Contents
- Overview Of The Best Wedges for 2023
- Types Of Top Rated Golf Wedges
- What Is The Order Of Golf Wedges?
- How Many Wedges Should I Carry In My Bag?
- Our Research Parameters
- What Are The Best Golf Wedges?
- 1. Mizuno T20 – Best Golf Wedge Overall
- 2. Cobra King Mim – Best Turf Interaction
- 3. Callaway Mack Daddy 5 JAWS – Best Looking Wedge
- 4. Cleveland Golf Rtx Zipcore – Most Accurate Wedge
- 5. Titleist Vokey Sm 7 – Best Wedge Set
- 6. Taylormade Milled Grind 2 – Best Sounding Wedge
- 7. Wilson Harmonized – Best Value For Money
- 8. Callaway Jaws Mack Daddy 5 – Best Feel
- 9. Tour Edge Super Spin – The Best Wedge For Beginners
- 10. Cleveland Golf CBX 2 – The Most Forgiving Wedge
- Key Factors To Consider When Buying A New Wedge
- FAQ
- Final Thoughts
What are the best wedges in golf? And which of the best golf wedges is right for you?
During testing, we aimed to help you identify the ideal wedges to enhance your chipping performance and secure more birdies up and downs. Since the short game is so unpredictable, we have to take them out to various lies in various conditions to see what they would be like in real life.
If you’re in a rush and want to know who makes the best wedges, check out the three best golf wedge reviews below. You’ll also learn a few key factors to consider when purchasing your chipping weapons before reviewing the 10 best golf wedges in 2023.
The aim is to help you identify the ideal wedges for your game to enhance your chipping performance and secure more up and downs.
At a glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Best Golf Wedges
Overview Of The Best Wedges for 2023
| Best Overall Wedge | Best For Accuracy | Best For Spin | |
| Mizuno T20 | Cleveland Golf CBX 2 Wedge | Titleist Vokey SM8 | |
| Pros |
|
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
|
| Turf Interaction Score | 89.7 | 90.1 | 89.9 |
| Spin Score | 94.3 | 91.4 | 93.1 |
| Feel Score | 91.1 | 88.6 | 91.8 |
| Rating | 4.5 Stars | 4 Stars | 4 Stars |
Types Of Top Rated Golf Wedges
Most iron sets would include a pitching wedge that has a loft angle of around 44-48 degrees. For the average player, a full swing would result in a distance of approximately 110-125 yards.
The sand wedge is common with a steeper loft angle, ranging from 54-58 degrees, and as the name suggests, is used to get out of greenside bunkers or deep rough.
Serious golfers with a mid to lower handicap would also consider having a gap wedge in their bag.
Instead of trying to force more distance out of the sand wedge or play a less than full swing on the pitching wedge, the gap wedge with a loft of between 50-55 degrees allows you to play distances of 80-100 yards more accurately.
For more details, check out this video explaining how to use a gap wedge effectively. If you are running AdBlocker, you will need to click through to our link to view.
Finally, there is the lob wedge which is synonymous with Phil Mickelson. With a loft angle of 58-68 degrees, this club allows you to skip over bunkers or other obstacles and land the ball softly on the green without rolling off the other side into another bunker or rough.
Read Next: The Best Wedges for Mid-Handicappers
What Is The Order Of Golf Wedges?
Golfweek’s David Green explains that the progression of wedges is as follows:
- Pitching
- Gap
- Sand
- Lob wedge
How Many Wedges Should I Carry In My Bag?
You can only carry 14 clubs in your bag. Most golfers get away easily with two or three wedges. If you find it necessary to carry four wedges, it will generally mean sacrificing a wood, hybrid, or other clubs. Consider your needs and priorities to determine the ideal club selection.
Our Research Parameters
Golfspan is independent and not pressured by manufacturers. We were not paid for the reviews in this article. These golf wedges were selected by our team, who have over 100 years of experience playing golf and thousands of hours reviewing products. We may earn affiliate commissions when you purchase products through our retail links.
