Bettinardi gives its HLX 6.0 wedges a limited Molten Copper finish that patinas over time while keeping the same forged feel and performance.

Gear: Bettinardi Molten Copper HLX 6.0 Forged wedges

A new Molten Copper PVD finish brings a refined look to Bettinardi’s HLX 6.0 wedge lineup.

TINLEY PARK, Ill., — Bettinardi Golf today announced a limited-run release of its HLX 6.0 Forged Wedges in a Molten Copper PVD finish, adding a distinctive new look to the company’s forged wedge lineup. The wedges will be available beginning April 17, 2026, at Bettinardi.com and through select authorized Bettinardi dealers worldwide.

Crafted from Soft Carbon Steel, the HLX 6.0 Forged Wedges are designed to deliver the performance and versatility golfers expect from Bettinardi’s precision-engineered scoring clubs, now with a custom, brand-new finish.

This limited Molten Copper PVD finish pairs a rich copper-toned coating with a copper-plated scoring surface designed to naturally patina through play. Over time, the finish gradually develops a deeper tone and character, giving each wedge a unique appearance while resisting corrosion.

The HLX 6.0 wedges combine refined shaping with Bettinardi’s signature attention to detail and craftsmanship, offering golfers a precise option for scoring shots around the green and on approach.

Sam Bettinardi, President of Bettinardi Golf:

“The HLX 6.0 wedges have been extremely well received by players looking for control and reliability in their short game. This limited Molten Copper PVD finish gives golfers added flair and a bespoke look while maintaining the same performance-driven design.”

The HLX 6.0 Molten Copper PVD Forged Wedges will be available in a limited run beginning April 17, 2026.

The wedges will be available through Bettinardi.com, Studio B Oak Brook, and select authorized Bettinardi dealers worldwide.

Pricing: $250 

About Bettinardi Golf

Founded in 1998, Bettinardi Golf is a family-owned manufacturer of precision golf equipment headquartered in Tinley Park, Illinois. Built on a commitment to American manufacturing, Bettinardi produces its putters, headcovers, and metal accessories in the USA, with every putter designed, milled, and assembled domestically. The company’s forged irons and wedges are designed and assembled in the United States. Bettinardi Golf has recorded more than 100 professional victories worldwide.

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Many golfers think that hitting a wedge shot high is a great benefit. However, there are problems with getting too much ball flight on your shots.

I have been paying close attention to professionals and their equipment, and you can see that they are now working on keeping the ball a bit lower but still including plenty of spin in their shots. For instance, the new Titleist SM9 wedges have a lower launch than previous models to help with this added control.

Here are 5 reasons why you’re hitting your wedges too high and how to fix it.

1. Bigger Swing Than Necessary

One of the first things that golfers should look at when trying to get their ball flight down is the size of the golf swing they are taking. If you are taking a big swing instead of a shorter, more compact motion, you may notice the ball getting up a little higher than necessary.

It’s easier to get a higher trajectory on the golf ball when you have more speed and a larger swing. To fix this issue, you can simply choose a different club and make a more compact motion.

How To Fix This Issue

Take a look at the distance you have to the hole.

Do you need to be using a 60 degree lob wedge to get you to the pin? Could you use something like a pitching wedge, take a more compact motion and keep the ball down just a bit?

The smaller swing is going to help make it easier on you when it comes to controlling the flight of the ball and the angle of your clubface.

2. Opening The Face

When you set up to take your backswing, ensure you are not opening the face of your club too much. For pitch shots and most chip shots, you can let the club sit as it lies and then uses this angle when you make contact with the ball.

Opening the face is really only necessary on full wedge shots where you are trying to go over a bunker or something. You will see some players do this with a sand wedge in the bunkers, but it’s not necessary around the greens.

How To Fix This Issue

Learn what a square club face looks like. Setup with the clubface at a square angle, and then work on maintaining that in your takeaway.

If you have a tendency to open the clubface on the backswing, make sure you have a swing thought of keeping the club square.

3. Ball Too Far Forward

The ball position could be the reason you are hitting your wedges too high.

When you want to hit approach shots to the green from a shorter distance, you will probably want the ball back in your stance. This, of course, does not mean behind your right foot (for right-handed players). Instead, it will just be back of the middle.

Some golfers have a hard time with ball flight being too high when they have the ball in the middle of the stance. Pushing it back just a little allows you to hit the ball on the way down and create a more penetrating ball flight.

How To Fix This Issue

When you are practicing on the driving range, use a golf alignment stick to see where your ball position is. Adjust accordingly and play around with different angles to find something that works for your needs.

Be careful not to get the ball too far back in your stance – this will result in poor shots.

4. Stance Too Wide

Keeping your stance too wide is not just a problem for ball flight, but it is a significant reason that golfers struggle with wedge shots as a whole. Regardless of your skill level, it is much easier to control a golf ball when your stance is more narrow. In addition, keeping that clubhead speed constant and accelerating is also much easier with a narrower stance.

The narrow stance can help players that are struggling with backspin on their golf chip and pitch shots as well. Again, that larger stance opens up the door to inconsistent turf interaction and more movement in the body and the hands.

I have always chipped with a narrow stance that is also slightly open. The open stance encourages a bit more rotation towards the target and a softer overall feel to the golf shot.

