Quotes

Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.Henry David Thoreau

5 Best Golf Wedges For Mid-Handicappers

Best Golf Wedges For Mid-Handicappers

Most recommended
Wilson HarmonizedWilson Harmonized Golf Wedge
  • Right Hand
  • Shaft Material: Steel
  • Flex: Wedge

A good choice too
Pinemeadow WedgePinemeadow Wedge
  • Right Hand
  • High Quality Steel
  • 125 gram shaft

A good choice too
LAZRUS GOLF Premium LAZRUS Premium Forged Golf Wedge Set for Men
  • Right Hand
  • 3 Wedges (52,56,60)
  • Forged Head

Wilson Staff MenWilson Staff Mens Harmonized Black Chrome Golf Wedge
  • Right Hand
  • Black Chrome Golf
  • Good spin

Cleveland Golf 588 RTXCleveland Golf Mens 588 RTX 2.0 Muscle Back Standard Bounce Satin Wedge
  • Right Hand
  • Shaft Material: Steel
  • Flex: Wedge


Choose the Best Golf Wedge For Mid-Handicappers

Customer’s Choice: the Best Rated Golf Wedges For Mid-Handicappers

126 users answered this survey. Please help us improve this review!

14.29% of users selected Wilson Harmonized, 9.52% selected Pinemeadow Wedge, 67.46% selected LAZRUS GOLF Premium, 3.17% selected Wilson Staff Men's and 5.56% selected Cleveland Golf 588 RTX. Every month we analyze your answers and change our rating.

Every player needs a reliable wedge in their golf bag. This club is one of the most valuable tools you use on the green. A well-chosen wedge will ease you out of sand traps, high grass patches, and other challenging areas on the course. We’ve rounded up five of our favorite wedges. Let us know what you think in the comment section below.

Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge – Editor’s Choice

Wilson Harmonized Golf WedgeTopping off our list is the incredible Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge. This classic club is available in two different finishes, including high-polish chrome and anti-glare black chrome. Its solid steel shaft enhances its strength and reliability.

Its modified sole, the proprietary Sole Grind, enables players to send balls high regardless of their location. The club’s loft options range from 50 to 64 degrees. This club has a classic shape with a wide blade and generous sweet spot. This five-star product is available for a low price. If you’re a mid-handicapper looking for a crutch wedge, be sure to check out the Wilson Harmonized.

Pros
  • Sole Grind enables players to open their clubface for greater accuracy
  • Steel shaft is super reliable
  • 52-degree loft for high shots
  • Will help you chip away at ball that land outside your comfort zone
Cons
  • Some bent clubs reported

Pinemeadow Wedge – Best Runner-Up

Pinemeadow WedgeThe Pinemeadow wedge boasts a premium steel shaft and a bold clubhead. This product weighs 125 grams, making it the perfect size for the average mid-handicapper. The wedge is available in left-hand, right-hand, men’s, and women’s orientations.

Pinemeadow claims it has the most prominent wedge face on the market. The 52-degree loft helps players to lob their balls out of precarious touchdowns. However, available lofts range from 52 to 68 degrees. The club’s dark gray finish complements the otherwise bold logo. The club is built from durable Apollo steel. It has a low to mid kick point. Priced well below many wedges, the Pinemeadow is a performance-enhancing tool that most budget-savvy mid-handicappers willingly stand behind.

Pros
  • Lofts range from 52 to 68 degrees
  • Made from durable Apollo steel
  • Very large clubface
  • Dark gray finish with colorful logo
Cons
  • Not as much spin as more performance-minded

Lazrus Premium Forged Golf Wedge Set – Best Wedge Set

LAZRUS Premium Forged Golf Wedge Set for MenLazrus’ premium kit includes 52-, 56-, and 60-degree wedges for right- and left-hand golfers. The clubs have a sleek polished chrome finish. Milled faces ensure that you get the most spin and control out of your hits. The clubs are 35 1/4 inches long.

