail at $199/£179 (£199/$219 for the TW grind) and will be available for purchase in stores and online starting August 7th, 2025.

As much as driving the ball long and straight on every hole may look impressive, I'm of the opinion that having a strong and reliable short game is the real key to unlocking better scores and lowering your handicap. The Callaway CB 12 wedge looks to offer the ultimate in assistance on greenside shots, but does it deliver this performance in practice to a level that can compete with the best wedges on the marker? I took it to the golf course to find out.

The Callaway CB 12 inspires confidence as soon as you put it down behind the ball. Its large footprint, thick topline, and cavity back design give it an inviting look at address. The leading edge sits squarely behind the ball and doesn’t have the excessive offset that can sometimes put golfers off from using one of the most forgiving wedges.

When I started clipping a few chips and pitches on the course, the forgiveness of this wedge was immediately apparent. The 12g perimeter weighting adds an enormous amount of stability to the head, particularly on off-center hits and especially full shots. While the margin for error is minimal with a traditional bladed wedge, I found there to be far more lenience with the Callaway CB 12 wedge. The chamfered leading edge is a clever design feature, stopping the club from digging into the ground and allowing you to ground out a touch early without being severely penalized.

As someone who likes being creative around the greens, I’m always a little skeptical when taking a larger, cavity-back wedge on the course, as I often find they lack versatility. However, the new wide tri-sole on the CB 12 wedge is a game-changer in the forgiving wedge space. I found I could open the face up to hit flop shots without the bounce interfering too much, as well as close the toe in to hit a lower shot without the club digging. It offers the best of both worlds - forgiveness when you need it and creativity as your confidence grows.

The urethane microspheres behind the face in the cavity offer a soft feeling through impact, minimizing vibrations while still providing plenty of feedback on the strike. This was something I loved about the previous Callaway CB wedge, and I’m glad to see this feature continue into this latest model.

And what about spin? The new OPUS groove platform provides plenty of it. I was impressed with the control I had on both full shots and delicate chips. The ball checked up nicely on the greens, giving me the confidence to attack the pin, even on shots where I was slightly short-sided.

The Callaway CB 12 is the ultimate wedge option for the mid-to-higher handicap golfer who is searching for some confidence and help from their wedges. It offers a fantastic blend of looks, feel, and spin while offering the forgiveness to those who require it.

The Callaway CB 12 wedge comes to retail at $179/£134 and is also available in graphite for those who require a slightly lighter or softer shaft option.

I have reviewed hundreds of golf clubs in my time at Golf Monthly but I don’t recall ever having put pen to paper about a chipper. That all changed last week when the new Odyssey Chipper arrived and I duly took it to my home club’s short game area to really put it through its paces.

I wouldn’t consider myself an especially bad chipper but having suffered on and off with the yips down the years (chipping one handed in a medal was a particular low point) I can see how, rather reluctantly, a club like one of the best golf chippers could provide some respite for those who become particularly anxious around the green with a traditional wedge in hand.

The design of this particular club is very clever. It has a large footprint behind the ball with three white lines on the flange that amplify where the face is aiming. While the sole width looks generous, it is actually stepped like on the current Callaway Apex UW club, to reduce the amount of sole that comes into contact with the ground.

Arguably the two most interesting features are the grooved polymer face insert which softens the feel and the longer, almost putter-style grip, which allows for you to adjust the playing length to execute shots in a manner that feels most comfortable for you.

My first impressions at address were that this is arguably as user-friendly to the eye as it gets. The white face insert frames the ball very well and the spongy grip creates a nice sensation in your hands. A great start, but from here it goes mostly downhill.

The Odyssey Chipper comes with 37° as standard, which is roughly comparable with my 8-iron, with which I happen to play chip-and-run shots when I have lots of green to work with between my ball and the flag.

I don’t mean to be flippant, but if you’re unable to nudge a ball forward a short distance with an 8-iron perhaps golf isn’t for you. From experience, it is on higher flighted shots with more loft and a longer swing where yippers really start to struggle. The Odyssey Chipper will not help you here. Every shot I hit with it came out extremely flat with minimal spin and plenty of release. Opening the face did little to raise the trajectory or spin and actually hindered my ability to get under the ball.

Clean contact was certainly easy to achieve, helped by the lie angle which encourages you to employ it much like you would a putter, although it is not completely duff proof. In fact I was reminded of my short game frailties a few times when I drop-kicked shots with the chipper barely half way to my intended target.

The chipper fared a little better on longer chips and pitches. I can see the appeal from between 25-40 yards from a tight lie and in my testing, it collected the ball cleanly and once I judged the landing spot and released nicely down to the flag.

Out of any sort of rough, however, this club struggled. You need more speed to get it through the grass, but this just resulted in hot shots rolling off the other side of the green. Finesse is not this club’s forte.

I’m fully aware that this club is not aimed at low handicappers, more at golfers who are at the point of desperation with their short game and that it will likely improve results overall in this case. But if golfers become too reliant on it, their short games will become so one-dimensional that any up-and-down scenario, from the rough or that requires some degree of height on the first shot, will leave a lengthy putt (or maybe another Chipper) at the other end, such is the performance the Odyssey Chipper provides.

As you can probably tell, it’s not for me, nor would I recommend it to beginners learning the game, but if all else has failed and you need a quick short game fix, the Odyssey Chipper is worth a go.

Fourteen is a Japanese brand that first released wedges 22 years ago and quickly became the most used wedges on the Japan PGA Tour. The ‘U-groove’ design created by the brand was said to be creating so much spin that they eventually got banned by the tour, but over the past decade, the brand has adapted and is now making some of the best-looking wedges in the game. The Fourteen FRZ wedges look a million dollars, but how does the performance compare to some of the best wedges on the market? I took them onto the golf course to find out.

First things first, these may just be the cleanest wedges I’ve ever seen. While they are offered in chrome satin, I couldn’t resist the smoky black finish - something I think just adds to the premium appeal of these wedges. The precision milling across the head provides beautiful detailing and will certainly have your playing partners peaking into your bag for a closer look.

The visual appeal of these wedges continues down behind the ball. The compact head will suit the eye of the more confident short game player but for mid-high handicappers, I would recommend a cavity-back wedge found among some of the most forgiving wedges on the market.

The FRZ wedges are forged from S20C steel, which offers an exceptionally soft feel through impact and will help with distance control. The clever design sees the CG positioned higher on the blade and towards the heel to allow golfers to produce the correct amount of spin depending on the technical shot they are looking to execute. The brand also claims that by shifting the center of gravity towards the heel and away from the impact point, the gear effect will help improve spin performance. While I did feel as though these wedges offered extremely high levels of spin, I wouldn’t say I noticed it dramatically fall or rise by hitting different shots with an open or closed face.

When on the fairway and green surrounds, these wedges chewed the cover off the ball (see the image above). The spin created from what I would consider slightly poor lies, balls sat down in the rough, was still really impressive. There are three different grind options to help you select the correct wedge for the course you typically play on, so I selected a versatile S grind low bounce option on my 60° and H grind option on my 56°, providing me with a little extra help for when I get a little steep on more full shots. There aren’t as many options as with the Vokey SM10 wedges or Callaway Opus wedges but I do feel as though the combination of three grind and eight loft options is more than enough for the majority of amateur golfers.

The bladed design, soft feel, and compact head profile on these wedges lend themselves more towards the higher-skilled golfer looking to upgrade their wedges. While I'm yet to put this wedge through testing on a launch monitor, the spin and control on offer certainly feel as though they rival those of any major manufacturer. However, due to the soft metal and lack of face blasting that I've seen used on some of the best wedges on the market, it will be interesting to see if the grooves and ultra-soft face hold up over time.

At £180 per wedge before any aftermarket shaft or grip choices, these wedges are certainly a sizeable investment, but if you want a high level of performance in one of the best looking wedges around, you’ll do well to find anything close to the Fourteen FRZ wedges.

Having a good short game is by far the most underappreciated aspect of the game. While it may look far more impressive to onlookers to smash a driver 250 plus yards, pitching and chipping the ball close and getting up-and-down regularly is what will see your handicap and your scores on the course come tumbling down. However, to be a skilled craftsman around the greens, your tools need to be up to the challenge. I wanted to see if the very reasonably priced (£79) Rife SCS1 wedge could offer the performance of some of the best wedges on the market at a fraction of the price.

Before diving into the performance of this wedge, it’s worth mentioning the premium look of the Rife SCS1 wedges. Designed from a stainless steel construction, the wedges are finished in a non-glare satin silver PVD plated finish, which I think looks superb but also reduces any glare you may typically face when using a wedge with a chrome finish. As for the detailing, there is some nice milling across the rear of the head and a small chrome bar, similar to that seen on the Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges.

I was a big fan of how these wedges sat down behind the ball. Despite being a bladed wedge, the top line is relatively thick, not quite as large as some of the most forgiving wedges, but large enough to inspire a good amount of confidence down behind the ball to those who need it. One thing that was a slight inconvenience was the sticker that was placed on the sole of the club left a sticky residue that couldn’t be removed with a quick scrub and therefore picked up dirt and dust upon first use.

The wedges are offered in two grind options, the S-sole and the C-sole. The former is seen as somewhat of a standard sole, designed with just a little trail edge relief so you can still open up the face and have the club slide under the ball, but created for golfers who play the majority of their short game shots with a square face. The s-sole is designed for those who want a versatile wedge option with ample heel and toe relief, so you can get creative around the greens.

It was the S-sole that I took out onto the golf course and I was extremely impressed with its performance. The head weight felt slightly heavier than a lot of wedges I have recently tested, which took a little getting used to, but once I became familiar with it, I felt as though I understood where the clubface was pointing throughout my motion the whole time. The feeling from the face is on the firmer side of the spectrum, which I wasn’t such a fan of, although despite the firmer feel, the milled grooves produced a solid amount of spin.

When playing from the fairway and green surrounds, the ball checked up very aggressively, albeit these are completely fresh grooves. However, when balls were sat down in the rough, I didn’t see as much action as I did with some of the best wedges for chipping, but enough to where I still had some control when attempting to get up-and-down. When it came to longer wedge shots with a full swing, the Rife SCS1 wedges produced a nice flight that wasn’t climbing too high, yet had enough launch to where I felt I could attack a slightly tucked pin.

The Rife SCS1 wedges are perfect for those getting into the game or simply want to freshen up their wedges for as cheaply as possible. I think these wedges look the part and offer more than acceptable performance given the extremely generous price tag, making them perfect wedges for beginners. The slight lack of spin control and consistency would worry me a little as a lower handicapped player and probably see me pay a little more for a wedge that offers those key attributes.

Cleveland Golf is known for producing some of the best wedges on the market, and the launch of the new RTZ wedge looks set to continue this reputation. The brand has moved to the name ‘RTZ’ rather than continuing the RTX franchise because of the new Z-Alloy steel the wedges are forged from, as well as to show familiarity and a sense of togetherness with partner brand Srixon’s new ZXi 2025 lineup.

Wedge releases have been few and far between in 2025, but the Cleveland RTZ wedges ($169/£159) are undoubtedly some of the best-looking wedges I have seen over the past couple of years. They look ultra-clean, boasting a minimalist look that will capture the attention of any golfer looking for a new set of wedges. While I tested the Tour Satin finish, these wedges are also offered in a black satin finish and Tour Rack raw ($189/£169) version for those wanting a slightly more understated look, both in the bag and behind the ball.

Down in the address position, the RTZ wedges boast a traditional profile, one that is fairly compact and rounded. The grooves on the face contrast against the milling on the toe and heel to frame the ball exceptionally well, but if you’re looking for a more forgiving image down at address, the RTZ wedges are available in a new ‘Adapt’ grind, from 54°-60°, which offer full face grooves for maximum versatility. While this wouldn’t be my preference in the lower lofted wedges, I quite like the idea of this in my higher lofted wedges when opening the face. Aside from the Adapt grind, these wedges are available in high, mid and low bounce options, so you can choose which would most suit your game.