How To Fix This Issue

Learning how to get your feet closer together when you chip is one of the easiest adjustments you can make to your game. The average distance your feet are apart is about equal shoulder width. However, on these types of shots, I like to get my feet even more narrow than shoulder width.

It’s important to remember that the further you get away from the hole, the further your feet may need to come apart. Sometimes when you need that extra distance, your feet will have to go back to shoulder width.

5. Incorrect Angle of Attack

An incorrect angle of attack can cause a golfer to hit the ball too high. Many players try to hit the ball up in the air by lifting it.

These golfers often lean back on their right side and try to lift the ball up in the air. It’s so important for golfers to remember that this is not how the ball gets up in the air, and it certainly won’t help you get the spin and ball flight you need to approach a shot in this way.

The proper angle of attack for a chip or pitch shot is to hit down and through the ball. Golfers should hit the ball first and then take a divot after the ball. When you approach from this angle, the ball stays lower, but no spin is lost.

How To Fix This Issue

There are plenty of drills to help you learn to hit down on the golf ball. However, one of my favorites is the line drill. All you need for this is a bit of spray paint, where you can draw a line to use for practice on the driving range.

Spray the line and then set your golf ball up at the beginning of the line. As you hit shots, you are going to want to hit the ball and then take a piece of the line with you. You can keep practicing along this line with the concept of hitting down and through the ball.

The shot will have a cleaner feel, and it will actually even sound crisper. This drill will not only help you from hitting your wedges too high, but you will also have a better time making solid contact with other clubs in your bag. If you can’t spray a line on your green, you can always put a loose tee in front of the ball and focus on hitting this as well.

6. Wrong Equipment

Although playing with the wrong equipment may seem like an excuse for poor golf, sometimes it really does apply. If you have a wedge that is high lofted but also tries to increase loft because of a low center of gravity, you may notice that the combination creates a launch angle that you can no longer control.

As I mentioned, this year, golf manufacturers are starting to put out options to the market that actually help players control the ball flight and keep it down a bit on their wedges. We saw this with the new Vokey line and the Milled Grind options from TaylorMade.

If you watch the pros in person, you can see that their wedges have a much more penetrating ball flight, and the shots have quite a bit of spin as well. The shaft and clubhead combination you choose could encourage you to hit your wedges too high.

How To Fix This Issue

The best way to fix an issue where you are playing with the wrong equipment is to go for a golf club fitting. Launch angle, spin, direction, and total distance are just a few key parameters that a club fitting can teach you about the clubs you have in play.

If you don’t want to pay for a fitting just yet, try a friend’s wedge and see if you hit the ball the same height. If you do, then the equipment may not be the issue.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children. Current Handicap: 1

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Tour-Inspired Precision. Forged Feel. Built-In Forgiveness.

Scottsdale, AZ  – PXG has introduced new PXG® Stick’em Forged Wedges, a 100% forged lineup engineered to deliver exceptional feel and confident control from any lie. Designed with a clean, tour-inspired profile, the new wedges incorporate modern performance features including high-toe weighting, progressive center-of-gravity placement, and optimized groove spacing to promote consistent launch, stability, and spin throughout the set.

The new wedges are available now in Chrome ($199) and Xtreme Dark ($219) finishes.

Forged Feel. Modern Performance.

PXG Stick’em Wedges are precision-crafted from three-times forged 8620 soft carbon steel, a manufacturing process that refines the metal’s grain structure with each strike. This repeated forging compresses and aligns the material at a microscopic level, creating a tighter, more uniform structure that delivers a noticeably softer yet more solid feel at impact along with a crisp, satisfying sound. Beyond feel, the triple-forging process increases the material’s overall strength, helping grooves maintain their sharpness longer while preserving the club’s premium appearance over time. By shaping the clubhead through multiple forging stages before final finishing, PXG engineers also achieve tighter tolerances and exceptional consistency, ensuring every wedge performs as intended.

High-toe weighting increases the moment of inertia (MOI) and positions the center of gravity (CG) in line with open-face shots. This promotes a more consistent trajectory and predictable launch conditions across the face.

PXG’s high-performance groove geometry is engineered to maximize friction and consistency at impact. The grooves are wider, increasing the cross-sectional area, allowing the groove edges to engage the ball cover more effectively while channeling away grass, moisture, and debris. At the same time, tighter groove spacing increases the likelihood that an additional groove edge interacts with the ball during impact. The combination creates more reliable spin generation and improved trajectory control.

“The short game is where players either gain confidence or lose it,” said Mike Nicolette, PXG Senior Director of Engineering. “With Stick’em Forged Wedges, the goal was to give golfers a wedge that performs predictably shot after shot. The head stays stable when you open the face, the grooves generate reliable spin, and the forged construction delivers the soft feedback players rely on to judge distance and touch around the green. When a wedge reacts exactly the way a player expects, it frees them up to be more aggressive and creative.”

Two Sole Options.

Stick’em Forged Wedges are offered in two sole options, allowing players to match bounce and turf interaction to their swing and course conditions.

• BP-Grind (13° Bounce) – A wider, fuller sole delivers higher effective bounce, helping the club glide through turf and sand. Ideal for steeper attack angles and softer conditions.
• S-Grind (10° Bounce) – A tapered sole with heel and toe relief provides added versatility, allowing players to open the face and execute creative short-game shots from a variety of lies.