Their bounces are eight, 10, and 12 degrees. This club set will help you cover all your bases.

Pros
  • Includes three wedges with 52-, 56-, and 60-degree lofts
  • Excellent value for your money
  • Precision-milled faces for better spin and control
  • Made from premium forged steel
  • Excellent aesthetics
Cons
  • The grips are on the small side

Wilson Staff Men’s Harmonized Black Chrome Golf Wedge – Best Sand Wedge

Wilson Staff Mens Harmonized Black Chrome Golf WedgeWe love using the Wilson Staff Men’s Harmonized Black Chrome Golf Wedge when we are trying to work out way out of a sand trap. The durable anti-glare finish holds up well against repeated exposure to abrasive matter. The club is available with 52-, 56-, and 60-degree lofts.

Its open clubface gives players plenty of surface space. The Harmonized will improve your short game without eating away at your golf funds. Wilson released this club back in 2013, but it’s still a hit in 2020. We use ours on sand and turf. You’ll spin that ball right into the tee.

Pros
  • Modified sole grind for open face
  • Durable black finish lasts through multiple encounters with sandpits
  • Offers excellent spin
  • Will help you improve your short game
Cons
  • Lack of accuracy
  • Right-hand only

Cleveland Golf’s impressive Muscle Back Wedge – Best Upgrade Option

Cleveland Golf Mens 588 RTX 2.0 Muscle Back Standard Bounce Satin WedgeRounding off our list is Cleveland Golf’s impressive Muscle Back wedge. This is a right-hand club made of premium steel. It has a loft of 54 degrees. The clubface features deep precision-milled Tour Tip grooves as well as a micro-milled Rotex face pattern.

According to Cleveland Golf, they’ve given you as much texture as possible. Don’t worry; it meets all of the USGA’s playing requirements. You’ll immediately notice how different your balls spin. The 90-gram True Temper Dynamic Gold Shaft wives you enough flex to get your ball out of a sand trap.

Pros
  • Excellent control and spin
  • Really dynamic face pattern with unmatched roughness
  • Lightweight yet durable shaft
  • Crisp black finish helps prevent glare
Cons
  • Graphite instead of steel means less durability but a lower price

Buying Guide

We know how frustrating it can be to climb the golf club learning curve. However, you do need at least 14 clubs to play to your full potential and make the most of your time on the green. If you’re willing to do a little homework, then you’re sure to see an improvement in your game stats. Every player needs a quality set of wedges. These clubs will bulk up your short game. Before you leave us, be sure to check out our buying guide. We highlighted some of the most essential buying considerations so you can spend less time surfing the internet and more time harassing your caddy.

Shaft

Most wedge shafts are forged from steel, but we have seen a few graphite options on the market. Players often underestimate the importance of shaft material and weight when it comes to choosing a wedge. Still, we recommend finding a club with a durable shaft and a bulky, slip-resistant grip.

Clubhead

There are a few key clubhead elements to watch for when purchasing a new golf wedge. For one, be sure to check the club’s bounce angle. Like the loft, bounce angles are measured in degrees. A smaller angle means less bounce. Clubs with lower bounce angles are ideal for harder surfaces. You should also pay close attention to a club’s sole grind. The sole grind is the bottom of the club. A sole grind’s texture may be designed to respond to a specific type of turf. Lastly, check out the design of the clubface. Precision milling improves the grip of the clubface. A more textured surface is likely to improve your hitting precision.

Loft

Most golfers have a set of wedges at their disposal. Ideally, you should have designated sand, lob, and gap wedges. Your gap wedge is going to have the smallest loft angle. It is usually no higher than 50 degrees. Your sand wedge should have a loft no bigger than 56 degrees. Finally, your lob wedge should boast the largest angle, usually no more than 60 degrees. Big angles offer more distinguished ball trajectories. The loft also has a huge impact on your yardage. So, don’t forget to pay close attention to metrics when your building your short game strategy.