So what does the new Z-Alloy steel offer? Cleveland is claiming this steel is 10 percent softer than the previous steel used in the RTX-6 Zipcore wedges, something they designed to offer the best feel and consistency in the new wedge lineup. I have to say, this was something I noticed when I first started testing these wedges, particularly on mid-range pitch shots. The ball does feel as though it stays on the face for a little longer, softening the sensation and providing plenty of spin.

Cleveland continues to implement Hydrazip and Ultizip tech in the face, helping manage spin and control in various scenarios. I found this to really kick in under wet conditions. The face blasting and laser-milled lines meant that even when testing in the morning dew, I still noticed how much more spin I was still generating compared to some other wedges I have tested in the same situation.

As a whole, I was really impressed with the Cleveland RTZ wedges. I have found that a lot of ‘players’ wedges that have launched over the past couple of years have had the CG placed almost too high on the face at times and while I understand that lowers the flight for control, sometimes I actually struggled hitting the high ball, attempting to get the ball landing softly on firm and bouncy greens. With the RTZ I felt as though it offered more of a mid-to-high flight as standard but launched as high as some of the most forgiving wedges on the market when I needed it to.

This flight adaptability was perfect when it came to chipping and pitching as well and meant I could be creative around the greens to access pins that were tucked on ridges or beyond slopes. This, combined with the new soft feel from the Z-Alloy steel, provided exceptional control and gave me the confidence I needed to get up and down more often. All in all this is an excellent wedge that competes admirably with the best on the market, including the likes of the Callaway Opus and Titleist Vokey SM10.

Hitting successful bunker shots can be rather puzzling part of the game for many golfers, especially high handicap players, due to different set of demands in the technique versus a normal chip or pitch shot. Golfers are required to gauge the density and amount of the sand in a bunker, the height of the lip as well as the point in which the club enters the sand, among many other variables that can cause confusion and frustration when the ball flies into the rough on the other side of the green or fails to get at all.

Getting the strike right, particularly if you have the wrong wedge set-up, can be especially difficult and is crucial to get right in the sand. I have personal experience of how much a poor short game can ruin a game of golf, so if you’re someone who struggles from bunkers, then you’ll be extremely pleased to hear Ping may have just come to your rescue with its new BunkR wedge.

While the Ping ChipR was designed with a mixture of lofts and lies from a variety of clubs to help those with the dreaded ‘yips’, the BunkR takes the best attributes from a forgiving wedge and essentially injects that with steroids. The BunkR mimics the footprint of one of the most forgiving wedges of all-time - the Ping Eye2. It has been designed to be played with a square face, limiting any need for manipulation and helping with consistency in setup. It’s certainly not as aesthetically pleasing as some of the best golf wedges on the market, particularly some bladed wedges such as the Titleist Vokey SM10 or Callaway Opus wedges, but in this case the design is very much function over form.

As someone who is used to opening the face of their lob wedge at address to increase loft and expose bounce a little more, I will say the BunkR took some getting used to. But once I became accustomed to seeing the leading edge set square to my target at address, popping the ball onto the green felt effortless. This wedge has been designed with 64° of loft and 14.5° of bounce to provide optimal launch and a club that simply wants to glide through the sand rather than dig down into it.

The feeling off the face from the Ping BunkR wedge was far more pleasant than I was expecting too. It produced an exceptionally soft feel through impact, generating plenty of spin on the second or third bounce, meaning tight flags could be accessed when the right amount of speed was delivered.

The ability to stand square to my target and just make the same move every time simplified the process of escaping the bunker and will, without doubt, make doing so easier for anyone struggling from the trap. The only time I noticed the excessive bounce not working in my favor was when there was less sand in the bunkers. I did see a few balls fly through the other side of the green, but after gripping down a little on the lengthened grip and moving my hands forward a touch at address, I managed to get the leading edge to dig a little on the firmer surface and let the 64° of loft take over to throw my ball nicely onto the green.

At $195 the BunkR is one of the more expensive wedges on the market. However, I feel the the enjoyment and ease of use of this club as well as the ability to chip with it outside of bunkers render it a worthwhile purchase for anyone suffering from short game woes.

Having a good short game is mostly determined by having a good technique but having the tools to help you is also a very important factor. The new Mizuno Pro T-3 wedges have been crafted through meticulous forging techniques, which the brand will hope gives these wedges unrivalled feel among the best golf wedges.

Forged from the same Grain Flow Forged HD technology and 1025 pure select milled carbon steel with copper underlay as the Mizuno Pro T-1 wedges, the Pro T-3 wedges offer the iconic soft feel through impact synonymous with Mizuno irons and wedges. Given how sweet the T-1 wedges felt when struck from the center of the club, I was curious to see if the shallow cavity-back design of the T-3 could replicate this.

After clipping a few shots from around the greens, I began to distance myself from the pin and began making fuller swings. I ran into a problem with the T-1 wedges when hitting full shots as the bladed design didn’t quite provide the forgiveness I was after if I was to mishit a shot. A grin came across my face when I realized this wasn’t the case with the T-3 wedges and I began to feel how stable the head was in comparison.

The more forgiving nature of the Pro T-3 wedge wasn’t purely on the fact it boasts a mild cavity though. By design, this wedge has a slightly longer blade length, which you notice when addressing the ball and I found this helped instil confidence when about to execute a shot. It’s by no means intrusive or as large as some of the most forgiving wedges but more so offers greater leeway on strike that not all of the best wedges for low handicappers do.

Despite a slightly larger blade length, the Pro T-3 wedge offers the same teardrop profile found on the Pro T-1 wedge. Mizuno has done an excellent job in making these two wedge designs match up with the relevant iron in the 2025 lineup. This T-3 wedge for example looks fairly identical to the impressive new Mizuno Pro S3 iron.

There aren’t quite as many sole options in the Pro T-3 (three) as there are in the Pro T-1 wedges (six). That said, each of the three grinds cater for different ground conditions, so no matter what turf type you regularly play on, there will be a Pro T-3 wedge to accommodate it. As I attack the ball differently with a 60° wedge as I do my 50° wedge, I could see how making a mini combo set among these wedges would be a good idea. Perhaps a 50° and 54° in the Pro T-3 due to its forgiving nature on full shots and then adding a 58° or 60° in the T-1 for a little additional feel and versatility on shorter shots.

The performance of the Mizuno Pro T-3 upon testing is what would best be described as complete. The same new Quad Cut+ grooves found on the T-1 wedges are used in the T-3 design and this really helps eliminate moisture on the clubface and deliver high, consistent spin in wetter conditions. I found the Pro T-3 wedge performed really well from the rough and delivered a slightly higher ball flight on pretty much every shot I compared among the two wedges.

As far as wedges go, the Mizuno Pro T-3 is like a Swiss Army Knife. It’s good for everything and would be a valuable addition to your bag if you’re looking to upgrade some or all of your existing wedges. As is the case with the Pro T-1 model, the Pro T-3 wedges come to market at a fairly punchy price of $179/£190 but I think the total performance on offer would make these a worthy purchase.

Having control around the green largely comes down to feel and there aren’t many brands out there that can replicate the sensation at impact that Mizuno offers. The Pro T-1 wedge is one of two new wedges released by Mizuno, alongside the Pro T-3. While the Pro T-1 wedge brings a refined new look, improving on the very impressive T24 wedge, I wanted to get it out on the golf course, put it through its paces and see if it can be considered one of the best golf wedges on the market in 2025.

One thing I love that Mizuno has implemented this year is the continuity in aesthetics between the wedges released and the irons in their 2025 lineup. The Pro T-1 wedge is a bladed players wedge that has been designed to offer the utmost in control and versatility - much like the Mizuno Pro 241 iron that is widely regarded as one of the best bladed irons money can buy.

The Pro T-1 wedge offers up a fairly compact, teardrop head shape that boasts so much shelf appeal both in hand and behind the ball. While I’m a massive fan of the soft white satin finish, there is the option of both blue and black ion finishes for those wanting to add a little color to the bag. While I’m not sold on the bright blue ion finish in hand, behind the ball I found the contrasting silver face frames the ball rather nicely.

So these wedges are very visually appealing but does the performance match the looks? Constructed from 1025 Pure Select Mild Carbon Steel and copper underlay, the Mizuno Pro T-1 wedge offers a buttery soft feel and feedback a level above most wedges I have tested over the past few years. Due to its bladed nature, it's not one of the most forgiving wedges on the market and I really noticed a drop off in ball speed when not striking the center of the face, so this is something to consider if you regularly hit full shots with your wedges.

While I tested these wedges in slightly softer conditions, I did notice there was plenty of spin being generated, particularly on smaller chip and pitch shots. Mizuno has introduced its new Quad Cut+ grooves and Hydroflow microgrooves on these wedges, which sees a tighter groove pattern on the face alongside technology that helps control moisture levels and therefore spin generation. As someone who lives in the UK, battling ever-changing conditions on the golf course is something I regularly face and so having wedges that perform just as well in the winter on wet turf as when I’m playing on firm and tight ground come the summer months is really important.

Knowing what bounce and grind options will suit you best plays a big role in your short-game performance. The Mizuno Pro T-1 wedges are offered in six different sole profiles so if you regularly play on soft ground, you may seek something with more bounce and vice-versa with firm turf. There is a new M sole which replaces the mid-bounce D-grind option found in the T24 wedge lineup and a new P sole (plus bounce) offers slightly more bounce than the D sole for additional versatility.

As someone who enjoyed the performance and actually gamed the T24 wedges, I was eagerly anticipating the launch of the Mizuno Pro T-1 wedges. It’s safe to say I wasn’t disappointed. The compact and sleek profile will suit the eye of the better golfer and the well-rounded nature of this wedge saw it perform well in every aspect of the short game. They do come to retail at £190 which is on the more expensive end of the spectrum but if you’re looking for a soft-feeling wedge with high levels of control and feedback, you’ll struggle to find better.

TaylorMade spearheaded the movement towards full-face grooves back in 2017 and four generations of Hi-Toe wedges later, the brand has released the Hi-Toe 4 wedge that looks to offer maximum versatility and performance. In order to see if the refinements have improved on its predecessor, the Hi-Toe 3 wedge, I took the new short-game offering out onto the golf course and put it through its paces, testing it from a variety of lies and distances.

WATCH: We run through the most forgiving wedges of 2024

First up, I love how clean the new TaylorMade Hi-Toe 4 wedges look. The refined aesthetics almost give this wedge a ‘prototype’ visual. I could see how some people would say it almost doesn’t look finished due to the large clear space on the back but this is a change I like. The copper finish is something that has remained consistent throughout all of the TaylorMade Hi-Toe models and the Hi-Toe 4 is no exception. This finish, alongside the raw face, helps reduce glare on sunny days and is a finish many tour players love.

The Hi-Toe 4 has the bottom groove filled with golf paint which has been designed to help with alignment, alongside the reduced offset found on the Hi-Toe 4 models. While I can’t say the offset was overly noticeable, I did appreciate how the colored groove helped me align the face to my target. These wedges are available in lofts from 50° through to 60° although the full-face grooves only feature in lofts of 54° and upwards. 

The face and groove pattern is the same as those found on the TaylorMade MG4 wedges - considered among the best wedges for spin control, certainly from our testing. I can’t say I’m a massive fan of the overall shape of the head and personally I prefer a slightly straighter leading edge, like that found on the Titleist Vokey SM10 or Ping S159 wedges, but that’s a matter of personal preference.

While the cosmetics of this wedge can be seen to help with the performance, the main storyline with the Hi-Toe 4 wedges is how versatile they are. The Spin Tread technology on the face meant that I saw really high levels of spin and control not only from the fairway but also from the rough. Laser etching is used to help repel water from the clubface, creating more friction with the grooves and the ball and therefore resulting in more spin and this is something I really noticed on the course. 