Stick’em Forged Wedges are available in 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, and 60° lofts with multiple shaft and flex options to suit any swing. Lofts 54°–60° feature full-face grooves to expand the hitting area for open-face shots, while 50° and 52° models feature traditional grooves for full-swing control.

The new line of forged golf wedges is available now. Visit PXG.com, call 844.PLAY.PXG, or swing by PXG retail to learn more or book a custom wedge fitting.

About Parsons Xtreme Golf  

Founded by entrepreneur and self-proclaimed golf nut Bob Parsons, PXG embodies his belief that every new product – from golf clubs to apparel – should be markedly better. Every innovation should noticeably improve your performance. And every moment of impact should elevate your enjoyment.  

Today, PXG offers a complete lineup of both right- and left-handed golf clubs, including drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, and putters, engineered to be custom fit and built to every golfer’s unique specification. The company also designs and delivers high-performance golf and lifestyle apparel, shoes, and accessories.  

PXG’s professional staff includes Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Eric Cole, Patrick Fishburn, Jake Knapp, David Lipsky, Marco Penge, Aldrich Potgieter, Chad Ramey, Mason Andersen, Christian Banke, Paul Barjon, Sebastian Cappelen, Patrick Cover, Cristobal Del Solar, Kevin Dougherty, Joey Garber, Ryan McCormick, Henrik Norlander, Augusto Nunez, Nathan Petronzio, Garrett Reband, Shad Tuten, Celine Boutier, Olivia Cowan, Minji Kang, Megan Khang, Auston Kim, Christina Kim, Gina Kim, Mina Kreiter, Kaitlin Milligan, and Linnea Strom.  For more information, visit www.PXG.com.

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A larger Spin Pocket and added tungsten push CG higher to lower launch and increase spin control in the new Opus SP+ wedges.

Gear: Callaway Opus SP+ wedges

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA   – PROTOCONCEPT GOLF, a distinguished manufacturer of luxury Japanese golf clubs, has been recognized with a medal in the esteemed Golf Digest Hot List. The precision engineered RR Wedges earned the respective silver medal award.

“We are honored to receive the Golf Digest Hot List silver medal,” said Marcy Kamodal, CEO of PROTOCONCEPT GOLF. “Our RR Wedges have earned strong feedback across the board, and this recognition underscores their performance reputation.”

The RR Wedges received four stars for performance, 4.5 stars for innovation, and four stars to receive the Golf Digest silver medal.

The Golf Digest Hot List presents a comprehensive range of golf clubs, accompanied by thorough technical evaluations from scientific experts and perspectives from amateur golfers across varying skill levels. Each swing is monitored with advanced launch technology, and tester feedback is provided to assist golfers in identifying the newest and most effective equipment.

Why Golf Digest liked the RR Wedges: 

• To simplify the wedge-selection process, Proto-Concept developed three sole grinds that differ in effective bounce and are based on playing style.
• The NT grind is on lower lofts and is primarily for full swings. The SP grind is on lofts 56 and up and is designed for those with sweeping swings. The AG grind is another option for 56 degrees and up and is made for those who hit down on the ball.
• Through precise cold forging, groove width and depth have been optimized for maximum spin. The face features two types of laser milling—diagonal and horizontal—significantly improving spin in wet conditions.
• The head is forged, but the addition of a heat treatment achieves the pure feel and helps rid unwanted vibrations.

The Golf Digest silver medal RR Wedges introduce a pioneering level of versatility, delivering a range of playability options for accurate distance control and varied shot trajectories from any lie. The engineering team at PROTOCONCEPT GOLF has designed three advanced sole configurations, each providing distinct bounce properties and superior playability, thereby enhancing short game performance for golfers of all skill levels.

• NT (NEUTRAL) Loft 46°- 58°

The Neutral Sole provides effective performance on full shots and maintains forgiveness from various lies and features a chamfered leading edge and clean-cutting trailing edge for improved turf interaction.

• AG (AGGRESSIVE) Loft 56°- 60°

This sole design, tailored for golfers seeking aggressive head control, features a highly maneuverable structure. It includes an advanced weight distribution system that mitigates face rotation, ensuring accurate and precise shot execution.

• SP (SWEEPER) Loft 56°- 60°

Ideal for players who value consistent impact. The Sweeper Sole ensures smooth turf interaction and optimizes bounce for better playability.

In addition to three advanced sole designs, the RR Forged Wedges undergo an advanced precision forging technology, to attain uniform shaping and exceptional accuracy. Through careful refinement of heat treatment processes and head design, the company has achieved a pure, solid feel upon impact, eliminating unwanted vibrations.

For optimized spin management, the RR Forged Wedges also go through a precise cold forging, to optimize groove width and depth. The face features two types of laser milling—diagonal and horizontal—significantly improving spin performance in wet conditions and on full shots.

The design includes sharp grooves and features for sole and bounce functionality to achieve effective head performance through carefully engineered sole shapes and center of gravity. This ensures exceptional spin control from any distance and lie.

Each loft is individually designed using 3D CAD technology, enabling sophisticated center of gravity placement and sole functionality. This revolutionary concept breaks from traditional wedge design philosophy, resulting in a high-performance wedge unlike any other.

