As a high handicapper in the world of golf, it’s entirely typical to look for particular clubs that will help you improve your game to some extent.
So, if you came here looking for the best wedges for high handicappers, keep on reading!
Table of Contents
- Best 8 wedges for high handicappers
- 1. Cleveland Golf 2018 Men’s CBX Wedge
- 2. Cleveland Golf Men’s RTX-3 VMG (Mid Bounce) Wedge, Black Satin
- 3. Mizuno T20 Golf Wedge – Blue Ion
- 4. Texan Classics Gun Metal Wedge (Set of 3 52, 56, 60)
- 5. Callaway Golf Mack Daddy 5 JAWS Wedge – S Grind
- 6. TaylorMade Golf 2018 Milled Grind Satin Nickel Chrome Finish Wedge
- 7. Titleist Vokey SM7 Tour Chrome Wedge Right 52 Degree 12 Bounce F Grind Steel
- 8. Tour Edge Golf- 1Out Plus Wedge
- What types of wedges out there and how to use them
- How To Pick The Best Wedges For High Handicappers
- Finally
Best 8 wedges for high handicappers
1. Cleveland Golf 2018 Men’s CBX Wedge
The average golfer that’s accustomed to playing with cavity back irons will most likely encounter some challenges when it’s time to transition to blade-style wedges.
Keeping the needs of the masses in mind, Cleveland decided it’s time to design a cavity back wedge, which is where the CBX series comes into play. All the wedges feature a mid-range bounce, which we already mentioned is optimal for high handicappers, as well as various loft angles, ranging from 46 to 60 degrees.
The clean, classic shape is combined with all the forgiveness a high handicapper might need, due to the cavity back design
Dual V sole provides outstanding turf interaction, as well as versatility
The center of gravity is more in line with the center of the clubface thanks to the Feel Balancing Technology
2. Cleveland Golf Men’s RTX-3 VMG (Mid Bounce) Wedge, Black Satin
Cleveland has been one of the biggest names in the world of golfing equipment for years now, so including the RTX-3 in our round-up was pretty much a no-brainer.
But what makes this particular wedge suitable for high handicappers? Let’s talk about that:
The Feel Balancing Technology is Cleveland’s pending patent which aims to remove 9 grams of weights from the hosel and on to the club’s head, moving the center of gravity as close as possible to the impact zone.
V-shaped sole grinds provide consistent speeds when you’re playing through the turf
Feel Balancing Technology redistributes nine grams of mass and moves the CG closer to the impact zone
Rotex Face is engineered with optimized spin control in mind
3. Mizuno T20 Golf Wedge – Blue Ion
As a high handicap golfer, you’ll probably be hitting from areas that are less than desirable. This includes areas with rocks and tree roots, but fortunately the Mizuno T20 is made of 1025 Boron, which is 30% stronger than other steels.
In a perfect world, every time you hit the links would be on a sunny, dry day. For just about everyone, this will not be the case—if it is, drop a comment and let us know where you play because we’d love to join you at your golf utopia. Recognizing that moisture plays a role in the depreciation of your clubs, Mizuno has equipped the T20 with grooves that repel moisture and allow you to spin and control the ball even with a morning dew on the course.
As you start to get better at the game of golf, you’ll begin to notice that the way a shot feels has a direct correlation to how good it actually is. While we’re no experts in psychology or physics for that matter, Mizuno’s Harmonic Impact Technology makes it so you can really tell when the sweet spot is struck, or when you hardly make contact. This is especially useful for practice as you can work on your rhythm and ideal contact point.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the flashy Blue Ion color coating. While it does not affect the functionality of the club, having a sleek looking wedge is always a big bonus for your aesthetic and psyche.
4. Texan Classics Gun Metal Wedge (Set of 3 52, 56, 60)
We understand that not everyone is prepared to spend well over a $100 for their wedges, which is why we’ve decided to include several budget-friendly options for high handicappers. One of them is the Texan’s set of wedges.