Quick Overview: Our Top Picks for Best Golf Wedges
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
OUR RATING: 5.0/5 | Mizuno T20 |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
| OUR RATING: 5.0/5 | Cobra King MIM |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
| OUR RATING: 4.8/5 | Callaway Mack Daddy 5 JAWS |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
| OUR RATING: 4.5/5 | TaylorMade Milled Grind 2 |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
| OUR RATING: 4.5/5 | Wilson Harmonized |
| VIEW ON AMAZON → |
What Are The Best Golf Wedges?
Here are golf wedge reviews of the best wedges on the market today.
1. Mizuno T20 – Best Golf Wedge Overall
Pros
- The Grain Flow Forged technology adds strength
- Quad cut grooves with progressive change
- Good sound, soft, consistent but solid feel
Cons
- High handicappers, even weak mid-handicappers, might find it difficult to play
- Somewhat expensive
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Kicking off our wedge reviews of 2023 is the Mizuno T20 that tops our list. The mid-size, rounded profile wedge features a grain flow and is infused with 1025 Boron in Hiroshima, Japan. Furthermore, it contains natural grain with superior strength.
The modern trend in wedges is to raise the center of gravity as the loft increases to maintain control, feel, distance, and spin. However, the Mizuno T20 differs from its rivals and shifts the center of gravity (CG).
They achieved this by employing a progressively thicker beveled top line which causes the weight to shift up the blade on the higher lofts. This gives you more control and consistent spin if the ball is struck higher up the blade.
Besides the 56 and 60-degree wedge, they all have only one bounce option.
The sole grind becomes more aggressive, the weaker the club’s loft is. Each club is designed with a loft/ bounce combination for its specific function.
The sole grind profile, topline thickness, and the depth of the grooves change with each wedge. This design enables the clubface to remain open at impact without raising the leading edge.
The T20 has Quad cut grooves that are deeper and narrower on the lower angled wedges and wider and shallower on the higher degrees. Being forged steel, they are stronger and longer-lasting.
The long continuous grain of the forge gives a soft and consistent but solid feel. Hit the sweet spot and hear the Mizuno “click.” When you mishit, you will know it. Sadly the distinctive blue of the previous models has been discontinued, and the T20 is only available in chrome and black.
Best Configuration
Loft: 58°
Bounce: 8°
Grind: Narrow-medium width
Finish: Chrome
2. Cobra King Mim – Best Turf Interaction
Pros
- Great feel and positive feedback
- Good action from rough or bunker
- Progressive Spin Technology
- Top-class technology
- Precision CNC Milled Face And Grooves
Cons
- It fetches a premium price
- Not the perfect sole grind for all players
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Turf interaction is a vital component of success for wedge play. The ability for your clubface to make clean contact with the ball from any lie helps you optimize spin and control. That is why the Cobra King MIM wins the best turf interaction category.
The Cobra King MIM might look like any other wedge at first glance but is very different in construction and manufacture.
Most wedges are cast or forged. Cobra is the first to present a fully metal injection molded MIM head. That produces a precise shape and superior feel while improving the interaction between clubface and turf.
Injection molding has several advantages in quality control and precision. Two types of metal, in powder form, are blended with a binder to produce a forge injected into the mold.
An automated polishing process is then employed, and the weight’s and sole shape’s integrity is retained. The overall result is solid, consistent across all lofts, with a softer feel.
The Cobra King MIM uses the “versatile” tour wedge grind, which provides extra toe relief. The versatility allows you to adapt for a bump and run easily or a flop shot over a bunker.
The full face spiral milling pattern of the grooves radiates from the center. It produces consistent friction, even on open-faced shots. These grooves are deeper and narrower on the higher lofts. And shallower and wider on the lower lofts.
The circular pattern increases spin on the softer shots around the green where the ball compression is less. The pattern also helps you consistently find the sweet spot for a better ball strike.
Another innovation courtesy of Rickie Fowler is a notch in the back of the head. It helps to keep the leading edge close to the ground.