The RR Forged Wedges can be purchased at an exclusive PROTOCONCEPT GOLF dealer. PROTOCONCEPT Golf – Store Locator

About PROTOCONCEPT GOLF:  

Golf manufacturers design and develop golf equipment specifically for golf professionals. These highly specialized golf clubs and concepts are offered as a prototype exclusively for the golf professional and never for the amateur golfer. This was the genesis for PROTOCONCEPT GOLF.

The “PROTO” in PROTOCONCEPT is an abbreviation for “PROTOTYPE.” NOW, amateurs of all levels can play and enjoy the same equipment or prototypes that were once only available for golf professionals.

PROTOCONCEPT GOLF, launched in 2019, is a high-profile luxury Japanese golf club manufacturer that has transitioned its resources and management to North America. Smiling Ducks, Inc. manage the highly sought-after brand.

The PROTOCONCEPT GOLF professional staff include Lydia Ko, Haeji Kang, Ryuji Imada, and Chia Cheng. Their handcrafted line of forged golf clubs is available at exclusive dealers which include Cool Clubs, True Spec Golf, Urban Golf Performance, and online at Fairway Jockey.

For more information, visit www.protoconceptgolf.com

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THERE’S FEEL. THEN THERE’S FORGED FEEL

“Inspired by some feedback from Collin Morikawa, we set out to make the best feeling wedge TaylorMade has ever created. The best players will tell you having great feel around the greens is critical to having confidence in your short game… and to have the best feeling wedge, it needs to be forged.”

Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation – Iron and Wedge

SAW-MILLED GROOVES

SPIN RETENTION IN WET CONDITIONS

MORE GRIND OPTIONS FOR MORE GOLFERS

“For the first time in my career, the MG5 lineup of wedges represents the closest thing to the perfect array of grinds, shapes, feel and spin in one package that I’ve seen in over 45 years.”

Greg Cesario, TaylorMade Wedge Master Craftsman

“For my entire career, I’ve been a universal player, and that’s been reflected in my wedge setup. Over the years, I’ve specifically honed in on grind profiles that allow me to execute all the shots I need in all different conditions. The MG5 TW grind allows me to do exactly that.”

Tiger Woods

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One thing to remember about club fitting is that there are no hard and fast rules and choosing the right wedge grind is the perfect example.

On this week’s episode of GOLF’s Fully Equipped, co-hosts Johnny Wunder and Jake Morrow talked about why focusing on the bounce number doesn’t really give you a good picture of what a wedge will do for you.

Morrow brought up a great example from his own testing on tight lies with low-bounce wedges.

“I was hitting the Opus T, and I was on the very left side of a two-weeks-without-rain ECPC range, which is the tightest lie they have,” Morrow explained. “And with the T grind, which they say on paper and in the forums and everything, that should be the one that works, right? Because it’s super tight. You’re going to be able to nip it, but whatever.

“Well, the problem is for me as a steeper player, it just turns into a knife and then it doesn’t come out of the ground. That’s the issue.

“And so I go, and I start hitting these like 20-yard pitches with the 12-degree X grind, which is probably the highest they have and I feel like an absolute god.”

More often than not, the stated bounce on a wedge bounce isn’t actually what the bounce of the sole is.

This is why Morrow suggests testing wedges blindly, like Titleist does for the Vokey wedge lineup, to determine what works best for you.

Titleist Vokey SM11 Tour Chrome Wedge

Titleist Vokey Design’s new SM11 wedges feature a new precise CG position across each grind in a loft, meaning every wedge will now perform the same way with the same strike.

“I’m almost at the point where I wish the bounce number would just be eliminated from wedges,” Morrow said. “Like I just want to put the shape of the sole, whatever the grind is from each manufacturer on the bottom of them. And the blind test that Vokey does is probably the best way to do it.”

There are so many different grind options from each manufacturer nowadays, and players hit shots in very different ways, so it’s important to find which wedges work for your specific delivery conditions, rather than catering to the course conditions.

For more from Wunder and Morrow, listen to the full episode of GOLF’s Fully Equipped here, or watch it below.

Want to find the best wedges for your game in 2026? Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

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Updated on January 4, 2026

As a high handicapper, mastering the short game can feel like an uphill battle. You might be focused on crushing drives and gaining distance, but what about those crucial shots around the green? The truth is, your wedges can make or break your score—and they’re often the most overlooked clubs in a beginner’s bag.

This guide is here to change that. We’ve compiled the 10 best wedges for high handicappers, designed to make your short game simpler and more effective. These wedges excel in clean turf interaction, forgiveness, consistent spin, and controlled landing, giving you the confidence to attack the pin and set up more one-putt opportunities.

Whether you’re struggling with bunker shots, chips, or approach shots, these wedges are your ticket to turning frustrating misses into scoring chances.

For golfers that just need a quick recommendation, here a side-by-side comparison of our top 3 choices:

What to Look for in a Good Wedge When You’re a High Handicap Player

Types of Wedges

Prior to looking at wedge features, you must decide which clubs to add to your bag. Most beginner players opt for a pitching and sand wedge, but this can open you up to distance gaps between the two clubs.

I suggest carrying a minimum of three wedges, specifically your pitching, gap, and sand wedge, starting out. At this point, the weaker lofted lob wedge may prove impossible to control, so you should learn how to master the easier lofts instead.