Of course, the price isn’t the only thing these wedges have to offer; the Forged Feel head and True Temper steel shafts will bring noticeable improvement to your shots. The former will help you by improving control, and you’ll benefit from the latter’s regular flex.
The Forged Feel heads provide the level of control every high handicapper needs
The True Temper steel shaft with a regular flex offers excellent performance, as well as durability
You’ll get three wedges for the price of one
5. Callaway Golf Mack Daddy 5 JAWS Wedge – S Grind
There’s plenty to love about Callaway wedges with their new JAWS groove design. Before you ask, no, this has nothing to do with sharks. JAWS refers to sharp groove edges that give you more control. With this added precision you’ll be skulling less balls over the green and giving yourself more chances for one-putts
While this type of club has five different “Grinds”, we recommend the S-Grind. This is because the moderate heel relief it provides which helps keep the club head low as you strike the ball. This also ensures that your contact is being made in the center, though user error can negate even the best of technology.
When you purchase a full set of these wedges (pitch to lob), you will be able to see the difference when standing over each club. Since you don’t hit the same type of shot with each of these clubs, it makes sense that their head shape varies, a critical detail which will help you get the most out of each club.
6. TaylorMade Golf 2018 Milled Grind Satin Nickel Chrome Finish Wedge
The fact that TaylorMade relied on the feedback they got from many touring professionals as a guide for the new Milled Grind line doesn’t mean it’s exclusively oriented towards the professionals.
The primary goal was to improve the shape, sole grind, as well as the edges. Each wedge is milled individually, and the line offers three different grinds, depending on sand and turf conditions you’re playing. So, as a high handicapper, you’ll find that this is a line of wedges made for players just like you.
Each wedge is individually milled to provide highest possible quality
The ZTP-17 grooves offer maximum spin
The design combines high spin rates and reduced launch angles to give high handicappers more control
The center of gravity is adjusted, saving 10 grams of weight
7. Titleist Vokey SM7 Tour Chrome Wedge Right 52 Degree 12 Bounce F Grind Steel
Not only are Titleist Vokey’s the most popular wedge on the PGA Tour, they’re also one of the most popular at every club in America. For a long time now, Vokey’s have been a beacon of durability and quality. In the SM7, the center of gravity where you will get the most solid contact has been aligned with expected impact position so that you can make the most of each swing.
The “F Grind” is purposefully designed for hitting full shots. As a high-handicapper, there is going to be plenty of shots per round in the 50-100-yard range where taking a full swing with one of your irons will be too much club, and a half swing won’t feel natural and performance will suffer. By having a club that falls into this distance with a full swing, you take away a lot of the guessing of half shots and give yourself much-needed more ways to hit the same shot.
8. Tour Edge Golf- 1Out Plus Wedge
Now, how can we be sure the 1Out wedge truly delivers what the manufacturer had promised – more power with behind every shot?
The Tour Edge Golf 1Out wedge features an ultra-heavy sole. It’s built in a way that allows you to practically launch your balls off the sand and onto the green (or fairway).
The best thing is you don’t need to put in any more muscle than with your standard swing – the counter-balance of the grip will make up for the extra weight of the club’s head.
Counter-balanced grip offers outstanding stability for a more accurate shot
Broad soles will make sand shots a lot easier
Launching comes easy since the massive sole transfers weight below the ball
These wedges are fairly affordable
What types of wedges out there and how to use them
As a high-handicapper, chances are that you could stand to gain some distance to keep you on par with other golfers. While distance isn’t everything, it certainly helps when your approach shot is with a 7-iron versus a 5-iron. Because of this, you’ll be carrying a fair number of clubs that require headcovers (hybrids and woods), and might not be able to carry four different wedges while keeping it under the 14-club maximum.
Not to rub it in, but high-handicap golfers aren’t exactly hitting 18 greens in regulation. Even if you are hitting your shorter irons into greens more frequently, you’re going to be chipping frequently enough. When the time comes, you’ll need to have a wedge for every situation and the confidence to knock the ball up close enough to save par (and lower your handicap in the process).
