best golf wedges
Choosing the best golf wedges for your game is a very personal decision. You may need them to fly it high over a tree limb, keep it low and get it to check, or execute a flop, chip, or pitch shot. Wedges are sometimes called the “scoring clubs” so having a wedge that inspires your confidence and fits your playing style is very important.
In the following article, we guide you through finding the best golf wedges for your playing style and some of our top picks for the best wedges 2024.
A golf wedge is a golf club used for short-distance shots and when you need precise control, typically when the ball is within 100 yards of the green. Golf wedges are designed to have a high loft angle, which helps get the ball airborne quickly and allows for a steep descent. It means that the roll on landing will be minimized.
There are several types of golf wedges, each serving a different purpose:
Each wedge is designed with specific features like a wider sole and additional bounce to handle different types of shots and turf conditions. This allows golfers to have a variety of shot-making options and greater control over their game around the greens.
Cleveland CBX 4 Golf Wedge
We’ve observed Cleveland’s CBX wedge family revolutionize the market since their debut in 2017. The core idea is that golfers using cavity back irons should also use cavity back wedges, which we believe is a solid theory.
The CBX 4, new for 2024, aligns perfectly with this thinking. We don’t suddenly become tour pros when pulling a wedge from our bag. For those seeking maximum efficiency, forgiveness, and consistency in their wedges, it’s essential to consider if cavity-back wedges are acceptable in 2024. If they are, the CBX 4 is the best option available.
In terms of performance, the CBX 4 excels for several reasons. Its CNC-milled and laser-etched face generates 1.7% more backspin than our test average, but more crucially, this spin is consistent. The variance between the highest and lowest spinning shots was 949 RPM, which is 45.4% tighter than our test average and ranks third among the 20 different 52° wedges we tested this year. Additionally, the carry distance variation from 100 yards was just 9 yards, and the shot area was smaller than our test average, making this a top-performing wedge in terms of numbers.
Beyond the stats, the CBX 4 is a visually appealing and well-feeling wedge. It’s beautifully finished, and now in its fourth generation, it feels like the model has truly matured. Many golfers may not notice the slight size difference between its head and the tour-level Cleveland RTX 6 at the address. The added benefits include a slightly lower price, a wide range of loft choices, and the absence of complex sole grind or bounce options.
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TaylorMade Milled Grind 4 Golf Wedge
If you prefer a traditionally shaped wedge with a familiar groove pattern, and your game benefits from a wide range of loft, sole grind, and finish options, the MG4s are ideal. In our view, the MG4 can be an alternative to the Titleist Vokey SM10.
We can’t guarantee that these Taylormade MG4 wedges will eliminate spin differences between wet and dry conditions. My 2023 Wet Wedge Test showed that the MG4 generated 30% less backspin in damp conditions, which is common among leading wedges.
Golfers who favor very straight leading-edge wedges will love the MG4’s lower lofts. However, be prepared for them to become progressively more rounded as the loft increases.
This model was one of only three golf wedges 2024 to generate over 8000 RPM backspin in the hands of our test pro. With 8003 RPM, the MG4 produced 4.4% more spin than our test average, earning an impressive third-best performance among the 20 models tested at a 52° loft. Additionally, the MG4 demonstrated a smaller carry distance drop-off and a tighter shot area than our test averages, solidifying its place among our top four best wedges 2024.
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Titleist Vokey SM10 Golf Wedge
While tour pro usage doesn’t necessarily dictate a product’s performance, it’s hard to ignore how many of the best players in the world choose Vokey wedges even without sponsorship. Over the years, we’ve found that Vokey wedges, particularly the SM series, consistently offer great feel and solid performance, which is why they are favored by so many top players.
It’s difficult to say the SM10 is significantly better than the SM9. However, if we were investing in new tour-level golf wedges in 2024, the SM10 would definitely be our choice. We appreciate their head shapes, which are simple and unfussy. The leading edges are quite straight in the lower lofts and slightly more sculpted in the higher lofts, which help to enhance the playability and versatility where it’s needed most.
Our test data didn’t show the SM10 as exceptional in terms of numbers, with many results hovering around our test averages. However, this shouldn’t deter anyone from considering Vokey wedges. In our opinion, the SM10 offers some of the best feel, desirability, and versatility available. If you’re investing in wedges at this price point, it’s crucial to get fitted and use the new Titleist wedge app to find your optimal setup.
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Ping S159 Golf Wedge
Ping has long been known for producing top-performing golf equipment for club golfers, but wedges have been one area where they felt they hadn’t quite hit the mark in recent years. In 2024, they’re making a strong comeback in the wedge market with the new S159 series, and it looks like their efforts are going to pay off both in retail and on tour.
If you’re in the market for tour-level wedges, the Ping S159 wedges stand out as some of the best-shaped and most appealing wedges this year. The test results are impressive as well, with a backspin rating 300 RPM above our test average, allowing for precise control on the greens. Additionally, the S159 exhibited the lowest backspin drop-off among all 20 wedges tested at a 52° loft, ensuring consistent and predictable performance, which can contribute to lower scores.
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Callaway Jaws Raw Golf Wedge
First of all, it’s important to note that the Jaws wedge is primarily targeted at the tour level (while Callaway also offers the cavity back CB model), meaning it’s crafted based on feedback from some of the world’s best players. As a result, it features a very defined leading edge, which can be advantageous for precise shots from tight lies, although it may tend to dig into heavy, damp turf.
We particularly appreciate how the Raw finish rusts only on the club face, providing an anti-glare effect in bright sunlight. Additionally, there’s an ongoing debate about whether rusty faces enhance shot grip and spin, but regardless, this feature offers both performance benefits and maintains the wedge’s aesthetic appeal.