Lofts

Once you have chosen your ideal wedges, you must consider the lofts and how they impact your game. For example, if your pitching wedge is 43 degrees, you want to employ a 50-degree gap wedge to plug any potential holes.

With a 50-degree gap wedge in hand, I recommend a 54 or 56-degree sand wedge. These wedges provide sufficient loft to help you escape bunkers and execute flop, pitch, and chip shots. However, they are not excessively weak where it borders on a lob wedge.

If you decide to play a lob wedge, I do not recommend swinging anything weaker than 60 degrees. I love a lob wedge, but the excess loft can cause you to balloon shots and relinquish greenside control.

Forgiveness

As high handicappers, forgiveness is vital for consistency around the greens. I suggest looking for a cavity back wedge, which possesses perimeter weighting for a higher moment of inertia (MOI), and an expanded sweet spot. This helps you produce straighter shots and limits spin drop-off.

Clean Turf Interaction

The final feature to look out for is a sole grind that delivers clean turf interaction. You want your wedges to glide over the grass to make clean contact with your golf ball. This way, you generate the optimal launch, spin, and control on each shot.

10 Best Wedges for High Handicappers

1. Callaway Mack Daddy CB – Overall Best Wedge for High Handicappers

Pros

• Exceptional forgiveness
• Moderately affordable
• Minimizes spin drop off
• Produces maximum spin
• Generates crisp turf interaction

Cons

• Only 2 available sole grinds
• Restricts workability

The Callaway Mack Daddy CB earns the prize for the overall best wedge for high-handicapper golfers. I found that it delivered superior forgiveness compared to the JAWS Mack Daddy 5 at a more affordable price point.

Besides its affordability, I noticed the Mack Daddy CB produced tremendous spin on all shots, from the pitching to the lob wedge. You’ll find that this is the work of the Groove-In-Groove technology, which minimizes spin drop-off for consistent revolutions per minute.

Furthermore, I felt Callaway could have offered a broader range of sole grinds. Sometimes, fewer options are better for high-handicap golfers. You’ll notice that a full grind is your only pick for Mack Daddy CB pitching and gap wedge. Conversely, a W-grind is fitted to the sand and lob wedge.

The sole grinds on these wedges are built to suit a diverse range of turf conditions and swings. Finally, I enjoyed the increased forgiveness provided by this wedge, thanks to its expanded sweet spot and high moment of inertia (MOI). This combination helps reduce spin drop-off and keeps your clubface square at contact for straighter shots.

2. Wilson Harmonized Black – Best Budget Wedge

Pros

• Excellent forgiveness
• Incredibly affordable
• Glare resistant finish
• Versatile sole grind delivers clean turf interaction
• Makes it easy for golfers to open the clubface and get under the ball

Cons

• It offers limited feedback and a firmer feel
• The oversize design may not appeal to some golfers

Who said you will struggle to find affordable options on a shoestring budget. The Wilson Harmonized black wedge range offers a rock-bottom price tag, elevated forgiveness, and glare resistance. All-in-all, you can pick up a set of wedges for less than the cost of individual clubs from their competitors.

Wilson engineers opted to simplify the setup for a beginner by applying a single, versatile sole grind to their gap, lob, and sand wedge constructions. I found it enabled me to open my clubface freely, get underneath my golf ball to clear a sand trap or water hazard, and land my ball softly on the green.

In addition, I enjoyed the black finish on this affordable wedge, which helped to shed glare from my line of sight during the address. You’ll find this reduces distractions and allows you to set up and play your shot without interference.

Furthermore, you’ll find that the oversize design of the Wilson Harmonized Black wedge boosts the stability and MOI of the clubface. Therefore, it helps high-handicap golfers keep the clubface square at impact to produce straighter ball flight.

3. Cleveland CBX Wedge – Most Forgiving

Pros

• Exceptional forgiveness
• Promotes straight shots
• Combats misses to the right
• Eradicates vibrations on off-center strikes
• Generates consistent spin

Cons

• The oversized profile is an eye sore
• It offers limited workability

A high MOI wedge is ideal for beginner golfers seeking straighter flight and forgiveness in your short game. I found that the Cleveland CBX cavity back wedge resisted twisting during my swing and remained stable at impact for superior forgiveness and accuracy.

The engineers employed an oversized cavity back wedge that allowed them to position weight around the clubface perimeter. You’ll see that the precise weight distribution increases the MOI of the clubface and expands the sweet spot. As a result, you produce direct flight and prevent spin drop-off.

Further bolstering the forgiveness of this wedge is the presence of Enhanced Feel Balancing Technology. I saw that it prompted a toe bias profile to fight sidespin that causes you to push or slice your shot. Therefore, you enjoy a straight flight and improved accuracy on all strikes.

Game improvement wedges reduce feedback and provide a firmer feel, unideal for short-game strokes. However, Cleveland combatted this challenge by employing a Gelback pad between the cavity and the clubface to eradicate vibrations and soften each touch.

Finally, I enjoyed the performance of the 4th Generation Rotex Face Tech, which created impressive spin levels on all strikes. The brand’s sharpest tour zip grooves grip into your golf ball cover and impart rampant revolutions per minute for a drop and stop landing.