After reviewing your scorecard post-round, you’ll notice that significantly more shots come from on and around the greens than they do the tee and 200 yards out. With this in mind, it’s important to always have the right equipment to get the job done. We’ll give you the four types of wedges out there and allow you to pick the combination that best serves your game.
- Pitching Wedge – Comes in degrees between 45-48. This is the wedge most like your numbered irons, but can be used around the green for bump and run shots, or slightly longer pitch shots where you’re looking for a bit more control than a half shot with significant roll out.
- Gap Wedge – Comes in degrees between 50-54. A gap wedge is a bit of a tweener in the sense that you can still use it for shots in the 50 to 75-yard range, but its lofted enough to where you can start experimenting with flop shots.
- Sand Wedge – Comes in degrees between 54-58. As the name suggests, this wedge is most commonly used from bunkers. Once you get into this level of loft, it’s better to avoid taking full swings, instead utilizing a softer swing, adding a little finesse to the shot.
- Lob Wedge – Comes in degrees between 58-62. As you get more experienced, you’ll start to see the need for landing soft shots over obstacles like traps and hills on the green, and to match, you’ll need the confidence to hit flop shots into the pin. Thanks to the high loft, you’ll be able to easily spin shots with this club and get balls to stop on a dime from any lie.
How To Pick The Best Wedges For High Handicappers
Here are the key things to keep in mind as a high-handicapper looking to buy wedges:
Loft
The angle between the shaft and the face of the golf club is known as the loft. Now, when it comes to wedges, in particular, they tend to have the vastest loft angles in the entire set. The loft typically ranges from 46 to 64 degrees. The higher the loft, the better the launch – it’s as simple as that.
However, as a high handicapper, know that larger lofts might be harder for you to hit. Stick to a loft degree that falls somewhere in the fifties range.
Bounce
When you’re playing on sand or turf, the bounce is what determines the way your wedges will act – will they just go through it or will they serve more like a shovel, than a golf club.
When it comes to high-handicapped players, a mid-range bounce is considered optimal.
Here’s a tip:
When choosing the right wedge, you’ll notice a combination of two numbers on the club’s head; for example, 50/12. The first numbers refer to the loft degree, while the second translates to the degree of bounce.
Shaft
While most golfers do prefer the overall feel and accuracy of a steel shaft wedge, there are alternatives. Graphite shafts are not a standard, but they’re still available, mostly as a part of a set.
If you feel like steel wedges might be too heavy for you, a lighter, more flexible club, such as one made of graphite, may suit your swing a lot better.
Another critical thing to mention is the flex. Wedges usually feature a steel shaft, meaning a certain level of stiffness is to be expected. However, as a high handicapper, you may find that the so-called wedge flex provides the level of accuracy and reliability you’ll need.
Grind
The grind is the additional shaping on the clubhead’s sole, either around its toe or heel, which exists to improve your club-to-ball contact. So, regardless of your handicap level, the grind is a significant factor to consider.
The real question is:
How do you know which one’s the best match for you?
Good news is, regarding options available on the market, this is the best time to buy wedges for high handicappers:
- F-Grinds – Covers all swing types, as well as course conditions.
- M-Grinds – Suitable around the green.
- S-Grind – Stable enough for making full shots.
Aesthetics
It may seem trivial, but this has a significant impact on a psychological level. The looks of your wedges should inspire confidence in you, even though you might be a high-handicap golfer.
As long as you’re on the golf course, you should be able to feel like you’re in control, and believe it or not, admiring the look of your wedges will have a drastic effect on that.
Finally
By now, we hope that you have gained valuable insights on how you can choose the best wedges for high handicappers. Knowing types of wedges out there and how to use them is a good start.
As a beginner, you are good enough with an entry-level model, but still, you have to pay attention to the tips earlier mentioned. This will help you to demonstrate better in-game performance.
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