With the versatile tour grind, Cobra offers the King MIM in 6 loft variations from 50 to 60 degrees. They come with Golf Pride Tour Velvet grips.
Best Configuration
Loft: 56°
Bounce: 10°
Grind: Tour Wedge
Finish: Matte black
3. Callaway Mack Daddy 5 JAWS – Best Looking Wedge
Pros
- Cutting-edge professional tour design
- Looks good
- Delivers an exceptional amount of spin for control around the green
- Multiple loft and grind options
Cons
- Somewhat expensive
- Not ideal for mid to high handicappers due to high spin
Rating: 4 Stars
The MD5 features uniquely designed grooves that provide an attractive appearance and optimal spin. Based on these features, it earns our pick for the best-looking wedge in 2023.
On top of the usual indented square grooves, they have added micro inverted grooves, resulting in increased grip and spin levels.
At first glance, one might wonder if these grooves comply with USGA rules.
Mack Daddy 5 offers a range of nine lofts from 46 to 64 degrees, but there is no 62-degree option. The natural feel is maintained by moving the center of gravity up as the loft increases.
It is achieved by the indentations in the back of the club, along with four weight ports. This combination of unique grooves raised the center of gravity, resulting in a better feel. That should lead to more distance with your wedge.
The weaker lofts, 52 degrees and lower, have a 20D groove for better consistency on full shots. The higher lofts from 54 degrees and up have a 5D groove. That provides better control around the green and from the rough.
Mack Daddy 5 offers four grind options:
- C: This grind has an increased relief, especially towards the heel, allowing for open face shots and shallow attack angles. The bounce is 8 degrees.
- S: S grind provides a solid open-face and features a medium-wide sole and moderate heel. That keeps the leading edge low to the turf, with bounce measuring 10 degrees.
- W: The leading edge remains close to the ground without digging into the turf. The sole is wide at the toe and center but narrows towards the heel. A front-to-back camber also assists it. Bounce up to 12 degrees.
- X: The X grind is a new introduction with a low crescent sole at the front. It is suited to steep attack angles and where the course conditions are moderate or soft.
Best Configuration
Loft: 52°
Bounce: 10°
Grind: S
Finish: Mute chrome with blue accents
4. Cleveland Golf Rtx Zipcore – Most Accurate Wedge
Pros
- Consistent performance on each shot
- Sharper, deeper, and narrower grooves for extra spin
- Three versatile sole grinds for all turf conditions
Cons
- Maybe too advanced for beginners
- Grind options can be confusing
Rating: 4 Stars
Cleveland’s Zipcore Technology raises the MOI and repositions the CG for more consistency, spin and adds control to those delicate approach shots.
Ultizip Grooves are deeper, closer, sharper, and disperse more water and debris on every shot. Wedges are inclined to wear out after continuous use. But Cleveland has a special heat treatment, which prolongs the durability and lifespan.
Three versatile Sole Grinds are available to suit all turf conditions, allowing maximum performance. The True Temper Dynamic Gold Spinner Shaft is Tour-proven. The stability and control will enhance confidence around the green.
Best Configuration
Loft: 56°
Bounce: 10°
Grind: Relief Edge Grind
Finish: Polished Chrome
5. Titleist Vokey Sm 7 – Best Wedge Set
Pros
- Leading-edge technology
- Progressive grooves for improved control
- Multiple grind options
- Optimized center of gravity
- Durable wedge
Cons
- A bewildering array of loft, grind, and bounce options
- Relatively expensive
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Bob Vokey and his team at Titleist have earned a trusted reputation for crafting some of the best wedges in golf. The Titleist Vokey SM8 range offers wedges from 46 to 62-degrees, making it our pick for the best golf wedge set.
What makes the SM8 unique is the positioning of the center of gravity, which is higher and forward. It improves the trajectory and distance and gives better spin control. That is achieved by adding tungsten to the toe and lengthening the hosel.
The spin milled grooves are designed specifically for each loft and finish. The weaker lofts, 46 to 54-degrees, have deeper, narrower grooves. While the higher lofts, 56 to 62-degrees, have wider grooves. Progressive grooves allow for better control.
