The wedge is a golf club that can help any high handicapper improve to a mid handicap. You could easily eliminate several shots from your next round if you hit a few more shots close to the pin.
Many higher handicappers and beginners are preoccupied with their drivers. They want to ensure they can hit a long, straight ball off the tee. It is very understandable and important to all golfers. However, for beginners and higher handicappers, the short game is the most important part of the game.
The sooner you find a wedge that gives you confidence and control around a golf green, the better your chances of reducing your scores. Having a great wedge can make golf much less frustrating for those not interested in lowering their scores. So, here at Top Golf Advisor, we’re going to discuss everything related to wedges to make the decision a lot easier.
What Is A Wedge?
When golfers are within 125 yards of the green, they will most likely reach for a wedge. Golfers can choose from various wedges, each with a unique advantage depending on the shot required.
Understanding the various characteristics of each wedge will assist golfers in hitting the ball closer to the pin and lowering their scores.
What Are The Various Types Of Wedges?
Generally, there are four types of wedge styles in golf. Each has a specific loft that makes them ideal for nailing shots. Let’s discuss the types of wedges every golfer should know.
- Pitching Wedge
It is the wedge with the least loft of the bunch. You can utilize it for long chip shots and full swings toward the green. Players can typically cover 110 to 140 yards with a complete swing.
- Gap Wedge
Often referred to as the approach wedge— Gap is an essential club to own. It does what its name implies—it fills the loft gap between a player’s pitching wedge and sand wedge.
Therefore, it enables you to hit the ball fully instead of aggressively hacking with a sand wedge or softening your approach with a pitching wedge. Gap wedge shots from the average player should travel between 90 and 110 yards.
- Sand Wedge
The preferred club for escaping sand traps and tough terrain, the sand wedge can pop the ball up and reduce spin because of its high loft angle. Using a sand wedge 80 to 110 yards from the pin is safe for most players.
- The Lob Wedge
Lastly, the loftiest wedge you have in your luggage. It is made to launch the ball rapidly and with minimal movement. A lob wedge is a useful tool for strokes under 80 yards, flop shots, and avoiding obstructions.
Each wedge will have a varying length to its shot because of the variations in the loft. The idea of merely carrying a pitching wedge and a sand wedge is no longer relevant due to advancements in club design. There is too much space between your stock photos.
Maintaining a four- or five-degree distance between each wedge is advised. By adding a gap wedge between your pitching and sand wedge, you can better judge which club to hit. Doing this may prevent having too little or too much club.
What Is A High Handicap In Golf?
A high handicap golfer, to put it simply, plays off of a 19 or higher. 25% of male golfers and 81% of female golfers fall into the category of high handicappers, making it the range of handicaps with the widest coverage.
We can divide the golfers in this category by lower-high, mid-high, and higher-high handicaps because there are so many.
Different Types of High Handicap Categories
- Lower High Handicap
A lower high handicap is calculated using a 19–29 handicap. These golfers typically shoot in the low 90s to low 100s. Golfers with a handicap of 19 to 23 have probably played a few times in the mid-80s. It can be challenging to succeed continuously, though.
- Mid High Handicap
These are greater handicaps than the 30 to 40 playoff handicaps. If you have a mid handicap, you should aim for the early 100s or 110s on average.
If your handicap is in the low to mid-30 area, your objective is to start consistently breaking 90 to bring it down into the 20s. If your handicap is in the upper 30s or low 40s, aim to break 110 consistently.
- Higher High Handicap
The handicap range for golfers in this division is between 41 and 54. As a result, they are firing 113-caliber rounds into the high 120s. Reducing the number of triple bogeys on your scorecard is your challenge.
Your goal should be to begin consistently breaking 110 if you are playing off a low 40 handicap. If your handicap is more than 45, you should limit your triple bogeys and aim to average less than 120 strokes each round.
What Wedges Should a High Handicapper Carry?
Now that we’ve covered handicaps and their types, It’s time to move on to the types of wedges a handicap golfer should have.
To make the decision easier, here is a list of potential wedges that can make the final cut.
- Overall, Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge is the best.
- Most Forgiving: CB Wedge Callaway Mack Daddy
- Callaway Golf’s Mack Daddy 5 JAWS Wedge is the best for feel.
- Wilson Staff Men’s Harmonized Wedge, Best Value
- Cleveland Golf CBX Wedge is excellent, too.
1. Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge
One of the ideal wedges for a beginner or high-handicap golfer, the most notable quality of this wedge is the cavity design at the back that provides forgiveness. Due to this hollow cavity, golfers have the liberty to obtain a round of spin after the perfect hit.
