Pitching wedges usually come included in complete golf and iron sets. However, with time, many golfers want to move on to more advanced pitching wedges and consider buying one separately. In this article, we have listed and dissected the best pitching wedges available in order to make the buying process easier for you.
In a Hurry? Here are Our Top Choices
The 3 Best Pitching Wedges
With our list of picks, detailed descriptions, and buyer’s guide, we believe you will be equipped with the knowledge you need to purchase your pitching wedge. Keep reading on to find out more!
1. Callaway Jaws MD5 Wedge
Industry giant Callaway’s Jaws MD5 wedge has special Groove-in-Groove technology which works with a sharp edge radius to maximize spin and control. The Jaws MD5 wedge is also available in a variety of combinations with 5 different grind options. It is available for women in specific women’s models as well.
Additionally, constructed from 8620 mild carbon steel, it provides great feel. The club head is optimized, and the pitching wedge features a compact design that easily integrates into iron sets. Comfort is also taken into account with a Lamkin Comfort grip provided.
Pros
- Options for hand orientation and loft
- Both steel and graphite shafts available
- Unisex
- Platinum chrome and tour grey finishes available
- Increased spin and control
- Great feel and comfortable grip
Cons
- Premium price
2. Square Strike Wedge
This versatile wedge is extremely forgiving and consistent and is suitable for golfers of all levels. Its anti-chunk sole is wide and curved, allowing it to glide smoothly over the turf and preventing any digging. The grooves on the sole are shallow and reduce friction in matter and sticky grass. This sole also eliminates fat shots and results in crisp contact.
The wedge is designed for forgiveness and uses the center of gravity and moment of inertia to provide this. Since the club head is toe weighted, its center of gravity lies in the middle of the club face. This, combined with the high moment of inertia, results in extreme forgiveness when it comes to mishits and allows golfers to hit straight and accurate shots.
Additionally, the toe-weighted club head stays square to the target line, so that golfers do not need to worry about timing or hinging their wrists in order to hit a good shot. This makes it a great choice for beginners and high handicappers, and one of the best pitching wedges on the market.
Pros
- Options for hand orientation, loft, and color
- Extremely forgiving
- Eliminates digging
- Club head stays square to the target line
- Eliminates the need to hinge wrists
- Great for beginners
- Excellent value for money
Cons
None
3. Mazel Golf Pitching Wedge
This wedge aims to improve your short game by providing forgiveness, an easier swing, consistency, and accuracy. With the length of a putter and anti-rotational weighting, this wedge will increase control, improve performance, and make it easy to boot!
The sole is designed to be extra wide to increase forgiveness – even mishits can be salvaged. Designed with a beveled leading edge, this versatile wedge also eliminates digging – something imperative when it comes to a pitching wedge. With easier shots that won’t get caught in the turf, golfers can rest assured that every swing will count.
Other design details include a CNC milled face and a rubber grip. The milled face provides much-needed texture, which is essential for consistent strokes. Additionally, it improves accuracy. The rubber grip ensures comfort, makes the club easier to hold, and results in a more enjoyable golfing experience. It also improves feel by absorbing vibration upon impact, resulting in feedback without the inconvenience of noise.
Pros
- Options for hand orientation, color, and loft
- Comfortable rubber grip
- Shock absorbing for better feel
- Milled, textured face for friction
- Increased accuracy, consistency, and control
- Extreme forgiveness and ease of use
- Ideal for beginners and high handicappers
- Affordable
Cons
None
Factors to Consider When Buying a Pitching Wedge Separate from Your Iron Set
Before investing in a pitching wedge, make sure you consider the factors we’ve outlined below. This will help you choose the right wedge for your needs.
Loft
Pitching wedges usually have a loft between 44 and 48 degrees. Higher loft corresponds to more backspin, which results in higher trajectory. However, this comes at the expense of distance so golfers should ensure that the loft isn’t too high or too low.
Grooves
Grooves create friction, which assists with spin and trajectory. The two types of grooves include vintage finish and laser-etching. Vintage finish grooves help with feel as they rust and adjust to the golfer’s style of striking. Laser-etched grooves, on the other hand, create more friction and spin, but do not adjust to the player’s striking style over time.
Bounce
Bounce keeps the wedge from digging into the turf and is extremely important when it comes to wedges. Buyers will need to examine their swing in order to select bounce. Those who dig will require more bounce while those who sweep will require less bounce. On average, a pitching wedge has a bounce angle of 2-5 degrees.
Finish
These include dark finish, raw finish (bronze, rose gold), chrome finish, and nickel finish. Darker finishes like black and grey look sleek and reduce glare but result in chipping over time. Raw finishes rust over time, which can be beneficial since the friction results in more spin. Chrome and nickel finishes offer a classic look and are more durable than raw and dark finishes.
Our Final Thoughts
We hope this list of the best pitching wedges helped you discover your next purchase. Whether you’re a novice or a pro, at least one of these picks will be suitable for you. If you found this article useful, make sure to check out our articles on the best sand wedges and the best golf wedges for even more recommendations!