4. Cobra Snake Bite Wedge – Highest Spinning

Pros

• Exceptional spin
• Delivers increased friction
• Produces optimal launch, depending on the degrees of loft
• Cobra Connect grips gather insight into each shot
• Glare resistant

Cons

• The oversize profile will not appeal to everyone
• The wider grips may not suit golfers with smaller hands.

Wedges are the clubs that give us the right to attack the flag and try to stick it close for a one-putt. However, to execute an effective attack, you need a combination of controlled flight and exceptional spin. The Cobra Snake Bite wedge grabs the title for the highest spinning wedge thanks to an increased dispersion rate.

I felt that the Snakebite Groove Technology performed consistently, enabling me to repeat full swings and stick my ball close to the target. You’ll notice that its tighter groove tolerance generates advanced spin, causing my ball to stop rapidly on approach.

Cobra wasn’t done with spin support and decided to employ Progressive full-face grooves to deliver the optimal launch, spin, and control with each wedge. In addition, you’ll find three sole grind constructions for the different types of wedges in the set.

For example, the wide low sole design best suits soft turf or bunker shots and performs for golfers with a neutral to a steep angle of attack. Conversely, a versatile and classic grind is found on most wedges on the set.

Lastly, you’ll notice that this edition of the Snake Bite series carries a black finish, which works wonders for glare resistance at the address. Plus, the wedges are fitted with Cobra Connect grips, which gather insight into each shot for you to analyze later.

5. Cleveland RTX ZipCore Black Satin – Most Accurate

Pros

• Forgiving
• Promotes straight ball flight for improved accuracy
• Glare-resistant black satin finish
• Spin consistency
• 3 sole grinds to choose from

Cons

• Its oversize profile may deter some players
• The high MOI restricts workability

The second and final Cleveland on the list of best golf wedges for high handicappers is the RTX ZipCore. Thanks to advanced MOI, I found that this wedge delivered the straightest ball flight for improved accuracy.

Cleveland engineers shifted the CG position and placed weight around the perimeter of the face to boost MOI. I noticed this helped me maintain a square clubface through impact and produced higher flight. You’ll find that this suits beginner players struggling to consistently get their ball airborne around the green.

Furthermore, the Ultizip grooves produced an exceptional spin rate propelling my ball to bite hard into the turf and stop immediately. This gave me more freedom to attack the pin, knowing that if I missed my target, the ball would sit quickly.

I learned that Cleveland positioned the grooves closer to improve the friction on each shot. You’ll see that means your golf ball sticks onto the clubface for longer, creating an impressive spin on full shots and chips.

Moreover, the RTX Zipcore is produced with 3 sole grind offerings to cater to every type of shot, attack angle, and turf conditions. Players looking for minimal bounce should consider the low sole, while neutral players best suit the midsole. Finally, golfers with steep attack angles may find comfort in the complete sole construction.

6. MacGregor MacTec X Series – Best Wedges Set for Beginners

Pros

• Super affordable
• It includes 3 wedges in the set
• Classic profile
• Softish feel
• Ample spin

Cons

• Less forgiving than other wedges
• The logo and print on the back of the club are off-putting at address.

MacGregor is a brand often forgotten in the sea of behemoth equipment manufacturers, but they deserve more recognition. I played a MacGregor 5-wood for most of my teenage years, and I have nothing but love for their work. Recently, I have focused on their affordable, consistent MacTec X Chrome wedge set.

You’ll notice that this is a set of three wedges for less than the price of one wedge from a premium brand. It eradicates the headache of selecting your short clubs and issues you with a gap wedge, sand wedge, and 60-degree golf club. As a result, you have everything you need in one acquisition.

Despite their budget price tag, the MacGregor MacTec X set offers a classic head shape and is constructed with stainless steel. You’ll find it works to provide a moderately delicate touch on all shots for enhanced feedback in your short game.

In addition, I felt that the enlarged full-face grooves were deep, narrow, and sharp to produce an impeccable spin rate. The only downside I found is that it offered less forgiveness than other best golf wedges I have tested.

7. Tour Edge Hot Launch E522 – Best Turf Interaction

Pros

• Maximum forgiveness
• Clean turf interaction
• Launches high
• Causes your golf ball to land softly
• Promotes straight flight

Cons

• The oversized profile is unattractive
• The high ball flight may cause some golfers to balloon their shots and minimize control.

Clean turf interaction is essential to help your wedge glide over the fairway or rough grass to make solid contact with your golf ball. I found that the Super Wide Houdini sole on the Tour Edge Hot Launch E522 performed the best in this aspect. This is why it is the best high-handicapper wedge for crisp turf interaction.

Tour Edge suggests that the Super Wide Houdini sole reduces turf friction by 35%, though I cannot provide an exact figure. I definitely felt a difference during each swing. At no point did I feel like the clubhead would dig into the turf and cause a mishit.

Next, the deep undercut cavity back design came into play at launch, sending my ball high and helping it land softly. Usually, I loathe increased trajectory in my short game. But the lower center-of-gravity (CG) ensures consistency for slower swingers struggling to launch their shots.

You’ll see that the E522 rocks an extra large face, equipped with an enlarged sweet spot and higher MOI. Together, these features promote straighter shots and prevent spin drop-offs for superior consistency.