The hollow cavity CBX 2 will perform similarly to any other cavity back wedge in your golf bag. With the help of the feel-balancing technology, the impact is felt more directly and with less vibration. With the CBX 2, this won’t be an issue.
Many players worry about moving to a cavity-back style wedge when retaining the feel.
With all the forgiveness it grants, it has a remarkably pure feeling. Your shots are evaluated via feedback, yet there is little vibration, so it seems natural.
With this wedge, outstanding spin performance is to be expected. To help you get spin, Cleveland’s fourth-generation Rotex Face blends aggressive face milling and sharp grooves.
The broad sole of the CBX2 reduces turf resistance. The sole glides over the grass, which helps prevent fat shots.
2. Callaway Golf’s Mack Daddy 5 JAWS Wedge
Callaway’s most complete wedge lineup and a premium tour wedge. For golfers seeking improved performance.
The premier wedge option from Callaway is the Mack Daddy Jaws 5 wedge. Some might be surprised that this wedge is on a list for novices and high handicappers. It is important to consider this even though it is not the most forgiving option on the market.
When you hit this wedge pure with pitch and chip shots, you get amazing spin. V-shaped grooves catch the ball when it hits, while smaller groves positioned in between the larger ones keep it there for longer. This provides you outstanding spin, especially on full strokes and longer pitch shots.
Depending on the loft, the Callaway Jaws MD5 wedge offers three grind options and three bounce options. High handicappers will benefit the most from the 12-degree bounce W-grind.
3. CB Wedge Callaway Mack Daddy
For a high handicapper or novice, finding a forgiving wedge is crucial. When wedges are forgiving, you can slightly err on the side of the clubface and yet achieve tremendous results.
The Mack Daddy CB Wedge fits well in a cavity back set of irons. You’ll have an easier time switching from wedges to irons and improve your consistency. Four distinct sole grinds and several lofts are available for the Mack Daddy CB Wedge. A few of them will fit neatly in your bag.
4. Wilson Staff Men’s Harmonized Wedge (Best Value)
The majority of golfers carry three to four wedges in their bags. You can pay hundreds of dollars on golf wedges by getting everything new. The price is reasonable with a golf wedge like the Wilson Staff Men’s Harmonized Black Chrome. The performance you can still receive from these wedges is among the greatest on the market.
The Wilson Staff Men’s Harmonized has an anti-glare black coating, which is what we adore most about it. You won’t have trouble focusing when staring down at the wedge because the contrast between it and the grass is so strong. It makes it easier for golfers to see how their club head is positioned.
5. Cleveland Golf CBX Wedge
A bunker shot is one of any beginner’s or high handicapper’s least preferred shots. It may seem terrifying to hit out of the sand, but it doesn’t have to be that horrible. The bunker shot could be pretty straightforward if you have the right tools.
Although it does take some time and practice to get acclimated to an open-face wedge, many people with high handicaps and novices can do it. The height required to carry the ball out of a bunker is one issue many high handicappers and novices encounter. With this wedge in place, it will be simple to complete.
6 Ping Glide 4.0
The Ping Glide 4.0 comes in second place on our list of the top wedges for players with high handicaps. Even when they don’t make a clean connection, this wedge enables players to provide spin to the ball.
The new Emery face blast causes the clubface to have greater friction. You get greater spin as a result because it holds onto your ball and keeps it on the surface for longer.
S, W, and E are the three grind possibilities for this wedge. From these options, pick the sole that best fits your swing and angle of attack.
Most golfers will prefer the S (standard) grind since it is the most adaptable of the three. For players with a medium attack angle, it is the ideal option.
High handicappers can make the best contact using the W (wide) grind because it is the best forgiving through the turf. The wide sole of this alternative glides across the grass without becoming stuck, so it will work for you if you frequently hit fat shots with your wedges.
For bunker shots, the E (Eye2) grind is the ideal choice. The E-grind was inspired by the original Ping Eye2 wedge.
The standard edition of this wedge notably features a fashionable look. But for high handicappers, the W-grind also looks good behind the ball and gives them confidence.
7 Cobra King Snake Bite Wedge
Around the greens, the King Cobra Snakebit wedge provides excellent spin. High handicap players who have trouble getting the ball to halt quickly may benefit from it.
This incredible spin is provided by the new SNAKEBITE groove design. You get this extra spin, says Cobra, because the notches are 11% deeper and 40% sharper. And given that the ball “bite” at different distances, it’s difficult to contest that.
The higher lofts of this wedge are extremely forgiving (54-60). You are able to play delicate shots without being concerned that your performance would suffer if you miss the sweet spot.
With this wedge, you have the choice between the Versatile, Classic, and Widelow grinds. Each has its advantages, although players with larger handicaps might prefer to consider the Classic choice. Because of its low bounce, the Widelow grind is more challenging for high handicap players to play.