As someone who is fairly shallow with their attack angle and plays on firm ground conditions of a heathland golf course for most of my season, I tested the ATC grind option with 8° of bounce. This really helped me slide the club under the ball when short sided and get the ball landing softly with spin. If you don’t play your golf in firm conditions, don’t panic. One of the best things about these Hi-Toe 4 wedges is that they are offered in multiple grind options, designed to help golfers no matter what conditions they play in or the shots they like to play.

In the US, these wedges will be offered in five different grind options, some with less bounce and more relief for those who want to be more creative around the greens and some with more bounce and forgiveness, ideal for those playing on Bermuda grass in the south and want some help with those tricky chip shots into the grain. The ATV is perfect for this and when selected in this grind, the Hi-Toe 4 wedge could easily be considered one of the most forgiving wedges on the market.

In Europe, the Hi-Toe 4 wedges will be available in three of the five grind options available in the US catering for those with shallow, medium and steep attack angles. Choosing the right bounce and grind on wedges is something most golfers overlook and don’t appreciate how much difference it can make to their game. If you take less divots and sweep the ball you’re likely to be shallow and if you take big divots, you’re likely to be steep, from there you can usually get a good understanding of what bounce and grind will suit your game the best. If not, simply consult your local PGA Professional or club fitter who will be able to help you.

Overall I was really impressed with the new TaylorMade Hi-Toe 4 wedges and the performance on display when testing. Having the ATC grind was perfect for me, particularly on the firmer ground in the UK summer but it is only offered in lofts of 58° and 60°. At $179/£149, I feel the performance is justified and after choosing the right lofts and grind options, there’s no doubt the Hi-Toe 4 wedges will help golfers see better results when playing shots from into and around the greens.

Following on from the impressive Black Ops driver and fairway wood released at the start of the year, PXG is looking to compete with the best golf wedges thanks to the new Sugar Daddy III wedges. These 3x forged wedges certainly look the part but does the performance match the classy aesthetics? I took them out to the golf course to hit a variety of shots and find out.

One of the first things I noticed with the PXG Sugar Daddy III wedges before clipping a few away was how premium these wedges look. While I was a fan of the Sugar Daddy II wedges, they were a little large in profile and I wasn’t a massive fan of the full-face grooves, so to see this new model look more refined, compact and much more like a classic looking wedge was a huge win. They reminded me of how the Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges look behind the ball.

The Sugar Daddy III wedges are offered in a traditional chrome finish ($299/£279) and an Xtreme Dark finish ($349/£329). While the look of the traditional chrome finish looks superb alongside the CNC milling on these wedges, after just 18 holes I noticed the heads were marking up fairly easily, which was a little disappointing to see. 

Each golfer's action when pitching and chipping is different and that’s where these wedges stand out a little from other wedges on the market. The PXG Sugar Daddy III wedges feature Precision Weighting Technology to help golfers optimize their performance by building a wedge to their specific requirements. This technology is seen on the wedges through a large weight, located on the rear of the club. This weight is offered in 2 gram increments to help dial in the perfect head and swing weight for any golfer. If golfers have heads that are too heavy, the club can hit the ground early and will result in problems releasing the clubhead and poorly struck shots, so this is an important thing to get right via a fitting.

As well as the BP grind and the C grind found in the Sugar Daddy II wedges, PXG has introduced the new S grind to this year's Sugar Daddy III line up. The S grind will be offered in all loft options whereas the BP is only available from 54°-60° and the C only in 58° and 60°. The new S grind has been designed for golfers who play on a variety of surfaces and want a versatile wedge with adequate bounce when opening the face or keeping it more square. My personal favourite is the C grind with 7° of bounce. This set-up is perfect for my shallow attack angle and firmer playing surfaces. During my testing I found the BP grind to be ultra-forgiving, mimicking the performance of some of the most forgiving wedges thanks to the higher bounce and wide sole. While there aren't as many grind options as say in the Vokey SM10 or Ping S159 wedges, the three grinds with different bounce options will be more than enough for most club golfers.

While the full-face groove option is available in the BP grind, I feel as though the new compact and traditional head shape of the C and S grind will please golfing purists. Thanks to the extensive forging and CNC milling these wedges undertake, they not only look superb but feel incredibly soft and smooth through impact. This beautiful feel will please the better golfer and provide them with plenty of feel for complete distance control. The precision milled grooves offered a huge amount of spin from the fairway and more impressively from the rough. I tested shots up to 70 yards from both the fairway and the rough and actually saw the ball reacting similarly when hitting the green.

Overall I was really impressed with the PXG Sugar Daddy III wedges in terms of both the performance and the modifications made to the aesthetics over their predecessor. The refined, traditional looks and performance from a variety of lies means they're making a strong case make for a place in my bag.

There are a few things I look for when it comes to a new wedge, does it look good at address, does it perform well from different lies and are there different bounce and grind options to suit my game. In this review, I take the new Callaway Opus Platinum wedge out onto the golf course and put it through its paces to see if it should be a contender for your bag if you’re in the market for new wedges this season.

Starting with the looks. Every golfer wants clubs that not only perform well but look good both in the bag and behind the ball. The more you like the look of the club, the more confidence in it you will have - something that with short-game is particularly important. The name Opus Platinum suggests this is a little more premium than the regular Opus wedge and that is certainly the case. The Opus Platinum wedges look nothing short of spectacular, with a CNC milled back and available in both chrome and a PVD blue finish, these wedges straight away rival the looks of any of the best wedges on the market.

The Callaway Opus Platinum and standard Opus wedges both were shaped on tour-player feedback and so both boast a compact looking head with high toe peak and a slightly rounded leading edge, something that I feel will please the better golfer looking to be creative around the greens. 

Ultimately, the construction and performance of the Opus Platinum are what make it stand out compared to the standard Opus wedges. 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. The technology doesn’t stop there though. The tungsten holes that were seen in the back of the Jaws Raw wedges, that I thought were an eye-sore, have been replaced by a bonded 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. 

When I read about the lower flight, I was a little hesitant as I thought this might have a serious impact on stopping power but thanks to the same Spin Gen Face Technology found on the other Opus model, creating spin was no issue. I would say it’s worth noting that if you already hit the ball fairly low with your wedges, you may want slightly higher lofts if you choose to purchase the Opus Platinum wedges. The ball flight, particularly on three-quarter shots was a little too low for my liking and I tend to hit the ball fairly high as standard.

The Opus Platinum wedges certainly feel a little more solid and crisp through impact compared to the standard Opus wedges and I feel as though they were a little more forgiving. Not anywhere near as forgiving as the most forgiving wedges on the market but relatively forgiving in comparison to other compact design wedges.

Despite really loving the upgraded aesthetics of the Opus Platinum wedges which are fitted with a blacked-out dynamic golf shaft and Golf Pride MCC, performance wise, I would struggle to justify the $229/£229 price tag when the standard Opus wedges retail at just $179/£179. Both are brilliant looking and performing wedges but for me, I would like to see a significant difference in performance if I was to splash the extra cash for the Opus Platinum model.

While Titleist Vokey wedges have been regarded as the best wedges on the market for some time now, that could be all about to change following the release of the Callaway Opus wedges. The fresh name and look about these wedges will certainly catch the eye of all wedge enthusiasts, myself included and so as soon as these arrived on my doorstep, it was time to head to the course and put them through their paces to see what performance was on offer.

I can’t say I was ever a massive fan of the shaping or the design of the Jaws Raw wedges. I didn’t quite like the head design and I wasn’t such a fan of the tungsten weight ports on the back of the head, so to see Callaway revert back to a more classic looking bladed wedge with Opus is something I applaud. The Opus wedges look extremely premium and are available in both a chrome and black finish for those who want something a little different.

These wedges are what the brand is calling the most tour-validated wedges in Callaway’s history. Everything about the shape of these wedges has been designed based on tour-player feedback and so the shape of these wedges is one that I think better and more confident golfers will love. The higher toe peak and radius on the leading edge are just a few of the changes made over recently released wedges by Callaway. For those seeking a more drastic change in ball flight, the Opus Platinum wedges offered a much more piercing ball flight but still with extreme stopping power, however these do come in at a slightly higher price point of $229/£229 compared to the $179/£179 of the standard Opus offering.

While it’s imperative you like the look of a wedge at address, ultimately, it has to perform to a certain standard to earn a place in your bag. Callaway has introduced Spin Gen Face Technology to its Opus wedges - a combination of three factors to enhance spin and control. There are two extra grooves on the face of Opus wedges compared to previous Callaway designs, which reduced the smooth surface area. This is something that isn’t overly noticeable to the eye but the grooves do look slightly more compact on the face, similar to that of the Ping S159 wedges. Diagonal grooves run across the face between the main grooves for more friction when looking to cut across the ball and an aggressive face blast has been used for extra bite on shorter chip and pitch shots.

Interestingly, I wouldn’t say I noticed a tremendous difference between the Opus and my current gamer gap wedge, the PXG Sugar Daddy II, when playing from the fairway and green surrounds but the Opus produced outstanding levels of spin when coming from the rough. I saw my ball check up a lot more than I expected when hitting shots from thick, buried lies and the Opus gave me confidence to still play aggressively around the greens when I normally wouldn’t.

With four grind options available, golfers are likely to find a loft and bounce combination that will suit their game with the Callaway Opus wedges. While I opted for the S grind, otherwise regarded as the situation grind, because of its ability to help you in any situation, there is the W grind, for performance similar to that of the most forgiving wedges, the C grind for maximum versatility and the new T grind, inspired by tour players for precise shot making.

The combination of aesthetics and performance make the Opus home run from Callaway and after the release date (6th September, 2024) they may well find a place in my bag.

Benross has really made a resurgence over the past year or so, bouncing back into the market with some quality product at affordable prices that feature new technology and the appealing looks to match. The new REV 2.0 wedge comes to market at just £79 but the clean aesthetics give this wedge the look of a club that comes in at a far higher price point.

The dark satin gray gives the REV 2.0 a premium look and reminds me a lot of the nickel finish I love so much on the Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges. The looks of the REV 2.0 wedge don’t translate quite as well when the club is down behind the ball as the head is very large in profile and noticeably rounded in shape. The full-face grooves, said to enhance spin on open-faced shots, make the head look even bigger at address.

While the shape of the head and look at address didn’t particularly suit my eye, it reminded me of the shape of some of the most forgiving wedges. I could see how this wedge could massively boost the confidence of those struggling around the greens. The CNC milled face itself did relay a crisp feel when clipping balls and despite not liking the look of the full-face grooves, I thought they helped in situations when I was looking to be more creative around the greens.

When hitting fuller shots with the Benross REV 2.0 wedge I was surprised with how easy it was to launch the ball and create generous stopping power on the greens. Despite a bladed look found among some of the best golf wedges, the REV 2.0 wedge offered a really wide sole which made turf interaction smooth and pleasant, even in more sticky lies in the rough. The wide sole and high bounce combination in the 56° wedge I tested did make playing off firmer ground more difficult, with short-sided shots and shots playing off tighter turf proving particularly tricky.

All in all I think there’s exceptional value for money in the Benross REV 2.0 wedge. There was generous spin to be had even when playing from the rough and the soft 304 stainless steel face provided good feel, helping control distance and trajectory with chip and pitch shots. If you tend to get steep into the ball and need a cost-effective way to stop the club digging, this could be a good option.

As the resident wedge guru at Golf Monthly I test all of the best golf wedges on the market, whether they are bladed wedges like the Titleist Vokey SM10 or more forgiving wedges such as the Callaway CB wedge. But I’m not sure I’ve experienced a wedge that gives you as much bang for your buck as the Ram EZ-OUT wedge.

Watch: Most Forgiving Wedges 2024

It may not be a looker but if you simply want to give yourself a better chance at getting up-and-down more often, then this wedge could be what you’ve been looking for. The ultra wide sole and while the ‘V’ style design mean it’s harder to hit shots poorly than it is hitting shots well with this wedge. While the 56° wedge I was using didn’t specify what bounce was on the sole, it felt like a lot. This high bounce and wide sole combination is what makes this wedge so forgiving, not only on full swings but with pitches and chip shots as well. 