What should mid-handicappers be looking for?

As a mid-handicapper, a single wedge upgrade could improve your short game. Look for a club with excellent control. You should have a set of at least three different clubs. A wider variety of clubs will help you hone in on your yard goals. Since you’re not a professional, you’ll also want a little forgiveness on your side. An open face with plenty of grip will help you make the most out of off-center hits. Remember, there are clubs for every type of golfer and every green condition.

Golf Wedges for Mid-Handicappers FAQ: 

What are the easiest wedges to hit?

The vast majority of wedges are not forgiving. They are difficult clubs to hit. Hitting with wedges requires a lot of practice and patience. However, if you seek the improved distance you won’t be able to ignore wedges. 

There is no such thing as the easiest wedge to hit. However, you may practice more efficiently and easily with wedges. Just follow these recommendations: 

  • Practice the range and wedge shots regularly. Every non-wedge shot should be followed by the one-wedge shot. Do not be afraid of wedges;
  • Find the golf course suitable for the wedge practicing. The course should have a huge pitching/chipping area stretching at about 100 yards. In such a way, you will be able to practice your wedge shots without disturbing other players;

Also, you may try these golf wedges. They are not fully forgiving but can be good for high-handicappers and beginners: 

  • Cleveland RTX-3 VLG with a cavity back is very affordable – under $100. It offers the balancing technology and Rotex clubface for a better spin;
  • Another Cleveland’s wedge is the CBX club. It is both forgiving and great for the distance. It has a great stock shaft;

A few other remarkable wedges are reviewed below. 

Who makes the best wedges in golf?

Almost all major brands that specialize in making professional golf gear offer the wedge lineup. It is hard to tell who makes the best wedge. Professional and semi-professional golfers usually pick these golf clubs and that is why all of them are of decent quality. 

For instance, you may check the following brands and some great wedges that they make: 

  • Callaway Jaws MD5;
  • Cleveland CBX 2;
  • Ben Hogan Equalizer;
  • Titleist Vokey Design SM8;
  • TaylorMade Milled Grind 2;
  • Ping Glide 3.0;
  • Honma T//World TW4;
  • Mizuno T20;

What wedges to use to get out of bunkers?

If you need to hit the ball out of the sand area (a.k.a. bunkers), you probably won’t be able to do this without a special sand wedge. 

Major reasons to use sand wedges:

  • They are high-lofted to get the ball up in the air. If you seek high and short shots, definitely give a try to sand wedges;
  • Also, sand wedges can help to practice skiddy and spinny shots outside the sandy bunkers;
  • They are versatile and can be used on the thick grass or muddy grounds;

Things to look for in sand wedges: 

  • A bounce in such wedges is located at the sole or bottom. The bounce looks like the varying curves with a large space between the leading edge of the wedge. The bounce is measured in degrees, from 2 to 18. The best sand wedges have a high bounce. But for various shots, you should pick the sand wedges with the different bounce angles. For example, to get out of the shallow sands you may use the wedges with the degrees from 7 to 11. To get out of the powdery sands with traps, consider checking the wedges with a bounce angle of 16-20 degrees;
  • A loft angle is also important. It is measured in degrees. To get out of the bunkers most golfers pick the lob wedge with the loft angle degree between 58 and 60. The higher the loft, the higher the ball will fly above the sand;
  • The grooves are an inevitable part of all wedges. Pronounced groves on the clubface are especially important for sand wedges. They help the ball to spin after being hit out of the sand;

You may check the following 3 sand wedges that are usually recommended for high-handicappers by professional golfers: Cleveland CBX, Callaway Mack Daddy, Cobra King. 

What wedges should a high-handicapper have?

If you need to improve your short and high shots, consider investing in a few wedges for high-handicap players. High-handicappers should pick the most forgiving wedges. It is easier than you think to find a suitable wedge for your first range shots. Consider checking the wedge’s design and shape before buying. 