The final piece of the puzzle lies with the Full-Face Maximized grooves that generate adequate spin across the clubface. As a result, you propel your golf ball to fly high and stop quickly on all shots.

8. Ping Glide 4.0 – Best Friction

Pros

• Soft feel
• Escalated friction
• Clean turf interaction
• Maximum spin rate
• 4 sole grinds to choose

Cons

• Premium price point
• Less forgiveness than other beginners wedges

Ping knows how to manufacture game-improvement golf clubs to simplify the lives of the average golfer. I find that the Glide 4.0 wedge caters to a broad range of players, including mid and high-handicappers searching for a soft feel, compact shape, and maximum friction.

Of all the wedges tested this year, I felt the ball stayed on the Glide 4.0 clubface for the longest at contact. This increased spin on my golf ball and boosted my dispersion, distance control, and spin on short game shots.

Furthermore, I embraced the responsive and soft feel afforded by the 8620 carbon steel material and Elastomer CTP insert. Together they muted the feeling of each strike and enhanced face contact for superior friction.

You’ll see that the Glide 4.0 carries an attractive, compact profile which is a pleasure to look over at address. Plus, it encourages workability should you wish to add some shape to your shot.

Lastly, the Glide 4.0 wedges are fitted with face-blasted milled grooves, which are highly durable and improve the texture of the impact zone. This escalates friction and helps your golf ball stick to the clubface grooves at contact to produce an impressive spin.

9. Powerbilt X-Grind Series – Best for Weekend Warriors

Pros

• Exceptionally affordable
• It includes a gap, sand, and lob wedge in the set
• Unique, versatile sole grind
• Soft feel for an entry-level wedge
• They produce a high flight and soft landing

Cons

• The durability may prove an issue in the long run
• It does not produce a high spin rate.

The Powerbilt X-Grind series provides weekend warriors with 3 types of wedges in a single set, which covers every area of your short game. Powerbilt offers you a gap, sand, and lob wedge for less than $100. Besides their entry-level price tag, these wedges provide versatile playability, a soft feel, and a soft landing.

The X-grind sole is built for playability for any position on the golf course. I found that it performed best in moderate turf conditions and generated minimal interaction.

You’ll see these wedges carry an oversized profile enabling the engineers to widen the sweet spot and increase the MOI. As a result, the wedges limit spin drop-off for greater consistency and promote straight high shots.

Finally, I felt that the Powerbilt X-Grind wedges offered a soft feel for entry-level golf clubs. This is thanks to the 431 stainless steel materials employed by the engineers.

10. Autopilot C3i – Best for Yips

Pros

• It helps golfers with yips strike the ball cleanly
• Promotes a high flight
• Generates a soft landing
• Glare resistant
• Clean turf interaction

Cons

• The weak lofts can create distance gaps at the lower end of your bag.
• It eliminates workability

Autopilot clubs are usually not my first choice, but I have to go back on my word with the C3i wedge. A buddy of mine has suffered from the yips for years and always struggles to get the ball out of the bunker or execute a flop shot.

He decided to give the C3i wedge a go. He found that it could get his ball airborne consistently without altering his setup or opening the clubface. A significant change from past experiences. Since then, he has sworn by this no-friction glide, extra wide sole wedge.

Granted, it does not spin at the rate of other wedges, but the high flight prompts a soft, quick landing. In addition, the black, red, and white finish reduce glare at address for a comfortable setup.

My only concern with the C3i wedges is their excessively weak lofts, which may leave a hole between your gap and pitching wedge. For example, the gap wedge is a weak 55-degree, while a sand wedge is set at 59 degrees. Finally, the lob wedge carries an insanely delicate 65 degrees.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years. Current Handicap: 8

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PHOENIX – Engineered to bring golfers of all skill levels more spin and control into and around greens, PING introduced the s259 wedge series today, its next generation of custom- fit and custom-built specialty wedges.

The Tour-proven s259 wedges are offered in 25 loft/grind combinations in two finishes (Chrome and Midnight) and are available for custom fitting and pre-sell beginning today at authorized PING golf shops around the world.

“The new s259 wedges are already winning on Tour and they continue to find their way into players’ bags around the world on a weekly basis,” said John K. Solheim, PING CEO & President. “The pros love the clean look, versatility and, most importantly, the ability to launch and spin their shots with precise control. The s259 wedges represent our on-going commitment to advancing wedge performance and expanding fitting options for golfers of all skill levels. We’ve refined two of the grinds and added some loft/grind combinations to better fit more golfers with an emphasis on proper gapping. With six grinds designed to perform in a variety of playing conditions and techniques, we’re confident we have a wedge to fit every golfer.

“We’re also excited to announce we’ve updated our WebFit Wedge app to help golfers find the s259 wedges that best fit their games,” Solheim added. “The reliable and easy-to-use fitting tool has been used by hundreds of thousands of golfers since we introduced it two years ago. The app doesn’t require downloading, logging in or signing up for anything. It will continue to be accessible via a QR code in golf shops and on ping.com. We strongly encourage golfers to use the app in their wedge-buying process.”

High Friction, High Spin

The s259 wedge’s wheel-cut grooves and machined face combine with an advanced face-blast technology to enhance the surface texture and maximize friction at impact, generating higher spin and control for a lower, more penetrating launch. The 54-to-62-degree options feature more tightly spaced MicroMax grooves. The 46-to-52-degree wedges are milled for greater control on full shots. Extensive player testing indicates exceptional performance in wet and dry conditions.