The head itself has a large profile that is much more rounded than I personally prefer but I can understand why golfers struggling with their short game may like the spoon-like head with rounded leading edge to feel as if they can pop the ball up easily.

Like the aesthetics on the Ram EZ-OUT wedge, the sound and feel aren't anything to write home about. The feel is very firm off the club face and the solid sound through impact is one that will take a little getting used to. Despite this, the overall performance of the wedge was actually very strong. Other than the wedge being seriously forgiving, it produced adequate levels of spin while chipping and pitching. The face hasn’t been given the same amount of attention as some of the other most forgiving wedges on the market, so while there is ample spin and good launch from a clean lie in the fairway, there is a noticeable drop in spin when playing from the rough.

Because the face doesn’t feature any spin milling or face blasting for additional friction, I found the ball rising up on the face and launching high when making full swings. While this may suit golfers looking for more height with their wedge play, others may feel as though they lose a little control of the ball flight.

At the end of the day the Ram EZ-OUT wedge is phenomenal at what it’s designed to do, which is to be as easy as possible to use and should be regarded as one of the best wedges for beginners because of that. It doesn’t feature anywhere near the amount of technology as some other wedges on the market from the leading brands but retailing at just £29.99, it represents superb value for money for nervy chippers or those who want a simpler, stress-free solution around the green.

The past couple of years has truly been a resurgence for Wilson Golf, noticeably after the release of the Dynapower driver and fairway woods at the beginning of 2023. The brand has made a serious effort to once again establish itself as a major player in the equipment space and shows no signs of slowing down with the release of the Staff Model ZM wedges. 

Watch: Best Players Wedges 2024

I have tested some brilliant wedges released this year, including the likes of the Titleist Vokey SM10 and Ping S159, both of which are already considered some of the best wedges on the market and the Staff Model ZM wedges look every bit as good on the eye. These wedges boast a real classic-looking profile and the detailing on the back is fairly simplistic, which is to my preference. The eagle-eyed amongst you will notice the iconic Wilson shield logo has been refined and stripped back to where it doesn’t have any text - a really nice change that makes it look and feel more premium.

I’m a huge fan of how this wedge looks down behind the ball. The leading edge is on the straighter end of the spectrum, but there is enough curve to it to inspire a touch of confidence to those who may be seeking it and helped me when testing and finding myself in smelly lies around the green. I would say this wedge is aimed at the better player though with its slightly more compact head design and so those less confident may look more towards some of the most forgiving wedges.

The head itself is made from 8620 forged steel and has gone through garnet face blasting and ZM precision milling to create more friction and increase traction and performance, particularly in wetter conditions. It did take me slightly off guard with how firm the face felt through impact - some may want something that feels like the ball stays on the face for a little longer. The spin produced on the Staff Model ZM wedge was generous but nothing to write home about. I saw good reception on the greens from pitch shots and fuller wedge shots, yet not quite as much spin when hitting shorter shots within five to ten paces of the green.

One of the cool options offered by Wilson with these Staff Model ZM wedges is the high toe and full-face groove offering in the 56° to 60° wedges. This is technology we have seen from the likes of the TaylorMade High-Toe wedge and offered in the Callaway Jaws line up. I tested the 54° model which had 8° of bounce - a couple less than I was used to, although I did enjoy how this wedge glided through the turf and made it really easy to hit high, floating wedge shots into slightly more tucked away pin locations. There are three bounce options available with the Staff Model ZM wedges, high, medium and low.

Overall I would say this is a really good looking wedge with decent performance to match. It didn’t perhaps feel as soft as I would have liked through impact but it’s worth noting this is very much personal preference. The Wilson Staff Model ZM wedges will come to retail at $149/£145.

As is often the way, I stumbled across Edison Golf whilst scrolling through my Instagram feed. I have always liked the concept of a wedge that provides some extra forgiveness and have leaned towards products like the Ping Glide 4.0 and even the Eye 2 from Ping back in the day, so when I glanced at what appeared to be a slight cavity in the back of what looked like a beautifully crafted head, I was immediately curious. So let’s see if the Edison 2.0 can compete with some of the most forgiving wedges on the market.

I was fortunate enough to be provided with the four wedge set up from Edison which retails for $799.80 or £643, and was immediately struck by the quality of the finish. The 5x forged 1025 carbon steel heads look absolutely stunning with what is referred to as the Edison Pearl Chrome plating. 

Down behind the ball, once again these wedges are fantastic visually. When researching the target market for the Edison 2.0, I wondered whether they may be a little oversized or clumsy looking, but absolutely not. In fact, from a size and proportions standpoint, I wouldn’t say they were any larger than premium wedges such as the Titleist Vokey SM10 other than a marginally thicker top line. The shaping of the heads are really nice too, nothing too angular and all the curves are in the right places, framing the ball beautifully.

I started my testing with some shorter chips around the green, playing a variety of shots and trajectories as I had quite a wide loft spectrum to work with having been sent the 45°, 49° 53° and 57° heads. The feel is a little different than you may be used to, but it is far from unpleasant. There is a liveliness to the strike that is actually quite enjoyable from a feedback point of view, but interestingly I didn’t notice any jumpy shots that flew further than I would have expected, which was reassuring. In fact, I found the performance around the greens to be really strong with excellent spin levels and a very effective and versatile sole. 

The sole is named after designer Terry Koehler, and was spawned from a trip to Scotland many years ago, during which Koehler was having trouble striking his pitch shots cleanly from the tight Scottish links turf. The sole combines a high bounce leading edge - which helps to avoid the dreaded fat shots - with a low bounce rear portion, and I found the combination to be extremely versatile from a number of lies.

Apart from the sole, the main tech story centers around the weight distribution in the club head. According to Koehler, most premium wedges have been designed with the elite players in mind, and when you look at the wear marks on the wedges of these players, they tend to strike between the second and fifth grooves. However the average player will tend to strike a bit further up the face, so Edison has placed mass higher in the head of the 2.0 to try to position it more directly behind, or even above strike location.

On the longer pitch shots and full swings, I found the Edison 2.0 wedge to be extremely effective. With the mass positioned so high in the head, I found my ball flight coming down a touch and once again spin levels were strong. It is difficult to quantify, as all mishits aren’t created equal, but I did get the feeling that I was getting some assistance from the design, and mishits were doing surprisingly well in terms of proximity to the hole.

Edison provides every odd number loft from 45° all the way to 59°, but can and will bend to your requirements. If a 54° wedge is your preference, then the 53° model will be weakened a degree to fill your requirement.

There are several customisation options in terms of shafts, grips, loft, length and lie adjustments available also. In addition to the four wedge set I received, you can order a set of three ($599.85 or £483), two or even single wedges ($199.95 or £161). 

I was genuinely impressed with the Edison 2.0 wedges. I thoroughly enjoyed the high quality aesthetic and the performance matched up. The technical reasons behind the design make perfect sense on paper, but also more importantly on grass. The sole design is excellent and provides good levels of versatility for a multitude of ground conditions. I would have no hesitation in recommending Edison 2.0 wedges to anyone but especially mid-to-high handicappers.

As a former collegiate and Mini-tour professional golfer, I have always gravitated towards a more blade-style wedge for the sleek looks, soft feel and spin on offer. But after some time away from the game caused by injury, my short game suffered upon my return and so I’m on a mission to get my chipping and pitching back to where it had been previously. I took one of the latest wedge releases, the Cleveland CBX 4 Zipcore, out on the course to see what performance was on offer.

Watch: Most Forgiving Wedges 2024

First off it’s worth mentioning how good they look in the bag. Even though I lhave leaned towards more compact wedges in the past, such as the Titleist Vokey SM10 and TaylorMade MG4, the idea of a cavity back wedge actually makes sense.

I think about some of the best wedges for beginners that typically have a large footprint and thicker topline to inspire confidence and the CBX 4 Zipcore has these traits too without screaming game improver, especially at address.

While the CBX 4 Zipcore wedges certainly don’t look small behind the ball, the rounded leading wedge allowed for versatility around the greens, meaning I could be creative and hit different shots with different flights and spins to access certain pins. This was something I wasn’t expecting and a feature that all the best golf wedges possess. The CBX 4 wedges feature some really clever face blasting technology, the brand is calling ‘Hydrazip’ - a laser milled line to enhance surface friction and promoting spin in dry or damp conditions. 

The CBX 4 Zipcore wedges feature the same Zipcore technology found in some of the best Cleveland wedges that include the impressive RTX6 wedges. This 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 allowing 7.8 percent more MOI than in previous generations and optimum CG placement. I noticed this higher CG lowered my ball flight a little on fuller shots, which I feel actually gave me more control and therefore more confidence, especially on windy days. Mishits weren't punished half as bad as if I was using one of my older bladed wedges and saw my ball falling on or around my target more than not when hitting full shots with these wedges.

This cavity back wedge also felt great off the face and that’s probably due to a vibration dampening insert on the back of the head, but still allowing enough feel and feedback that the better player or more confident ball striker would look for. It felt a little firm when chipping, which some people may like, but I’m someone who prefers a slightly softer feel. These wedges did really help around the greens when it came to consistency of strike - the wide sole on these wedges really helped me gain some confidence thanks to a larger margin for error. These wedges are offered in three different grinds to help anyone, no matter their tendency of delivering the club slightly more steep or shallow into the ball.

The CBX 4 wedges are a really strong option for those looking to upgrade their wedges this season and provide really high levels of performance and forgiveness that golfers of all abilities will benefit from. I would say they are aimed slightly more towards the higher handicap golfer due to the feel and size of the head but low handicappers looking for more assistance around the greens should definitely look into testing the Cleveland CBX 4 Zipcore wedges given the spin performance on offer.

The Cleveland CBX 4 Zipcore wedges are available now in steel (£159) and graphite (£169) in lofts from 44° up to 60°, so you can build a full set of wedges to match the forgiveness of your irons.

When most golfers think of Ping, forgiveness usually comes to mind. More so with the metalwoods but deserves more credit for what it produces in the wedge category. Ping has released some of the best golf wedges in recent times and the S159 wedges look to continue this trend, following on from the Glide 4.0 and Glide Forged models.

Watch: Best Players Wedges 2024

After the recent release of the Blueprint T and Blueprint S - both already considered some of the best irons for low handicappers, Ping is treating us with the blade-style S159 wedges and they look amazing. As soon as I took the wrappers off these heads, I stood and marvelled at them for a good five minutes. A clean, simplistic design is something I look for in a wedge and the S159 wedges certainly deliver on that brief. 

I opted for the ‘hero’ chrome satin finish and you'd be hard pushed to find a better looking wedge. The black banner on the rear highlights the classic Ping logo and there is a subtle ‘S159’ stamp down on the hosel. While these wedges look good in hand and in the bag, they also look great down behind the ball too, which is as important to me as it is most golfers. 

I’ve had my fair share of short game issues over the past few years and so having a wedge that looks great behind the ball and gives me confidence is huge. While the topline is slim and, relatively speaking, they're fairly compact, the profile is a little larger than the new Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges. I think this will promote added confidence when faced with more challenging approach shots, which was my experience when stood over the ball. The wedges were designed in conjunction with the Blueprint irons and so blending the S159 wedges with the Blueprint irons will offer a seamless transition from your irons down into your wedges.

After getting these wedges out on the course and having a play around, I became even more impressed. 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 - something nearly every golfer will love. The Ping S159 wedges produced a really consistent, mid-high trajectory, which allowed me to attack pins and be really aggressive with my short game. 

Despite playing on fairly soft greens when testing on the course at North Hants Golf Club in Hampshire, the Ping S159 wedges produced frankly a ludicrous amount of spin on chip and pitch shots (more than any other wedge I've tried in the last year), but thankfully didn’t over-spin when it came to fuller wedge shots. These wedges are easily some of the best wedges for chipping I have used in the past few years, allowing me to predict exactly how my ball was going to react when chipping and pitching allowing me to send the ball further up the green in the knowledge the ball would stop almost immediately.