The manufacturers intentionally make some wedges more forgiving than the other wedges. Your task is to test these wedges and pick the one that fits your requirements and goals. 

  • Cleveland CBX Wedge is the ultimate choice, according to most experts;
  • Wilson Harmonized is an affordable wedge of top-notch quality;
  • Callaway Mack Daddy is a pricey but very adjustable wedge;
  • Cleveland RTX 3 can help to upgrade from high to mid-handicappers;

Is it possible to use a 52-degree wedge in the sand?

The sand wedges (SW) usually have a loft angle between 54-58 degrees. Most players use this golf club when they need to perform in the bunkers. Mid-handicappers can hit up to 70 yards with a full SW, while professional golfers can increase this distance up to 100 yards with the same SW. 

52-degree wedges are not good for getting out of bunkers because they hit the ball high in the air for a short distance. But if you desperately need a replacement of a full SW with a standard 52-degree wedge, the replaced golf club can deliver low and long strikes. 

You will be able to achieve the distance up to 75-100 yards. So, yes, if you play a 52-degree wedge instead of a full SW at the flat sandy ground, it can be a good replacement. Otherwise, use the sand wedges with the loft angle from 54 to 58. 

What wedges do professionals carry?

The number of wedges is different for the PGA Tour players. However, the vast majority of professional golfers carry 4 wedges in their bags. Their average wedge setup includes a gap wedge, sand wedge, pitching wedge and lob wedge. As for the loft angle, it is a matter of personal preferences. For example, you may pick for your wedge setup such wedge clubs – 49, 53 and 57-degree wedges. The lob wedge should have the biggest loft angle – up to 60. 

Why do professional golfers carry only 4 wedges? Because they usually don’t have to worry about the distance during the PGA Tour. That is why your number of wedges can be different depending on the conditions and layout of the course where you prefer to play.

Interesting Video: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 wedge: On course review

Final Thoughts

I don’t know about you, but I’ve recently got below the mark of 20 handicaps and decided to improve my short game. For this purpose, I’ve started to look for a good golf wedge for mid-handicappers. In this case, golf wedges will serve as awesome rescue clubs. I’ve picked a few popular U.S. manufacturers and tested the best models of wedges they can offer to mid-handicappers like me. I’ve figured out there are 4 major types of such wedges.

Major types of golf wedges for middle handicappers:

  1. For 100 yards from the green – choose a pitching wedge type to let the ball land and roll in a smooth way;
  2. For the distance from 70 to 100 yards – pick a gap wedge – your ball’s speed will be decreased and you won’t hit it too hard. It also prevents from swinging the turf;
  3. For 70-80 yards – pick a sand wedge, especially if you ought to hit the ball on a bunker instead of the lawn;
  4. Being 50-70 yards away from the lawn – pick a lob golf wedge to perform a flight arc with the ball;

Due to such recommendations that were given by my friend, a professional golfer, and my tests I’ve managed to create a review of the best golf wedges for mid-handicappers.

Personal top 5 golf wedges for middle handicappers:

  1. Wilson is good for right-handed golfers. Its shaft made of steel;
  2. Pinemeadow Golf is another wedge for right-handed mid-handicappers, its shaft is only 125 grams;
  3. LAZRUS offers the set of 3 wedges with forged heads, for right-handed golfers;
  4. Wilson also offers a black chrome wedge;
  5. Cleveland Golf is also made of steel wedge, for right-handed golfers;

What golf clubs and wedges, in particular, you pick to play as a mid-handicapper? Your opinion is extremely important to me. I’m ready to update my review according to your advice. So, please share and subscribe.

We hope you make the most of your takeaway from our reviews of the top golf wedges for mid-handicappers. Our top pick is the incredible Men’s Harmonized Black Chrome Golf Wedge. This budget-friendly club has a precision-milled face and a durable steel shaft. We’re confident that it would pull us out of high grass and sand. Do you have a favorite golf wedge? Drop a comment below. Let us know how it improves your short game.