Wedges are just irons with higher loft than numbered irons. Golfers think of wedges as being a whole other category of clubs, which is understandable.
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They are designed to play shots for which the golfer wants the ball to ascent and descent sharply, like strokes played out of sand, chip shots, pitch shots and short approach shots mostly 120 yards and in.
The 4 Types of Wedges in Golf
- Pitching Wedge (PW)
The lowest lofted of wedges, between 44 to 49 degrees - Gap Wedge (GW)
Lofted between pitching and sand wedge at 50 to 54 degrees, therefore called a ‘gap’ wedge - Sand Wedge (SW)
Used for shots out of bunkers, lofted between 54 to 58 degrees - Lob Wedge (LW)
Highest lofted wedge used for steep angled shots, lofted between 59 to 65 degrees
Typically, golf sets only have a pitching wedge while some may have a sand wedge as well. Sand, gap and lob wedges are purchased by golfers separately or as a set of wedges.
It is common for golfers to have four degrees of separation between wedges. So if your pitching wedge has a 48 degree loft then you should have a 52 degree gap wedge, a 56 degree sand wedge and a 60 degree lob wedge.
The 4 Best Wedges in Golf
Buying a golf wedge can seem like daunting task, this is why we have selected the best golf wedges for you that are available in the market today.
Let’s explore and find one for you.
1. Callaway Golf Mack Daddy 5 JAWS Wedges
The Mack Daddy 5 JAWS Wedge from Callaway comes in shaft options that include, Temper Tour issue 115 (steel) and project x Catalyst 80 (graphite). The stock grip is lambkin’s UTX in black/blue.
The head is fashioned for a beautiful look and extraordinary feel using 8620 mild carbon steel. Available in loft variations between 46 and 64 degrees, the Mack Daddy comes in a wide variety of wedges for different shots.
The JAWS grooves come with Callaway’s Groove-In-Groove Technology that they claim is the most aggressive groove in golf, offering more spin for defined control.
Available in S, C, W and X Grind options with variations of bounce between 8 to 12 degrees, the new tour-tested W and C grinds are both updated to make it easy to play a wider variety of greenside shots.
This is premium wedge that comes with a premium price, although its quality and performance more than make up for it.
2. Indi Golf Wedges – Sting Ray
The StingRay wedge from Indi Golf offers unmatched forgiveness and control to lower your score. It is available from 50 to 62 degrees of loft options that have variations of bounce degrees between 8 to 14.
It has a ScoopBack Technology that allows off-center hits to go straighter, feel better and spin more. The wider sole design with toe, heel, and back edge relief is ideal for softer conditions and players that take big divots.
The Traction Grooves run along the entire length of the face and allow you to enjoy unmatched spin no matter where the ball is struck. This gives absolute forgiveness and that is why it does not conform to the rules of golf and may not be allowed for tournaments, but it feels great to play with anyway.
The StingRay is a fun wedge that makes you feel like a pro, but considering that it is not for tournaments, you should only play it for your own pleasure.
3. C3i Wedges
The shaft of the Autopilot C3i Wedge is made from stainless steel and is available in three loft variants of 55, 59 and 65 degrees. It is extra-wide and its auto-glide sole cuts through the sand without skipping or digging.
It has an extra curve and beveled leading edge that reduce interaction with the ground for consistently clean contact. The hosel and heel are shaped to eliminate catching and snagging in rough.
The 65 degrees of loft, pop the ball high with no effort. Simply clip it cleanly off of tight lies, clear hazards and hit impressive, soaring flop shots.
The C3i golf wedge is specially-engineered and its design lets you set up and aim directly at your target. Just set up square and swing to get the golf club close to the pin from a variety of lies. Ease of swing promotes greater confidence when standing over the ball.
The C3i sand wedge and lob wedge are legal for tournament play and come with a one year warranty from the manufacturer.
4. Callaway Golf PM Grind Wedge
The PM Grind 19 is another product from Callaway that is a truly astonishing wedge design from Phil Mickelson and Callaway Chief Designer Roger Cleveland. It has a premium KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 steel wedge shaft, Lambkin UTX Grip and comes with your choice of Platinum Chrome or Tour Gray finish.
Available from loft variations of 54 degree with 14 degree bounce, all the way to 64 degrees with 10 degree bounce, its Offset Groove-in-Groove Technology positions the micro grooves on a 200 degree angle for added spin on chips, pitches and lobs.
The increased offset and higher toe are designed to help players control trajectory on full and partial shots. The C-Grind Sole provides generous relief in the heel and toe to promote crisp and clean contact from a variety of greenside lies.
Our Final Thoughts
If you are a beginner then you should not concern yourself too much with wedges and just use the pitching wedge available in your golf sets. Better, experienced players however, require gap and lob wedges in their golf bags, and almost all players require a sand wedge.
The wedges mentioned here are all of great quality and will certainly improve your game. If you are still unsure, here are a few key things to look for when shopping for golf wedges:
- Loft
How angled is the wedge - Gapping of lofts
How does the loft fit in with your other wedges - Bounce
Higher for less dig and lower for more dig capability - Grooves
To produce spin, trajectory and ball stopping power - Finish on grooves
Vintage finish or laser-etching
If you watch the pros on the driving range, you will notice a lot more wedges than drivers, that is because using wedges to improve your short game is the first step to a lower score.
We hope our selection of the best golf wedges was helpful.