The S159 wedges will come in what Ping is calling Hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish as well as a 'midnight' darker finish. The cleverly spaced progressive grooves help produce more friction on the face and therefore generate better spin, particularly when playing in conditions where moisture is likely to get between the ball and clubface. This is something other manufacturers have also tried to do, like TaylorMade with its MG4 wedges. 

While these wedges don’t provide the full forgiveness on offer like some of the most forgiving wedges or best wedges for beginners, that isn’t what they were designed for. 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. Needless to say, I was very impressed with these wedges and there's a very strong possibility these will be going straight into my bag for the upcoming season.

Ping understand the importance of having wedges that work for individual golfers swing and strike tendencies and so they have created the WebFit Wedge App. The app allows golfers to complete a questionnaire online (It took me less than two minutes), answering questions about their wedge game, shots they look to hit with certain wedges as well as their divot patters. From this, the app will provide one or two grind options that will suit your game best and you can play in confidence that you are playing the right grind and bounce options for your game, all without having to travel and pay for a custom fitting!

The Ping S159 wedges will be available in six different grind options and will come to retail at $197 (steel) and $212 (graphite).

While full face wedges have been around for a couple of years now, Cleveland has introduced some new technology to its RTX Full-Face 2 wedges in order to maximize performance and throw themselves into the running to be crowned one of the best golf wedges released this year. 

When testing the likes of the TaylorMade High-Toe and other full face wedges in the past, I have found that the extended length grooves running from heel to toe really make the head look large behind the ball and definitely takes some getting used to. The new Cleveland RTX Full-Face 2 wedges do still appear a little spoon-like at address because of this but it's compact enough to still appeal to the better player. The design on the back of the wedge is clean and provides strong shelf appeal.

As much as I praise full-face grooves when placed on some of the most forgiving wedges because they still produce added spin on off-center strikes, the full-face design is still beneficial for more confident ball strikers who like to open the face up and cut across the ball. This normally results in the ball being struck slightly out towards the toe, which can reduce spin in some cases. But thanks to a 34 percent larger surface area, I noticed straight away while testing that I was getting really good grab when I was opening the face up and trying to execute pitch shots I wanted to stop to attention. Admittedly the greens were very soft, but I really noticed the ball checking up and even spinning back a little from shots under 50 yards away - something I rarely see.

This high level of performance is probably down to the new technology introduced on the faces of the RTX Full-Face 2 wedges. New Hydrazip face technology sees the faces laser milled and dynamic blasted in order to create more friction on the face and therefore more spin and optimal performance, even when playing in the rain or early morning dew. Cleveland has realized that lower lofted wedges need less friction, so the wedges with lofts 50°-52° have slightly less friction than the sand wedges and lob wedges, as these would require a touch more control to become some of the best wedges for chipping around the greens.

While the RTX Full-Face 2 wedges aren't quite as large and forgiving as some of the best wedges for beginners, the strategically placed CG in these wedges allows for a high MOI and consistent launch with a decent level of forgiveness for a muscleback-style wedge. Despite feeling a little firm off the face, the ball reached a similar apex every time when testing full shots, allowing me to gauge distance and attack the flags.

Once again, Cleveland has produced a really solid wedge with plenty of tech to help it perform well when hitting multiple shots out of a variety of lies. For anyone who hasn’t tried a full-face wedge and has been thinking about making the switch, you won’t need to look further than the Cleveland RTX Full-Face 2 wedge.

The Cleveland RTX Full-Face 2 wedges will be available in a ‘Tour Satin’ and ‘Tour Rack’ - a raw option. The Tour Satin wedge will come to retail at $179 and the Tour Rack $199.

Bob Vokey joined allegiance with Titleist in 1996 and not long after the Titleist Vokey wedges were brought to life. Since their inception, Vokey wedges have been considered the gold standard when it comes to wedges, offering premium looks, exceptional performance and market-leading versatility. Titleist has designed the new SM10 wedge to build on the well-earned reputation of being considered the best wedge and 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.

Watch: Best Players Wedges 2024

So if the previous SM9 Vokey wedges are considered the pinnacle, what changes have been made to the SM10 wedges to enhance their performance? Truth be told, the aesthetics of the SM10s have changed very little in relation to their predecessor when seen at first glance, but there are a few subtle differences.

The SM10 wedges feature progressive shaping which I think gives these wedges a superb look at address in all loft options. The stronger lofted wedges, such as the 46° through to 52°, are actually a little smaller in head shape compared to the more lofted wedges and feature a straighter leading edge compared to the sand and lob wedges in the line-up. The straighter leading edge is something I really like the look of when it comes to wedges and so the progressive shaping design is something I’m a big fan of. 

While the more lofted wedges have a more rounded leading edge than the stronger lofted SM10 wedges, they still appear a little more sharp at address compared to the previous model. Other than that, wedges with lofts 54°-62° have a marginally larger footprint, which certainly will help give golfers more confidence when standing over tricky short-sided chip and pitch shots where playing a lofted shot is a necessity.

The Vokey SM10 wedges will be offered in three different finishes - a traditional chrome, the matte black that was available on the SM9 wedges and a new nickel finish, which is my personal favourite. Titleist sets the standard when it comes to wedge set-up options with 25 different combinations of loft, bounce and grind. There are six tour-proven grind options, including the T grind, which has replaced the low bounce L grind option - definitely one for the more confident player or a golfer with much shallower pitching action.

While the Vokey SM10 wedges appear to have seen minor changes cosmetically compared to the SM9s, 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. I conducted my initial testing indoors using Titleist Pro V1 golf balls on a Trackman 4 launch monitor at My Golf Matters, Berkshire, before heading out on the course to see how the SM10 wedges performed in different conditions. 

On average with a 50 yard pitch shot, I saw both wedges perform very similarly with spin rates separated by only 50rpm (revolutions per minute) with the SM10, registering slightly higher than the SM9 wedges at 6750rpm. The SM10 began to distance itself in regards to spin when it came to a 75 yard shot, picking up nearly 200rpm more than the SM9. Hitting shots from this distance out on the course was where I noticed the significantly lower ball flight on offer from the SM10 wedge. 

The added spin I experienced in SM10 is likely down to individually cut TX9 grooves, which differ based on the loft or finish of the wedge. Micro-texture between the grooves creates added friction on the face helping create further spin and therefore provides more control around the greens. Heat treatment is applied after the grooves have been cut to actually firm up the face and make the grooves supposedly last double the duration of previous designs - time will tell on this.

Like with the shaping of the SM10 wedges, Titleist has incorporated progressive CG placement throughout the range of lofts available. The CG has been moved towards the center of the blade and away from the heel of the club, as well as further forward to help bring the flight of the ball down. Longer hosel lengths as well as a slightly thickened top line have been introduced but without becoming intrusive when the wedges are placed down at address. For those less confident with their short game, it may also be worth considering some of the most forgiving wedges. 

These changes have been made to help square the face quicker and provide more control with that lower flight. I much preferred the lower ball flight as I feel far more in control of my distances this way. The lower flight and higher spin combination allowed me to attack tucked pins and know I was going to have enough spin on the ball to keep it on smaller areas on the greens. 

The Titleist SM10 wedges have definitely progressed versus the SM9 wedges, albeit in a minor way. In a market space where you are already considered the industry leader, I think improving your product even a little deserves a lot of praise. The lower flight and heightened spin is something I feel will improve my wedge play this year and I’m certain will do the same for others.

Golfers will be able to be fitted into the Titleist SM10 wedges from the 15th February - something we highly recommend given the vast options available, while the general on-sale date is the 8th March. The SM10 wedges will retail at $189 and will come equipped in a True Temper Dynamic Gold S200 shaft and a new Titleist universal 360 grip.

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. Crafted from one-piece Grain Flow Forged HD Boron in Hiroshima, Japan, the T24 wedges have seen small refinements made over the excellent T22 wedge to enhance the look, feel and performance. 

My initial thoughts on these wedges visually were how much I liked the simplicity of the design. They have that timeless look to them comparable to the Titleist Vokey SM9, widely regarded as the industry leader in the wedge category. I tested the Mizuno T24 wedge in the Soft White Satin finish, which is my personal favourite, although these wedges are also available in a striking Denim Copper and Tour Raw finish, just like on the T22 range.

I took these wedges out on the course to do some testing around the greens, in tricky lies and with more full shots and I really was impressed with what I saw. The T24 wedges are available in five different bounce options, all of which have been designed to allow players with specific club delivery the best chance in succeeding around the greens. Based on Tour player feedback, Mizuno has created a new ‘V’ grind, designed with high bounce and aggressive relief on the leading edge, ideal for those who are slightly steeper with their angle of attack. While there are grinds suitable for those who get both steep and shallow into the ball, those after a more forgiving wedge should consider the sister S23 wedge as an alternative. 

The 56° wedge I was using was Mizuno’s 'D' grind - a mid bounce option, with moderate relief for gentle manipulation. While it’s worth noting that all of the T24 range possess Wrap-Around sole relief - a design process that has seen increased relief on both the heel and toe to allow for better versatility - I did notice that I could be very creative when greenside. Closing the face to produce lower shots with more run, as well as opening the face to create more height was not an issue and the additional relief became particularly beneficial when my ball came to rest in an iffy lie around the green and I had to manipulate the clubface a little in order to try and hit the ball close to the hole. The higher lofted wedges are said to feature a more rounded leading edge, compared to the straight edge of the lower lofted wedges, although I wouldn’t say this is too prominent.

I think when hitting longer pitch shots and more full shots was where I really began to enjoy using the T24 wedge. While I’m fully aware that hitting spinning, flighted wedges like Justin Thomas and the world's best takes countless hours of practice and proper technique, technology and design also plays a key role. The new Quadcut+ grooves sit slightly closer together on the face than on previous designs and helped me produce plenty of spin, ideal for attacking tucked-away pins on the firm greens where I was testing. The spin-weighted blade design has also seen the upper portion of the head flared, which then produces a lower, more penetrative flight, one I really enjoyed when trying to control my distances on the course and what made me believe this has to be one of the best wedges I have tested in 2023.

With multiple loft, grind and finish options, Mizuno has really hit the nail on the head with the T24 wedges. I would still say they are better suited towards the more confident short game player, due to the compact head and lower flight, although the high spin characteristics and multiple bounce options mean this wedge would still perform well for higher handicappers that like to get creative around the green.

The Mizuno T24 wedges will be available from the 15th September, 2023, both in the US and Europe, with an RRP of £185.

TaylorMade MG4 Wedge Review

A lot of the time when we think of groundbreaking technology within golf, we automatically think towards the top end of the bag and how some of the best drivers and fairway woods have been designed to hit the ball a little further and straighter. But for TaylorMade, this innovation has transferred over the wedges with the new MG4 designed to offer high levels of control in both wet and dry conditions while also providing the feel and shot-making versatility golfers expect. 

Watch: Best Players Wedges 2024

I was already a big fan of the aesthetics of the MG3 wedge, but with the MG4 there’s an emphasis on combining a more inviting profile with a players' wedge shape. It does this via a slightly more rounded top line and improved hosel blend, plus it has a slightly larger footprint than its predecessor. While the head is slightly larger than the MG3 wedges, it isn’t as large as some of the most forgiving wedges available, like the Hi-Toe 3 wedge for example.

The main talking point of this wedge is the face - run your thumb over it and it instantly feels coarse like a fine grit of sandpaper, which you know will help generate friction with the ball to generate spin. 

The MG4 wedges can be purchased in a tour satin chrome or tour matte black, both of which look superb and nicely contrast the raw faces on the wedge. These raw faces now boast a new Spin Tread Technology, which is a laser etched treatment used on the face to create what looks like car tire tread, creating face roughness and in turn, creating more spin. This technology has been designed particularly to deal with moisture management, allowing water to escape the surface of the wedge, so it can have better contact with the ball, therefore creating more spin. These are sure to be some of the best wedges for chipping because of this, especially when short sided.