8 Tour Edge Hot Launch E522
One of the best options when it comes to defining budget for high handicappers, the Tour Edge Hot Launch E522 wedge is the greatest value option. You get access to cutting-edge game-improving technology that protects you from any lies.
More weight is placed below and beneath the ball with the Houdini sole. As a result, using this wedge makes it simpler for you to launch the ball into the air.
This wedge has a very wide sole, which lessens turf interaction. So, it prevents fat shots, which are a regular miss for high handicappers, from being caused by the leading edge digging into the ground.
You have excellent forgiveness with this wedge. Your center of gravity is considerably lowered by the extremely deep undercut hollow, allowing you forgiveness all over your face. Additionally, it aids in the launch of the ball from any lay, including sand and rough.
The Hot Launch E522 features a broad face shape with grooves all over it. So, even with off-center strikes, you receive spin.
9 Mizuno ES21
High handicappers may hit a very steady shot with the Mizuno ES21 wedge. This wedge is simpler to control because of its stability.
For some wedge shots, many high handicappers won’t feel comfortable opening the clubface. But with these shots, the wedge maintains its stability upon impact, reducing the margin for mistake.
On this wedge, the sweet spot is likewise more central than on others. Therefore, those with larger handicaps are more likely to find it and profit from the pardon.
With this wedge, high handicappers may anticipate tremendous spin in every circumstance. More spin is encouraged by a higher and deeper center of gravity, while Hydroflow Micro Grooves disperse moisture to keep spin even in wet circumstances.
10 Callaway Sure Out 2
You can thwart fat strokes with the Callaway Sure Out 2. Callaway created this wedge to prevent high handicappers from hitting the turf before the ball, which often results in fat shots.
The sole slides through any lie and has a precise bounce angle. So, before you strike the ball, the leading edge won’t become trapped. You can make better contact with the ball since the sole encounters less resistance from the ground.
Also, compared to the previous model, this wedge offers better heel comfort. This makes playing a variety of shots simpler.
The Callaway Sure Out 2 is a very forgiving wedge because of its shape. It makes it simpler to make good contact with the ball, but it also provides forgiveness when you don’t.
This wedge works well for bunker shots as well. Trying to make sure you pop the ball out the first time, the wide sole prevents it from becoming caught in the sand.
On a new grip concept, Lampkin and Callaway worked together. The optimum range control and shot selection are aided by three “step down” indications.
How to Choose the Right Wedge for High Handicappers & Beginners
Regardless of what wedge you choose, It’s essential to keep a few things in mind to ensure you don’t mess up your golf game. Therefore, we’ll discuss some key considerations that beginners and high handicappers should know.
What Wedges Should A High Handicapper Carry (Continue)
- Shaft
Regarding wedges, there are two golf shafts; steel and graphite. Steel is the most common of the two. However, most golfers opt for graphite. If you’re someone who has graphite in all your golf clubs, It’s common to attach them with your wedges as well.
- Loft
A golf wedge’s loft normally ranges from 48 degrees to 64 degrees. A golf club’s loft determines how far you can hit it and how softly it will land. Most players will want to have a few different lofts to pick from to ensure they have the versatility they need in their short game.
- Wedge Style
There are two fundamental types of wedges. One is a cavity back, and the other is a blade-style wedge. The most forgiving wedges—and the greatest option for beginners and higher handicappers—are often the cavity-back wedges.
- Bounce
Bounce is a crucial part of golf when it comes to high handicappers. A higher bounce means a higher forgiveness. Hence, when it comes to a high handicap, a bounce factor is a must.
- Forgiveness
When choosing the best wedges for high handicappers, take forgiveness into account. When you don’t strike your wedges consistently, forgiveness is crucial.
It guarantees that your performance won’t suffer from mistakes. Therefore, as a high handicapper, forgiving aids in the precision of your wedge game.
- Gapping
When purchasing wedges as a high handicapper, always take gapping into account. There should be increasing loft differences between each wedge.
Let’s take the example of purchasing a gap wedge, sand wedge, and lob wedge. To improve your accuracy on the course, you must get the gapping just right.
Since your pitching wedge has a loft of 46 degrees, we can obtain the optimum gapping from that position. A 50-degree gap wedge, a 54-degree sand wedge, and a 58-degree lob wedge provide for an excellent loft progression.
- Spin
Consider the spin it offers while choosing the finest wedge for high handicappers. Your wedge shots should come to a quick stop on the green. But many high handicappers are obsessed with adding spin to their wedge strokes. You can also check out our beginner’s guide blog to get a clear picture of golf before starting out.