The Parallel Face Texture produces sharper, more consistent groove edges, enabling maximum quality tolerance. The design features translate into better spin control across all wedges to make them one of the best wedge sets in golf.
There are six grind options on offer:
- The F grind is a full sole grind best for square-faced and full swings. The F 54 and 56 are the most popular sand wedges on the PGA Tour.
- The S grind was probably named for Steve Stricker and is more versatile on the square-faced shots.
- The M grind would suit those wishing to manufacture shots around the green by opening or closing the clubface.
- The D grind has the crescent shape of the M but with a higher bounce.
- The K grind offers the highest bounce. It is ideal for getting out of sand traps and is also the most forgiving.
- The L grind is the most versatile yet unforgiving of the options. As a result, it is ideal for superior golfers.
The Vokey SM8 comes with True Temper Dynamic Gold shafts, and the grips are Golf Pride Tour Velvet White.
Best Configuration
Loft: 50°
Bounce: 8°
Grind: F Grind
Finish: Smoky
6. Taylormade Milled Grind 2 – Best Sounding Wedge
Pros
- Looks great
- Provides smooth feel and feedback
- Excellent spin action
Cons
- Is very rough on the ball
- Aimed at elite and low handicappers
- Pricey
Rating: 3.5 Stars
As seen in the bags of Tiger Woods, Jason Day, and John Rahm, TaylorMade is a name with a long pedigree and reputation for quality and performance.
The best players demand a balance of spin, feel, and acoustics, the latter being where the TaylorMade Milled Grind 2 excels. That is why we chose it as our pick for the best-sounding wedge on the market.
Manufacturers are always looking for new technologies to enhance or improve their products. TaylorMade instead opted to build on and refine an already excellent product. They have developed the original MG to the MG Hi-toe to the Milled Grind 2.
According to Brian Bazzell, the VP for product creation, the most important features of a wedge are precision, feel, and spin.
The new grooves on the face are deeper and narrower, which produce a sharper edge radius. They compliment the laser etching between the grooves, designed to initiate extra spin.
The laser etching adds roughness to the surface, enabling it to grip the ball. That prevents it from skidding up the face of the club. As a result, Bazzell suggests that you enjoy an extra 200 rpm of spin.
Another unique design feature is the thick-thin concept, which aims to enhance the feel of the wedge.
The thickness of the clubface is increased from 5.1 mm to 6.5 mm. Plus, the top line is reduced, from 5.1 mm to 4.5 mm. That improves your feel, weight distribution, and acoustics.
TaylorMade Milled Grind 2 wedges are available in lofts at 50 to 60 degrees at 2-degree intervals. They come with a standard bounce sole grind and a C grind low bounce for lofts 54 to 60.
Best Configuration
Loft: 56°
Bounce: 12°
Grind: Standard Bounce (SB)
Finish: Chrome
7. Wilson Harmonized – Best Value For Money
Pros
- Durable steel design with a polished finish
- Good backspin
- Versatile for different lies
- Outstanding value for money
Cons
- No customized options
- The blade design does not offer the forgiveness of cavity-back wedges.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
When considering the best wedges in golf for 2023, it would be unfair not to feature an option for the novice golfer or those on a tight budget. As a result, the Wilson Harmonized claims the top spot as the most affordable wedge on our list.
The Harmonizer does not offer a fancy design. But its features are geared toward high handicappers or the budget-conscious golfer.
The steel construction of the clubface and shaft delivers a durable product that retains the “classic” look and appealing blade shape.
The lofts of these wedges range from 50 to 60 degrees, with 2-degree intervals to avoid gapping issues. There is only one sole grind. But it does allow flexibility to open and close the face. And it performs well from fairway rough or bunker.