While I managed to head to the course on the one day there was no moisture on the playing surface of this particularly wet English summer, I manufactured some damp playing conditions by pouring some water on the face and ball and hit a few shots to see if the hype behind the technology could be trusted. I can confirm it can. I was actually a little shocked with how well the ball still managed to check up on the green when damp. Granted these conditions could not replicate playing in a heavy downpour, but I think it would be fair to compare them to a morning dew at the very least.

I loved the look of the wedges behind the ball at standard address, as well as when I opened or closed the face to create different shots. There was a noticeable difference with fuller shots with the MG4 wedges compared to other wedges I have tested this year. The ball flight was slightly lower which I particularly like and feel in more control of. Peak heights were also pretty consistent through the loft range thanks to the progressive toe pad thickness, so you don't get those shots with the higher lofted wedges ballooning up into the wind.

More weight has been positioned behind the middle of the face in a reconstructed backbar to allow for golfers to desired shot shapes and a greater feel through impact. The combination of design and performance of the MG4 wedges has them straight away contenders as the best wedges on the market.

It's also worth mentioning the CNC milled soles, which I think gives them a little more zip through the turf from tight lies. There are multiple bounce options available in the TaylorMade MG4 wedges including various low, standard and high bounce options, as well as the TW grind, inspired by Tiger's gamers and built for ultimate versatility around the greens.

The TaylorMade MG4 wedges will be available to purchase from the 8th September 2023 in lofts ranging from 46° through to 60° and will retail at $179/£159 with the TW grinds available from $199/£199.

If you buy a TaylorMade wedge, take a look at our TaylorMade discount codes.

 Callaway CB Wedge Review

Picture the scene: you’re thirty feet from the flag, on a down slope, short-sided, on a muddy lie, with a bunker between your ball and the pin. Flash forward 20 seconds and your ball is now in the greenside bunker. Sound familiar? Trust me, you’re not alone. While I’m unfortunately in no position to offer technical advice to improve your short game, the new Callaway CB wedge may just be the cheat-code you have been looking for if you struggle around the greens.

Watch: Most Forgiving Wedges 2024

This honestly may be as close to a ‘quick-fix’ as it gets when it comes to fixing short-game woes. Admittedly, the CB wedge may not be as sleek in design as some of the best golf wedges on the market, the uplift in performance on offer for those who struggle with consistency of strike will be almost immediate - it's certainly one of the most forgiving wedges money can buy.

The fairly large cavity back design is designed to offer maximum forgiveness on all wedge shots. These wedges are available in lofts from 48° of loft through to 60°, but the full face groove design is only available on the wedges running from 54° through to 60°. The full face design I 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. 

The face is covered in the same Jaws grooves used on the likes of the Callaway Jaws Raw wedges. These faces have been ‘face blasted’, a process which creates roughness on the faces to help them create extra spin, regardless of conditions. I certainly found this to be evident upon testing, especially on pitch shots where it’s hard to swing with enough speed to create large amounts of spin - I was seeing a good amount of action, even when hitting onto firm greens.

One thing I was initially skeptical about with the CB wedge was how high the leading edge sat against the ball, but the cleverly constructed sole and pre-worn edge provided what can only be described as ‘pure’ turf interaction on almost every shot. While there is plenty of bounce on these wedges, (12° on the 60° wedge) I felt as though sliding under the ball was no issue at all, proving why it should be considered on of the best high bounce wedges. While admittedly I would tend to lean towards a lob wedge with a little less bounce, I could not fault how easily the CB wedge popped the ball in the air with plenty of spin when hitting from a firm playing surface and I have no qualms in suggesting this wedge would perform just as well on softer turf.

The feel was actually what surprised me the most about the Callaway CB wedge. With its large cavity back design, I thought a little feel may be sacrificed for the sake of forgiveness. While it’s not quite as buttery smooth as some of the premium forged wedges on the market like the Jaws Raw, Vokey SM9 or the TaylorMade MG3, the CB wedge is the first Callaway wedge to feature Urethane Microspheres, which have been placed behind the face to provide exceptional feel and acoustics to this forgiving wedge.

The CB wedge is certainly one of the best Callaway wedges in the range, due to how extremely easy it is to use and I believe golfers of nearly all abilities would be able to slot these versatile wedges in their bag without sacrificing any performance or versatility.

If you plan on buying a Callaway wedge, take a look at our handpicked Callaway promo codes.

Golf chippers will never be for everyone. For some, it'll be a pride thing: 'There's nothing wrong with my chipping technique, thank you.' Others will want to take help wherever they can get it - and this is just what the best golf chippers offer, lots of assistance around the greens. So, if you're struggling with your chipping, read on...

The Inesis Chipper has 37 degrees of loft. Its satin/silver finish looks really premium, and although it features lots of alignment assistance and thin black markings, I wouldn't say this makes the club look cheap or not very aspirational. In other words, I don't think it screams, 'I have a chipping problem' - which is a good thing!

You'll also notice a slightly offset shaft hosel design, which does look a little bit odd when you pick it up and look at it from the bottom. Down behind the ball, though, and there's nothing odd about it - it looks good.

The key for me is that it sits a little bit more upright than, say, for instance, your 9-iron might, which allows you to get over the ball a bit more at address. The shaft is also significantly shorter, further helping you to get into a putting posture. 

Some people would argue there’s no point in carrying a chipper because it’s very much like a 9-iron but, for me at least, that's not the case - it's quite different, designed specifically for the job of hitting chips shots. Another big positive is the extra fat grip that Inesis has put on it. This creates the feel of having a putter in your hands.

One of the first things you'll notice when you pick it up is that it's quite head heavy. Again, I think this is a good thing as it replicates how the putter feels in the hands. 

During my testing, there were two areas in particular where the Inesis chipper came into its own - from bare and muddy lies. As many of you reading this will know, these are the spots that fat and thin contacts can often come into play. However, by using a club that's designed for a more simple (putting-style) technique you should be able to find the strike you're looking for. 

However, for anything that requires more of a chipping technique, with some added wrist hinge (let's say you are chipping from thicker rough), I would want to revert back to my regular lob wedge. For me, this is where poor strikes come into play and is where the best wedges have an obvious advantage.

Bare lies in the summer, muddy ones in the winter... yes, it'll be effective. I can see it being especially useful then, where you're just looking to carry the ball onto the front of the green and let it roll out.

At first, I struggled with the distance control, but you will get accustomed to it. It’s got quite a chunky head so when you catch it right out of the middle the ball really goes; when you don’t quite catch it, the ball kind of dies on you. It just takes a bit of practice to get that consistent strike.

Golf chippers have made a little bit of a resurgence of late, and even the big brands have dipped their toe in the water with this category, such as Ping and its ChipR wedge. This model from Inesis comes in at a more affordable price point, and that might make it a little bit more appealing, especially if you're just wanting to play the odd shot with this club or see if it will suit your game.

I'm a fan. It's not staying in the bag, but should I start struggling with my wedges around the greens, I know this could be a good option to turn to. 

Cleveland Smart Sole 4 Wedge Review

Perhaps the most forgiving option among Cleveland’s comprehensive wedge range is the Smart Sole 4. As a 3 handicap index player and relatively confident chipper, this product is certainly not aimed at me but I was able to pass it on to the perfect candidate. A good friend of mine, let’s call him Mr H, who is clinging on to a single-figure handicap but struggles frustratingly with the chipping yips. I passed on a 50° sample for him to employ over multiple rounds. Here’s his story and how he got on with the Smart Sole 4 wedge...

Mr H: Whenever I play a foursomes format I always tell my partner “If you can’t reach the green then leave me a 100 yard shot” as I can’t handle anything shorter into and around the greens -  it’s been that way for about six years now. In plain terms, I having the chipping yips. I get that deep anxiety even thinking about chipping never mind standing over the ball. I was at my wits end, condemned to an eternity of chunks or thins, or so it seemed.

Out of the blue a friend calls me and reckons he has the answer to all my problems The Cleveland Smart Sole 4 wedge. He has similar demons and claims it has turned his game around. This club comes in three loft options, 42°, 50° and 58°. It’s finished in a very appealing matte dark grey which gives it quite a premium, stealth-like look that stands out among the best golf wedges. I opted for the 50° as it seemed to offer the best of both worlds in terms of forgiveness and loft, plus I could swap it out for my regular 50° approach wedge without adding an extra club to the bag.

The wedge has quite a large face which is adorned with plenty of grooves, some in places you think would never meet with a golf ball but hey, they’re there if ever called into action. Looking down at address it looks just like a regular wedge but all the tech and help is going on out of sight underneath. The extra wide, three-tiered sole coupled with added leading edge bounce is the key to its design with the sole getting progressively wider as the lofts go up - making it one of the most forgiving wedges money can buy.

Testing it out initially on my artificial grass lawn the results were promising and I was clipping the ball nicely off the forgiving fake turf but the real test would come when I took it to the course. Golf coaches will tell you that the key to chipping is to get the bounce striking the ground rather than attempt to lift the ball off it and that’s where the Smart Sole 4 comes into its own - it's one of the best wedges for chipping. After a few practice swings without a ball I was brushing the short mown turf nicely without leaving a mark.

I placed a ball down and told myself “trust the sole”. I made the swing with only that thought in my head and “Hey Presto” - I watched in amazement as the ball flew gently through the air and even checked on landing. This was a feeling that I had been missing for so many years. I continued to clip balls with a renewed confidence that I wouldn’t duff the shot and after a short while noticed that the horrible anxiety that I usually felt was subsiding with each successful chip.

I’m not saying that I’ll never chunk or thin a chip ever again but I’m no longer standing over the ball thinking all the bad thoughts of the past. In short, it definitely does what it is intended to do and that is to instil the confidence back into those that lack it. I’m now more confident that I can get my eight handicap back down to the four or five of the not too distant past.

It's not completely one-dimensional but if confidence levels rise enough to the point that you want to get creative around the greens, you may need to switch to something with a narrower sole and a little more heel relief. But for basic chip shots, the Smart Sole 4 delivers consistency and confidence.

Cobra Snakebite X Wedge Review 

Cobra has exceeded all expectations with this club - the brand's first dabble in the forgiving wedge space, which includes models like the Cleveland CBX Full-Face 2 and Mizuno S23. I would never have thought I would have enjoyed playing with a cavity back wedge as much as I have done with the Cobra Snakebite X. The ease of which this club can get you out of jail means it instantly became one of the best wedges I have tested to date.

Watch: Most Forgiving Wedges 2024

The oversized hollow cavity back design provides extreme forgiveness and versatility to assist in a range of lies. I was amazed at how soft the wedge felt thanks to the TPU insert located behind the sweet spot. The groove technology is the same featured on the bladed Snakebite 2023 wedge in order to deliver incredible spin and performance.

The wedge is available in four lofts 48°, 52°, 56° and 60°, all of which come with a fixed bounce and a new teardrop shaped grind which could easily navigate the tight lies and deep bunkers of Cleveland Golf Club. It was one of the best high bounce wedges I have used, with the 56° wedge having 10° of bounce, which meant there was plenty of forgiveness through the turf and help when the ground was wet. It also kept the speed up through the sand on bunker shots, popping the ball out nearly every time.

A feature of the Snakebite X wedge is all of the lofts are complete with grooves which span the entirety of the face to provide maximum spin performance on shots with an open face, much like we see on the TaylorMade Hi-Toe 3 wedges. This is one area I thought this club would struggle. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth: whether I was on the fairway, in the sand or hacking out of the rough no matter how much loft I applied, this wedge was up to the task. 

As a golfer who plays whatever the weather I was able to see that there was very little difference in performance in dry and wet conditions. The brand claim the new face milling pattern produces 50 per cent more spin in wet conditions than the previous generation wedge. Another element adding to the spin of the club is the Snakebite groove technology. This is an ultra-precise CNC milled groove which uses sharper edges and a larger groove volume to deliver maximum spin.