“Our wedge-face technology has earned a strong reputation for its ability to not only create high spin with control, but retain it in all types of conditions,” said Solheim. “Considering it’s rare when a shot doesn’t encounter some level of moisture or loss of friction, this type of control provides a clear and convincing short-game advantage.”

All loft/grind combinations are available in two performance-enhancing finishes. The proven Hydropearl 2.0 Chrome is hydrophobic, helping repel moisture for control and consistency. The darker Midnight finish provides an attractive, anti-glare appearance.

Tour-Inspired Performance

The 8620 carbon steel head is cast and combines with a larger, re-shaped elastomer insert behind the face to produce a Tour-preferred feel. The eye-pleasing head shape captures the ball at address and a refined hosel transition and full-length bottom groove help create a clean, square look. Progressive hosel shaping and refined heel height provide a smooth transition from wedges into short irons. The CG locations vary by loft to match the performance intent of the wedge.

“A lot goes into the wedge design that’s not readily noticeable,” said Solheim. “Everything from CG location to offset can vary by loft to optimize the primary role of the wedge. For example, our lower- lofted wedges are designed for full shots, so we position the CG to increase ball speed and improve gapping. In higher-lofted wedges, there is more visual offset to provide the player more confidence when manipulating the clubface. It’s a perfect example of what we call custom engineering.”  

Find Your Grind

The new s259 wedge series continues PING’s extensive offering of six grinds (S, H, B, T, W, E), with refinements to the “E” and “T” options and the addition of 50°W and 52°W lofts, which incorporate a wider, more forgiving sole and blend seamlessly into the entire PING iron lineup.

The E-grind was re-shaped in the s259 to give it a more familiar look at address while maintaining high performance from the sand and slightly-open-faced shots. The s259 T-grind features a steeper trail edge, allowing the face to sit very low on open-faced shots.

“Fitting for the ideal sole grind remains a key to unlocking improved wedge performance in the new s259 series,” said Solheim. “We work closely with our Tour staff to ensure their needs are met and at the same time, we’re focusing on a selection of grinds and lofts that will help all golfers improve their short games. That includes grinds that are more forgiving and grinds that are more versatile. It’s one of the reasons getting custom fit for wedges is so important.”

Sole Grind Descriptions/Loft Options:

“S” Grind:  Fits a wide range of players and conditions. A mid-bounce design supports square-faced and full shots, while heel and trail-edge relief offer added greenside creativity. Available in 46°, 48°, 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°.

“H” Grind: Inspired by the PING Wrx half-moon grind, the H ensures versatility in softer conditions. It accommodates various face and handle positions and supports steeper swings with excellent control and turf interaction. Available in 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°.

“B” Grind: Tailored for shallow attack angles and a square setup, the B grind features a low bounce profile that sits tight to the turf. Its wider sole provides forgiveness in firmer conditions, for full and finesse shots. Available in 58°, 60°.

“T” Grind: Has the lowest effective bounce at 6°. It’s the most versatile option and features steeper trail-edge relief to make open-face shots easier and more controlled. Performs exceptionally well on tight lies across medium to firm conditions. Available in 58°, 60°, 62°.

“W” Grind: Maximum forgiveness through the turf. Best fits a player with a steep angle of attack who might have a lot of shaft lean and prefers the look of a specialty wedge with more forgiveness in their scoring clubs. Available in 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°.

“E” Grind:  Eye2-style dishing in the mid-sole delivers softer, more controlled shots from tightly mown areas around the green. Wider back-edge bounce preserves reliable, confidence-building performance for bunker shots. Available in 58°, 60°.

New Dyla-Grip

The new Dyla-Grip advances wedge performance through hand-placement indicators for more versatility around the green. The proprietary grip is ¾” longer with a reduced taper and marked with indicators for gripping down, leaning the shaft and manipulating the face to play with more precision.

“We look at every club as an entire system,” said Solheim. “This is especially important in wedges due to the variety of shots you’re hitting. With the PING Dyla-Grip, we’re providing subtle markings on the grip to give you the versatility and confidence to grip down, open the face or lean the shaft in either direction. All three of those techniques can lead to a better short game.”  

s259 Specifications

Material/Manufacturing Process: 8620 carbon steel head; elastomer insert; precision-milled face and grooves; Hydropearl 2.0 Chrome or Midnight finish

Stock Shafts: PING Z-Z115 wedge; PING Alta CB Blue (SR, R, S)

Optional Stock Shafts: PING AWT 3.0 (R, S, X), Dynamic Gold Mid 100 (R300, S300), Dynamic Gold (S300, X100), Dynamic Gold 120 (S300, X100), KBS Tour (R, S, X), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 105 (R, S, X), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 115 (R, S, X), Elevate MPH 95 (R, S), UST Recoil Dart 65 (A), 75 (R, S), ALTA Quick (35, 45)

Stock Grip: PING Dyla-Grip in three sizes (Aqua -1/64″, White-Std, Gold +1/32″)

U.S. MSRP: $217.50 per club with stock steel shaft; $232.50 per club with stock graphite shaft

For more information, visit ping.com.

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