In our 2024 test, the Raw wedge didn’t necessarily excel in terms of stopping power; its average backspin is 7408 RPM. However, it displayed exceptional shot dispersion, with shots landing in a significantly tighter area compared to our test average.
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Tour Edge Exotics Wingman Golf Wedge
If you are looking for a good value-for-money golf wedge, the new Tour Edge Wingman is a perfect option. In the UK, Tour Edge clubs can only be purchased from American Golf, whereas the brand is more widely available throughout the USA. Tour Edge has always focused on producing high-performance equipment using solid, reliable components at reasonable prices, and the Wingman fully meets these expectations.
We appreciate that the heads were designed in collaboration with Bernhard Langer. Unlike most modern wedges, the Wingman is forged, not cast. Interestingly, Langer prefers offset in his wedges (a feature Nick Faldo also favored during his prime), as he believes it promotes hitting down on the ball and keeps the hands ahead of the leading edge, enhancing consistency.
Regardless of the rationale behind the design, there’s no doubt that this model offers excellent value for money. The constant offset heads, which position the leading edge slightly back and more in line with the hosel, create the impression that it’s easy to hit down on the ball and slide the head under it for shorter, more delicate approaches.
In our tests, the Wingman achieved 7982 RPM, ranking as our fifth-highest spinning wedge in 2024, with a backspin drop-off smaller than our test average. Golfers can expect consistent shot-to-shot spin on the course.
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Mizuno S23 Golf Wedge
Cavity-back golf wedges have gained significant popularity among club golfers since Cleveland introduced their CBX family in 2017. Mizuno’s S23 model targets the forgiveness and consistency associated with cavity back wedges. With a centralized sweet spot, golfers can expect an improved feel and enhanced spin performance.
Our test data supports Mizuno’s claims. The S23 emerged as our fourth-highest spinning wedge of 2024, indicating its strong performance. Additionally, it tied for the smallest carry distance drop-off (6 yards, alongside the Mizuno T24 and More MOD 1) and had the tightest shot area among all 20 wedges tested (52° samples).
However, it’s important to note that the S23 is one of the most expensive mainstream wedge families, priced at £185 each. As the product is entering its second year on the market and is likely to be replaced by the end of 2024, the appeal of investing in a £555 set of three wedges might be slightly diminished.
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Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Golf Wedge
Cleveland has a long-standing reputation for creating excellent wedges, and the RTX 6 is their tour-level offering for 2024. It’s one of the best-looking wedges on the market. We appreciate the compact size, the straight leading-edge profile, and the new, aggressive CNC Milled pattern on the toe, which provides full-face groove stopping power in a traditional groove design.
Our test data shows the ZipCore generating 300 RPM above average backspin levels in 2024. However, when choosing new wedges, it’s crucial to consider more than just spin rates. Having a comprehensive range of lofts, bounce, or sole grind options, and a finish that you find visually appealing is essential to get the most out of your wedges on the course. Cleveland excels in offering these options.
From 100 yards, our test pro’s shots had a 9-yard drop-off (from longest to shortest) and a 4.9-yard left-to-right dispersion, resulting in a shot area with 37% tighter dispersion than our test average. This level of accuracy is impressive by any standard. For those who prefer full-face grooves, Cleveland also offers the new RTX 6 Full-Face model this year, while the standard model enters its second year of the product cycle.
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Wilson Staff Model ZM Golf Wedge
Wilson Staff is effectively embracing a heritage and timeless classic approach with their Staff Model franchise, and the expanding line-up suggests that this strategy is yielding significant success.
Our test pro felt that the Staff Model ZM had a great look at the address, comparing its profile to the compact, high-toe shape typical of a Mizuno T-type. Wilson confidently claimed that the new ZM grooves turned this model into a spin machine, though they didn’t provide specific reasons for the grooves’ effectiveness. Unfortunately, our test results didn’t fully support this claim.
Despite the ZM’s appealing design and desirability, it didn’t outperform our test averages in any metric. However, this shouldn’t be a deal breaker since selecting wedges is about feel, reliability, and confidence. The ZM certainly provided these qualities in abundance for our test team.
We believe that while the Staff Model wedges are excellent, they will likely attract mainly Wilson enthusiasts and owners of Wilson forged irons rather than golfers generally searching for the best wedges. If you fall into that category, you won’t be disappointed, which is why this model is among our top 9 best wedges 2024.
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The first step is to decide how many wedges you want to carry. Golf rules permit up to 14 clubs in your bag for any round, and while most golfers opt for at least two wedges, you can choose according to your needs. A standard set of irons usually includes a pitching wedge and a sand wedge.
However, many golfers prefer to carry a third or even a fourth wedge. The right choice depends on the types of shots you plan to make.
If you prefer bump-and-run shots along the ground and often use a 7 or 8 iron around the green, you might be content with just a pitching wedge (typically 44-48 degrees) for specific distances and a sand wedge (usually 54-58 degrees) for bunker shots, leaving other chipping to a longer iron.
On the other hand, if you want a full range of pitch shots to fly the ball and land it softly on the green, the gap between your pitching wedge and sand wedge might feel too wide. In this case, a gap wedge (around 50-52 degrees) could be very useful.
Some golfers also like having a lob wedge for super-high shots that stop quickly on the green. While lob wedges can be challenging to hit consistently for many amateurs, they can be a valuable tool if you have the skill to use them effectively, almost like a magic wand for getting up and down.
Above, we have introduced to you the top 9 best golf wedges 2024 as well as how to choose the most suitable one for your game. If you have any questions on this topic or know any other must-have golf wedges for 2024, don’t hesitate to share us by commenting on the box below.
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