While I did have a lot of fun playing with this wedge I understand it will not be to everyone’s liking - some may want a more compact profile or the ability to manipulate the face more open or closed depending on the shot at hand. However, for those who struggle with their wedge game, or are new to the game, this is undoubtedly a wedge to consider as it is extremely forgiving - making it one of the best wedges for beginners. Cobra has succeeded in creating a wedge which ensures confidence while not sacrificing an element of creativity. 

Cobra Snakebite 2023 Wedge Review

Cobra may not be the first brand you think of when looking for a new set of wedges. However, you should not be hasty in dismissing these clubs. Compared to some of the best wedges released in 2023, the Cobra Snakebite performs just as well in dry and wet conditions, which I had the pleasure of discovering. Cobra has introduced a new face milled blast in order to maintain spin rates in wet conditions and increase spin by 50 per cent over the previous model. 

Aesthetics of a club are an important aspect for most golfers and these wedges certainly tick that box in both the satin and QPQ (black) finishes. The wedge is very refined and simplistic I am sure will be to the liking of many golfers. At address, the club sits very square and invitingly behind the ball. The shape is reminiscent of the popular Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore wedge.

Perhaps the only element of the club’s aesthetics which could be off-putting is the notch on the back of the club, which is in the center (classic) or heel (versatile) depending on loft. The versatile notch on the 58° and 60° enhances performance on open face shots and allows for the sole to glide quicker through impact increasing launch and improving spin.

The ultra-precise CNC Milled Snakebite grooves provide a soft feel along with maximized spin and performance. The Snakebite groove technology incorporated in these wedges delivers progressive spin technology to optimize spin and control when playing full shots, pitching and chipping. From 48° to 54° the narrow deep grooves are 40 per cent sharper and 3 per cent deeper than the older generation. Wide shallow grooves feature in the 56° to 60° wedges which are also 40 per cent sharper and 19 per cent deeper than its predecessor. Knowing how many and which wedges to carry is imperative to giving yourself the best chance to score well.

Around the greens I found success with these wedges, especially out of the bunker and rough – credit for this has to go to the full face grooves and not my talent. As someone who prefers wedges with traditional grooves, I prefer the less lofted wedges (48°-54°) visually. Despite not being a massive fan of the full face grooves I was certainly able to see the benefits they had on my short game, specifically out of the sand and tall grass. Having well tested these wedges I would say the full face grooves found on the 56° to 60° wedges would benefit a whole host of golfers in improving their short game and helping them to spin the ball around the greens.

Moving away from the green, I found distance control incredibly easy to gauge when playing fuller shots and pitching. I also found it fairly easy to manipulate the ball flight, which made playing with these wedges very enjoyable and noticed they were some of the best wedges for chipping. As someone who doesn’t always get on too well with their wedges the Cobra Snakebites felt good, looked good and performed well. What more could you ask for? 

With these wedges being available in a range of lofts and a selection of bounces and grinds they can easily challenge some of the most popular wedges like the Titleist SM9's and the Ping Glide 4.0 wedges for a place in your bag. 

Bettinardi HLX 5.0 Wedge Review

Bettinardi is a brand that often flies under the radar when releasing new equipment but the product is not to be overlooked. Some of the best players in the game, such as 2022 U.S Open Champion Matt Fitzpatrick and Matt Kuchar, trust a Bettinardi putter to get them over the line on a Sunday afternoon.

The new HLX 5.0 wedges are available in two contrasting finishes, a forged chrome and a stealth-like forged graphite PVD. Both options look superb in the bag and the level of detail created from the milling is visually stunning. This milling prowess is also highlighted by the honeycomb pattern seen on the face of some of the best Bettinardi putters. These new-look HLX 5.0 wedges have been designed to offer tour-level performance by raising the center of gravity by five percent to allow for lower flighted wedge shots, in-turn giving the user more control. The raised center of gravity as a deign element is something I love, as I always look to flight my wedges lower but have always had to have custom-built, heavier shafts in order to help me achieve this trajectory I look for.

One of the ways the Bettinardi HLX 5.0 wedges have been refined for ultimate performance is by being forged from a soft carbon steel, in order to give players an unrivaled feel around the greens and use on any ground conditions. There are two wedge grinds available, the C-grind and the RJ-grind. The former will appeal to those who play wedge shots in a traditional manner with a square face and has less bounce to help with shots from tight lies. Conversely the RJ-grind is a high-bounce, versatile sole that allows golfers to manipulate their setup in order to produce a variety of shots around the greens. 

During some recent testing of the HLX 5.0 wedges, I played a numerous of rounds on both damper turf conditions as well as dry, firmer ground. Interestingly I actually preferred and felt more confident using the C-grind on the softer ground. Despite the narrower sole, I felt I could still open up the face and use the bounce to my advantage on some iffy muddy lies. I think as someone who drives through chip shots and takes a small divot, less bounce is something I naturally gravitate towards.

The RJ-grind 58° model I used on the firm turf did however surprise me. I typically play a 60° wedge with very little bounce due to my technique, however the HLX 5.0 wedge filled me with confidence, providing exceptional relief off the tightly cut surrounds and allowed me to hit high, spinny approaches, making it one of the best lob wedges I have used. This is also largely down to the Bettinardi Helix Cut machining tool, which allows the American brand to create more pronounced groove depth and in-turn allows the wedges to create more spin.

All in all the Bettinardi HLX 5.0 wedges are a serious contender among the best golf wedges on the market. Because of the narrow top line and lack of cavity, these wouldn't necessarily be considered some of the best wedges for beginners, yet aimed at a more proficient ball striker. There are a few minor blemishes that stop the HLX 5.0 wedges being considered the best in the game. Firstly the C-grind and RJ-grind are the only two grinds available, compared to the likes of the Titleist SM9 franchise which has over double the amount on offer. The other would be the higher price tag of the HLX 5.0 wedges that retail at $220/£219, but due to the use of premium materials and fine milling, I would say the price is somewhat justified. The wedges are available in seven loft options from 46° to 60° and can purchased directly via the Bettinardi website.

Mizuno S23 Wedge Review

Mizuno is known for producing world class forged golf clubs and the S23 wedge is no exception. The Japanese manufacturer has designed a wedge which not only preforms exceptionally but also looks incredible. Feel is for many golfers as important as looks and performance, and the S23 is certainly not lacking in this department. The buttery soft sensation is created through the one-piece Grain Flow Forging process.

The S23 differs from conventional wedges because Mizuno has introduced a central sweet spot. It has achieved this by shortening the hosel and adding a heel-orientated cavity which allows for greater mass to be moved towards the toe of the club. Mizuno did something similar with its ES21 wedge although the sweet spot was not completely central.

The centralised sweet spot has been incorporated to allow for longer impact time, less head deflection and higher spin from full and partial shots – while the first two are hard to visibly judge, the spin was outstanding. With the sweet spot being in the centre of the club it feels like you're delivering a more consistent strike because of how stable the head feels and only adds to the high overall spin rate.

Having used the wedges for several rounds they show very little signs of wear in both durable white satin brush chrome and copper cobalt finishes, something we also noticed on the new Mizuno RB Tour x ball. The copper cobalt tackles glare while the white satin brush chrome transitions seamlessly with most irons - the choice is yours, but neither will disappoint.

The wedges are intended to have an effective long lifespan with quad cut milled grooves (which are loft specific) cut into Boron infused 1025 mild carbon steel. Despite being a fair weather golfer, I was unfortunate to have been caught out in a light shower which gave me chance to see Mizuno’s HydroFlow Micro Grooves in full force. These Micro Grooves are laser etched to release moisture and reduce spin drop off in wet conditions and I still got plenty of grab when the face was clearly wet.

There are a wide range of lofts from 44° to 62° with bounces to suit each loft and player. Each wedge has its own loft-specific profile with stronger lofts featuring a tear-drop straight edge, flowing into a more rounded lob wedge. Versatility is very important with wedges, especially the lower lofted wedges, therefore it is important to find the right grind of the four available (S, C, D and X).

The Mizuno S23 wedge performs exceptionally well, feels incredible and looks great - especially sat behind the ball, inspiring confidence aplenty. Mizuno is undoubtedly a maker of some of the best golf irons, especially blades, and it has manufactured one of the best golf wedges I have ever had the pleasure of playing in the S23. It is certainly a wedge for you to consider putting in the bag.

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Cleveland CBX Full-Face 2 Wedge Review

The Cleveland CBX Full-Face 2 wedge steps in to fill the gap that most golfers find in their cavity back iron sets. As lofts get stronger the club marked P for pitching wedge in the set gets stronger and longer, so the CBX Full-Face 2 maintains the cavity back design for wedges from 50° to 60°.

VIDEO: Watch Martin Hopley test and compare the RTX6 Zipcore wedge versus the CBX Full Face 2

The Cleveland CBX Full-Face 2 features all the spin increasing features that you find on the blade Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore wedge. The HydraZip blast finish improves spin in the wet and the UltiZip grooves are sharp, deep and tightly spaced to give plenty of spin in any conditions, making it one of the best wedges for chipping and consequently earning a place in our 2023 Editor's Choice.

What makes the Cleveland CBX Full-Face 2 stand out is that the grooves are the full width of the face and also go right up into the toe so that you can open the face and be able to get the maximum spin on the ball.

The Cleveland CBX Full-Face 2 features a lighter 116g True Temper Dynamic Gold 115 Spinner Tour Issue shaft that manages to combined stability and feel with a lighter feel that suits this club and gives a D4 swing weight from 54° upwards. This means the Full-Face 2 is one of the best golf wedges for beginners, with it also featuring an 84g Project X Catalyst 80 Spinner graphite shaft too.

The sole features a standard Full Sole grind on the lower lofts which helps makes this one of the most forgiving wedges on full shots. On the higher lofts from 54° upwards, the Cleveland CBX Full-Face 2 uses a C-Shaped Sole that has more relief in the heel and toe.

The wider sole gives you more margin for error so you can play the CBX Full-Face 2 relatively straight and it will still pop the ball up. Bounce is your friend and the 12° bounce on the sole of every wedge in the range will be your buddy if you get your hands in the right position at address. It certainly ranks highly in the best high bounce wedges department.

The higher lofted 60° CBX Full-Face 2 is particularly good as a ‘get out of jail’ club as the wider sole and extra loft gave a high floating shot however accurate you were with the strike. I was able to use this from tight and heavy lies around the green to get the ball up and out of trouble easily and is a club to consider even if you have blade wedges elsewhere.

Despite the fact that it is a cavity back, the feel is really good thanks to the TPU gel back insert that sits in the cavity to moderate the sound. It does not sound like a cavity back at all and the feedback will put a smile on your face.

Cleveland have been doing this style of cavity back wedge for a while now and the CBX Full-Face 2 is one of the best versions they have done. It’s good to see a brand creating a quality cavity back wedge to blend in with modern irons sets, and we see this as one of the best Cleveland wedges that money can buy.

Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Wedge Review

The Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore wedge is the latest in a long line of blade wedges from the brand that stretches back to 1979. The numbering has come back and before any of you ask where RTX 5 went, it was actually the previous Cleveland RTX ZipCore wedge that skipped the nomenclature.

VIDEO: Best Players Wedges 2024

Most of the innovations in the RTX6 are not visible to the naked eye. In the hosel, the ZipCore insert is made of up to 95 percent more aluminium and silicon material than before. This is lighter than the 8620 carbon steel and therefore saves weight in the hosel that can be moved elsewhere in the head to make the RTX 6 more forgiving by increasing the MOI by up to 20 percent. Consequently, it is one of the most forgiving wedges money can buy.

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.

In dry conditions, the RTX 6 maintains the same high levels of spin as the best golf wedges, but in the wet Cleveland claims all these improvements increase spin by 43 percent. As I was testing this in sunny Spain, I could not verify this claim, but suffice to say the spin was excellent.

The Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore wedge features a relatively heavy 126g True Temper Dynamic Gold steel shaft. Whilst this makes the club feel slightly heavier in your hand, during the swing the extra weight gives you more control and I preferred being able to relax my hands and let the weight of the club do the work. A graphite shaft option is also available for a lighter feel.

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. These are some of the best sand wedges and best lob wedges, as they have 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.

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 and you should definitely consider it for your bag.

As many parts of the world continue to feel the squeeze of the cost of living crisis, extra cash that might have been available to invest in golf equipment is likely to be at a premium. Luckily, there are alternatives that still pack a punch but don't hit the wallet quite as hard. One such brand offering incredible value for money is Ram, and I was keen to test out its Tour Grind wedge. It has an eye-catching look and promised big things, but in this market of fine margins, how would it stack up against the best wedges available?

As always, I'm going to start with the aesthetics. From the back, it has an unusual look, with the lofts stamped in bold, but it grew on me. Over the ball, the leading edge wasn't as straight as I like to see and the top line was a little chunky, but it was still an inviting at address visually - certainly nothing that wouldn't put you at ease. In addition, the balance is excellent, on the heavy side if anything, which is a positive. 

Where this club really excels, however, is around the greens. I was blown away with the amount of spin I was able to generate from the precision milled grooves when chipping and pitching. So much so that I questioned the club's legality (it is fully conforming). Having tested a host of the best wedges this year, the Ram Tour Grind easily holds its own among the heavyweight contenders.

The feel off the face was a little firm but I had such confidence when trying to play a shot that required full control. Whether that was nudging something low or taking the aerial route, the ball stood to attention in such thrilling fashion. There are few better feelings on the course. 

This was helped by the turf interaction. Bounce options are limited in this range but the 11° on the 54 worked wonders on the links turf at Royal Troon, while the 9° on the 58 made it easy to open up and manipulate the loft without exposing too much of the leading edge. 

Moving further away from the green is where I encountered a few difficulties, which mainly centred around the ability to flight the ball how I wanted to. On full shots, I found forward momentum harder to come by than usual. Instead, the ball would balloon a little and therefore not travel the distance required. 

It's something I played around with and got a handle on, but for anyone playing in wind, it's worth taking into consideration. That being said, the overall experience with this wedge was excellent and one that surprised me. At a fraction of the price of the premium models, it represents incredible value for money for a host of handicap ranges and is easily one of the standout performers of what has been a great year of wedges.

The Pinemeadow Wedge may not have the heritage that the major wedge brands command, but that does not mean it should be put out to pasture, especially if you are going to judge it on the price tag of around $40.

There are five lofts from 52° to 68° and I tested the 64° UW, which is marked on the sole as a fourth wedge and good for shots of up to 30 yards. This distance guide is about right as I could get 35 yards at a push, but keeping a steady rhythm with a long steady swing is more important when you have this much loft in your hands.

Pinemeadow claim their wedge has one of the largest faces in the market and whilst it did not seem oversized at address, it is quite generous with a wide and high toe area. This puts more weight on the opposite side of the club from the hosel which will help the forgiveness.

The leading edge has a nice curve on it to enable it to get under the ball more easily and even though it seems biased towards the toe again, it does the job very well. The wedge sits very well at address with a rounded high toe look and a ‘dark tumble’ finish. The Pinemeadow logo on the face takes a little getting used to as it looks like a big scratch, but you soon forget about it.

If you need a club to get the ball vertical from short range then the Pinemeadow really delivers. Almost from any lie the combination of the leading edge and the 5° bounce on the wide sole would flop the ball up and land it softly.

It was particularly good from rough and bunkers, especially if there was very little sand, which can happen a lot on certain types of courses. The only proviso is that you need to play the club square and not open it up so that the sole can do its job.

Surprisingly for a club at this price it features a decent grip and an Apollo 125 gram shaft that make the Pinemeadow wedge a very compelling offering and one of the best wedges for beginners.

It would be fun to try the 68° UW+ wedge to see how vertical that went and I am sure it has the same playing characteristics. The more regular gap and sand wedge lofts will probably be good options if you want more forgiveness at longer distances. However as a ‘get out of jail club’ for those on a budget, the Pinemeadow UW wedge should bring you to pastures new.

The name of the Lazrus wedge should inspire you to come back from the dead positions most of us find ourselves in around the green. This forged head has all the classic looks of a quality wedge and is available in three lofts of 52° (8° bounce), 56° (12°) and 60° (10°).

The face is milled and gives decent levels of spin from the additional score lines between the grooves that are there to create more friction with the ball at impact.

Around the greens the Lazrus wedge performed very well and the feel from the head was as good as some of the best golf wedges. The shape is classic and despite the fact there is only one bounce option for each loft, the sole gives plenty of options for opening or closing the face.

The sole is reasonably generous and features a curved leading edge which helps with the forgiveness of the wedge from tighter lies. The Lazrus wedge is equally as good from the sand, fairway and longer grass so this is a very versatile wedge.

If you like black finishes then the Lazrus wedge is for you, although it will wear off over time. If you use it from the sand a lot then it will fade quite quickly as we found in testing.

The blue paint fill may not convey a premium look for some, but everything else about the business end of the club does. It performs well and offers good feel, which is important as the price at $147 is up there with some of the higher profile wedge brands.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the 35.25 inch unbranded stepped steel shaft and the rather thin grip which don’t have the same quality feel. They let the Lazrus wedge down a bit and at this level of the market, the investment in better quality components would make the Lazrus a real contender.

Mizuno T22 Wedge Review

Spin control is the trait golfers immediately look for when trying new wedges but the next is undoubtedly feel - both through the ground and off the face. Mizuno has looked to cover both off with the T22. Spin comes from the loft-specific Quad Cut milled grooves and laser etched HydroFlow Micro Grooves that release moisture and reduce spin drop off in wet conditions. Great feel comes from the layer of copper underneath the chrome finish, like we saw on the MP-20 irons, as well as the fact the heads are one-piece Grain Flow Forged. This pure feel from the T22 wedge earns them a place in our 2023 Editor's Choice.

There are also three finishes to choose from: a nickel chrome, raw and a stunning new denim copper finish. The raw finish has that tour authentic look but does start to rust quickly all over, so perhaps steer clear if you like your wedges to look pristine.

The denim copper really grew on us, but it does seem to scratch up quite easily. The chrome will be the most hard wearing and match better with golfers’ iron sets. The shape at address is similar to the old T7 wedge, very traditional and relatively compact. The thicker top section in the higher lofts has been hidden well and the denim copper finish is absolutely stunning.

Strike a few chips away and the super soft feel is obvious. The ball seems to stay on the face for an eternity, especially in the raw finish, and the resulting shot is a low-flighted checker that stands to attention. The overall spin we had on a variety of shot lengths was excellent and we still had good control around the greens when testing on a dewy morning, too.

The flight across the lofts was very consistent in terms of height. We tested a 48°, 54° and 58° and the peak trajectory didn’t vary too much on full shots, a feature many of the best golf wedges possess as it makes the ball flight more predictable.

The 48° is very iron like in the way it sets up - it’s an easy transition from a short iron in a set. In the 58° you can see the thicker toe section that helps bring the flight down but it hasn’t been bevelled in a way that somewhat hides its thickness. Versatility was also a stand out feature. With four grinds to choose from, the choice is ample and all attack angles and shot types are catered for, making the T22 one of the best wedges for chipping the ball close from different lies.

With its moderate heel and toe relief, the D grind was our favorite in our chipping loft, allowing gentle manipulation of the clubface depending on the shot required without altering the turf interaction too much. The S grind worked well on full shots and for golfers that want something more aggressive, there’s the C and X grinds. It’s worth noting there are three options to choose from in the 56° wedge alone, expanding the choice so more golfers can get the set up they want in their most used wedge slot.

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Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge Review

The goal of the MD CB wedge was to provide a more user-friendly option with which to chip and pitch without sacrificing control or versatility (you can read about the technology here) and we have to say this has comfortably been achieved.

These wedges certainly look like game-improvement, cavity back irons, especially in the lower lofts (46-52°) as the faces have regular grooves and the full sole grind. Transitioning up into the higher lofts (54° and above) and the design changes into full face grooves and a slightly lower leading edge to allow you to open the clubface.

One reason you would normally open the face is to increase the bounce and make the sole less prone to digging, but that isn’t required here. The super-wide soles mean there is much more resistance with the ground at impact, so if you catch it slightly early you can still get away with it. As such this wedge quickly made it into our guide on the most forgiving wedges and they are also some of the best wedges for beginners as a result.

It also means this wedges are very effective out of bunkers, helping the club get through the sand while maintaining speed instead of diving down too deeply, too early. Wet compacted sand would be a different story, but golfers don’t face this scenario too often.

Looks-wise, these wedges are large but for nervy chippers, the extra size behind the ball may be very welcome. The leading edge is quite rounded, allowing for the shorter bottom groove, and the satin finish works well in varying light conditions.

With such a wide sole, we questioned whether the full-face grooves, which really come into their own when the ball is sliding up an open face, would be necessary. But we were surprised at how flush the leading edge sat to the ground when we opened the face of our 56° sample, given it had 14° of bounce.

This meant we were still able to play a variety of shots with it and the longer stock grip allows you to choke down more easily too. Additionally, the spin control was excellent too, with well struck shots from the fairway and sometimes the rough stopping to attention on the second or third bounce.

The forgiveness on full shots also impressed and the feel off the face was also appealing - they didn’t feel firm or harsh, they in fact followed the trend of game-improvement irons feeling and sounding softer and quieter respectively.

Cobra King Snakebite Wedge Review

Sometimes less is more and that appears to be the methodology adopted by King Cobra when it comes to wedges. Or perhaps there is such confidence in the Snakebite model that the company doesn't feel the need to dilute its line-up. Whatever the case, I was eager to test it out and find out how it stacked up against the best wedges on the market.

I always like to start with the aesthetics, for the simple reason that that's what you see first. In this regard, it certainly made an impression. It's very shiny, which took me a while to get used to, but I grew to really like it. The market is awash with a growing number of finish options, but among them, few are as standout as this. 

I tested it in 52°, 56° and 60°, the former of which had a classic profile and traditional grooves, while the latter two had a wider, shallower shape and full-face grooves. This combination makes a lot of sense as strike location naturally trends towards the toe as the loft increases. 

In the interests of full disclosure, I have never opted for full-face grooves in my set, but I have enjoyed testing wedges with this attribute. Around the green, I'd put the performance of a full-face Snakebite wedge up there with the TaylorMade Hi-Toe 3 wedge, which is a compliment. It allowed me to open the face safe in the knowledge the drop-off in performance for an off-centre strike wouldn't be as stark, which was especially handy when in the rough or a bunker. 

In fact, perhaps nowhere do full-face grooves have such an impact as in the bunker - both measurably and psychologically. The sand can be a daunting place for amateurs, but the extra relief on offer with this wedge goes some way to removing the fear factor, while adding no shortage of control, making it easily one of the most forgiving wedges available.

When chipping, the workability was excellent, as was the spin on offer from Cobra's new groove technology aimed at helping golfers create more 'bite'. The brand says its Snakebite grooves are 11% deeper and 40% sharper, pushing the tolerance level right to the limit. Truthfully, if my set make-up was based on spin alone, these might have to go in the bag. 

Moving away from the green, it was on full shots that I struggled a little, especially with the 56° and 60°. Specifically, it was harder than usual to hit the lower flight window I like to see. I don't know if this was because of the shape or if it was psychological as I've always found full-face grooves make a wedge appear more lofted than it is. It's definitely a case of personal preference here, however. 

One more thing that perhaps holds it back from competing with the highest-performing wedges is the limited grind options. Three there are and it's safe to assume the majority would opt for the middle-of-the-road versatile option, which offers heel, toe and trailing-edge relief, meaning most swing types will be able to manipulate the face quite easily.

Elsewhere, there is the classic grind - the highest-bounce option which will be better for those who have a steeper angle of attack - and the Widelow grind, which Cobra says will work wonders out of soft bunkers and medium rough conditions.