Best Configuration
Loft: 60°
Bounce: 10°
Grind: Sole Grind (only one option)
Finish: Polished Chrome
8. Callaway Jaws Mack Daddy 5 – Best Feel
Pros
- Soft feel
- Two finish options
- Five choices of grind helps them cater to every angle of attack
- Generates optimal spin off the grooves
- Optimizes control around the green
Cons
- Moderately expensive wedge
- Glare is a challenge with the platinum chrome finish
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Callaway’s Mack Daddy 5’sare among the softest feeling wedges I have hit, which is why they claim victory in this category. These clubs are the brainchild of wedge master Roger Cleveland and feature the most aggressive grooves in the game.
Cleveland and his team shaped the clubheads to create a compact clubhead that produces crisp acoustics, a soft feel, and optimal spin.
Furthermore, the latest iteration of the CB wedges features offset groove-in-groove technology, which enhances spin and traction.
Micro-grooves are implanted on the face at a 20-degree angle. It maximizes grip on the ball when opening your clubface for a flop shot. This technology adds extra 84-contact points for the ball to grip onto the face, which helps you maximize spin.
The Mack Daddy CB wedges are available in five grind options to assist players in varying conditions and attack angles.
- C-Grind: It is easier to play a selection of shots with. Plus, it suits players with shallow divots and firm course turf.
- Low Bounce W Grind: This grind is ideal for players who take small divots and work on soft to medium turf.
- S-Grind: The S-Grind is ideal for all conditions and angles of attack. You can use it to play a variety of shots.
- X-Grind: It is only found on weaker lofted wedges and is built for those with steep attack angles and soft course conditions.
- W-Grind: The W-Grind features a wider center and toe than the X-Grind. But, it is also designed for players who take large divots.
Best Configuration
Loft: 56
Bounce: 14
Grind: S Grind
Finish: Polished Chrome
9. Tour Edge Super Spin – The Best Wedge For Beginners
Pros
- Well priced for its features and performance
- Exceptional spin off the CNC milled grooves
- Good turf interaction from all lies
Cons
- Not a leading brand
Rating: 3 Stars
The Tour Edge Super Spin Wedge range is ideal for the beginner golfer who does not require all the fancy gimmicks attached to most leading brands.
These golf wedges are versatile and forgiving—despite not being one of the best wedge brands— which provides confidence around the greens. The CNC computer-milled grooves push the legal boundaries to produce excessive levels of spin.
They feature a rounded cambered sole for improved turf interaction from any lie on the fairway or rough. The added weight to the toe increases the sweet spot for more stability and feel through the shot.
If you are a beginner and feel that the Tour Edge Super Spin does not suit your needs, you can find more options in our article on the Best Wedges For High Handicappers.
Best Configuration
Loft: 52°
Bounce: 10°
Grind: Rounded Cambered
Finish: Unpolished Chrome
10. Cleveland Golf CBX 2 – The Most Forgiving Wedge
Pros
- A cavity back wedge design for added forgiveness
- Multi sole options for all turf conditions
- Enhanced feel balancing plus an insert for vibration reduction
- Perimeter weighting for a larger sweet spot
Cons
- Cavity back wedges are not for all single-figure golfers
- Varying sole grinds could be an overkill
Rating: 3 Stars
Cleveland has issued an updated version of the popular CBX wedge. The CBX 2 model will appeal to most mid and high-handicap golfers.
The Hollow-Cavity design has extra weight distributed to the perimeter of the club head and is more forgiving on mis-hits. That is why it is our top choice in this category.
The fourth generation of Rote Face Technology delivers Cleveland’s sharpest Tour zip grooves and aggressive face milling for maximum short game control and spin. Balancing technology combines with a face insert to reduce vibrations at impact and produce a smooth feel.
The latest three Dynamic Sole Grinds cater to all turf conditions and enable versatility around the greens. They feature eight lofts and bounce options matching any player’s requirements. If you play cavity back irons, these wedges are ideal to complete the set.
Best Configuration
Loft: 56°
Bounce: 12°
Grind: Relief Edge Grind
Finish: Muted Chrome
Key Factors To Consider When Buying A New Wedge
Before you buy one of these clubs from our wedge reviews of 2023, there are a few elements for you to familiarize yourself with.
Loft
The club’s loft determines the angle of the clubface to the vertical, which impacts the height of your trajectory and the distance of your shot.
Bounce and Grind
The bounce is the angle between the club’s leading edge and the ground. Instead of digging in and slowing down the stroke, it allows the club to “bounce” off the surface.
A lower angle is preferred when playing on hard surfaces. On softer sand or fluffy rough, a higher bounce angle is preferable.
To determine your style of play, check your divots. Do you tend to sweep the ball off the surface or leave a divot? If so, how deep? Manufacturers offer different grinds designed to cater to every angle of attack and course condition.
Grooves and Finishes
Furthermore, the grooves on the wedge’s face determine the grip on the ball. In turn, it affects the trajectory and the spin on landing.
Wedges contain a variety of finishes, including nickel/chrome polished to darker satin finishes and raw unplated. The satin finish chips and wears off with time, and the raw will rust, delivering increased friction and spin.
Leading-Edge
The bottom edge of the clubface is essential, especially when you have a poor lie. The average wedge is designed to enhance spin. However, the leading edge can vary from one model to the next. Ensure you find one that works well with your swing style.
Budget
Wedges can range in price, so be sure to find a quality option that fits your budget. While top-quality wedges have technology and design that will mean forking out a bit extra, many well-priced wedges will perform well without breaking the bank.
FAQ
Which Are The Best Golf Wedges?
The best golf wedges are the Mizuno T20s. Drawing on all their success and experience with irons, Mizuno is now climbing the ranks of the wedge market and joining the elite manufacturers. With incredible feel and control, these are a great way to experience the remarkable ingenuity of Mizuno’s production facility in Japan.
What Are The Most Forgiving Golf Wedges?
The most forgiving wedges are the Cleveland CBX 2. They utilize the same cavity back design seen in many iron sets. This design moves the weight to the clubface’s perimeter, making the sweet spot more accessible. You will notice a massive difference if you like to take full swings with your wedges.
What Wedge Does Tiger Woods Use?
The wedges that Tiger Woods uses are the Taylor Made Milled Grind 2s. The precision milling on the face makes them loved by Tiger and other low-handicap golfers. This adds the accurate and controllable spin that players crave. The milling on the sole is unique and helps with turf interaction as well.
What Wedge Is Best For Chipping?
The wedge that is best for chipping is the Cobra King MIM. Its precision-milled face will help get spin out of almost any lie, including deep rough. With a cutout on the trailing edge, you can hit lay the face open fearlessly and hit high lobbing chips. Close-range chipping is this wedge’s specialty.
What Is The Most Versatile Golf Wedge?
The most versatile wedge is the Titleist SM8. They have all the lofts, bounce options, and a wide range of grinds. Nowadays, we all need to optimize our grind based on our swings and the type of courses we frequent. Interaction with the turf is crucial, so if you play different golf course styles, get a versatile wedge like the Titleist SM8.
Final Thoughts
We looked at a wide range of golf wedges available in 2023 and laid out options for every type of golfer and your budget.
For beginners and novices, the Wilson Harmonized is a great value choice. For elite golfers, the TaylorMade MG 2 has amazing acoustics.
I have a soft spot for Cobra, and their King MIM offers a look into the future of wedges. However, as we have seen in our review, the Mizuno T20 rules the roost regarding the best golf wedges for 2023.
Clint is PGA-certified and was a Head Teaching Professional at one of Toronto's busiest golf academies. He was also featured on Canada's National Golf TV program, "Score Golf Canada," twice. He graduated with a degree in Golf Management from the College of the Desert in California and studied under Callaway's co-founder, Tony Manzoni.
He has a handicap index of 6.2 and spends the winters near Oaxaca, Mexico, where he plays twice a month at the Club de Golf Vista Hermosa. He's written over 100 articles at GolfSpan since 2021. You can connect with Clint at LinkedIn, FB, his website, or Clintcpga@gmail.com.
- Best score: 68
- Favorite club: Odyssey White Hot Two-Ball Center-Shafted Putter
- Favorite ball: Titleist Pro V1x
- Favorite food at the turn: Hot dog
