Updated January 11, 2023. This article was thoroughly audited by multiple golf experts and coaches for its accuracy. You can read more about our rigorous testing protocol here.
The Rundown:
Best Premium Value Wedge for Low Handicappers: Callaway Mack Daddy 5 JAWS Wedge
“Offering JAWS grooves design, multiple grind options, and incredible versatility, the Callaway Mack Daddy 5 JAWS wedge is one of the few gap wedges that can provide the best premium value for low handicappers!”
Best Budget: Pinemeadow PGX Wedge
“Featuring a solid built and a wide sweet spot, the Pinemeadow PGX Wedge is excellent for beginning golfers who want to fill out their club collection without getting into a lot of debt.”
Best for Mid Handicappers: Wilson Harmonized Black Wedge
“With its tall face, anti-glare finish, and a large sweet spot for better forgiveness, the Wilson Harmonized Black Wedge provides a lower center of gravity than most wedges for a moderate shot height, making it perfect for mid handicappers who want more consistency.”
Wedges are one of the most important components of a golfer’s bag. They play such a huge part from inside 100 yards that many golfers will carry up to four wedges in their bag during a round.
But with the pitching, gap, sand, and lob wedge, many golfers assume that there isn’t much difference between the four. And that’s one of the most terrible assumptions to make.
To cut through a crowded market, we’ve tested tens of the best gap wedges available to golfers to find the top ten picks to purchase in 2023.
A gap wedge provides excellent performance and is sure to help you lower your scores by tightening up your short game!
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Last updated on 2023-03-08. The links are affiliate links. Product images are served from Amazon Product Advertising API.
Best Gap Wedges
- Best Premium Value Wedge for Low Handicappers: Callaway Mack Daddy 5 JAWS Wedge
- Best Budget: Pinemeadow PGX Wedge
- Best Gap Wedges for Mid Handicappers: Wilson Harmonized Black Wedge
- Best Designed Gap Wedge for Beginning Golfers: Lazrus Golf Wedge
- Best Gap Wedge for Beginning Golfers: Tour Edge TGS Wedge
- Best Responding Gap Wedge: TaylorMade Milled Hi-Toe Wedge
- Best Premium Value Wedge for Beginning Golfers: Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge
- Best Distance Option for High Handicappers: Mizuno T20 Wedge
- Best Turf Interaction Option for Low Handicappers: TaylorMade MG2 Wedge
- Best Versatility Option for Low Handicappers: Ping Glide Forged Wedge
Callaway Mack Daddy 5 JAWS Wedge
Best Premium Value Wedge for Low Handicappers
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PROS
- Multiple grind options offer a customized experience
- JAWS grooves design creates staggering spin
- Incredible versatility from any lie or situation on the course
CONS
- A bit on the pricey side, it could be too much for high and mid handicappers
Our in-depth review: Callaway JAWS MD5 Wedge Review (2022 Update)
The Mack Daddy 5 JAWS Wedge from Callaway delivers multiple grinds and bounce options for a customized short game experience. Featuring the JAWS groove system, the MD5 imparts high spin rates for exceptional control around the green.
From the fairway, the MD5 delivers distance with a high launch. Along with its impressive accuracy, golfers that carry the MD5 wedge also can dial in their ideal shot height.
For beginners and high handicappers, the MD5 offers excellent value with fantastic turf interaction. The wider sole moves through rough and sand with ease, creating the clean contact that golfers crave.
Low handicappers will find the MD5 delivers an affordable price with high performance, making it an accessible wedge for serious players.
Offering something for all golfers, the Callaway Mack Daddy 5 Jaws Wedge will save more pars and lower your overall scores with confidence.
Pinemeadow PGX Wedge
Best Gap Wedges for Beginning Golfers
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PROS
- Colorful golfing wedge that is solidly built, even if a tad on the heavy side
- Great entry-level wedge for beginning golfers looking to fill out their bag
- Wide sweet spot helps with finding consistent contact from longer yardages
CONS
- Its low price costs the golfer high-quality craftsmanship and materials
For beginning golfers that want to fill out their club collection but don’t want to create a lot of debt doing it, then the Pinemeadow PGX gap wedge is a solid contender for fulfilling that need.
Made for the fairway, the 52-degree wedge from Pinemeadow is solidly built and provides the inexperienced golfer with a dependable club that gives solid feedback at impact.
Wilson Harmonized Black Wedge
Best Gap Wedges for Mid Handicappers
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PROS
- Tall face makes it easier for beginners to get the ball in the air
- Solid feel at impact promotes confidence in beginning golfers looking for a well-made gap wedge
- The black, anti-glare finish is sharp and sleek and makes for an attractive appearance
CONS
- Doesn’t have the groove system of higher-end gap wedges, causing less spin
The Wilson Harmonized wedge line has become a go-to model for golfers on a budget seeking to find a wedge that performs well while giving the golfer a new look for their short game.
We’re happy to report that the Harmonized gap wedge is quite suitable for mid handicappers, delivering an excellent spin rate while offering a large sweet spot for better forgiveness on full swings.
The Wilson Harmonized wedge comes in either a 50-or 52-degree option, and either choice will make a very solid golfing wedge for your bag. Great for high and mid handicappers, the Wilson Harmonized model can easily provide the yardage you’d expect from the best gap wedges.
Lazrus Golf Wedge
Best Designed Gap Wedge for Beginning Golfers
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PROS
- A great budget wedge that delivers excellent performance with a high spin rate
- Milled face is far more advanced at this price point than comparable gap wedges
- The forged shape gives mid handicappers a more advanced wedge for less money
CONS
- Not as balanced as higher-priced gap wedges that offer more bang for the buck
With a high-grade milled face that produces a very impressive spin, the Lazrus is a forged-style gap wedge with a tall toe that helps keep off-center strikes on target, especially when taking full swings.
If you are trying to fill out your bag without depleting your wallet, then clubs like the Lazrus Golf Wedge series are ideal because they supply the golfer with a short game tool that is very consistent and guaranteed to lower your score.
Tour Edge TGS Wedge
Best All Around Gap Wedge for Beginning Golfers
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PROS
- Excellent response from the sole grind that promotes quality contact with high consistency
- Improved vibration dampening technology gives it a wonderful feel
- Maximum spin milled grooving promotes the outstanding spin rate
CONS
- Great for high and mid-handicappers, the Tour Edge wedge might leave low handicappers wanting more control
Tour Edge has quietly been making terrific and highly regarded clubs for decades with several of their drivers, irons, and wedges making Golf Digest’s Hot List over the years. For golfers wanting to boost their short game, the company has made a series of gap wedges that are so pleasing to look at and even better to play.
The sole of the 52-degree TGS wedge is the real stunner here. We loved the turf interaction with this wedge as it provides excellent turf interaction that promotes consistent contact with the golf ball.
Wonderfully made, the Tour Edge TGS gap wedge is destined to be played by golfers ready to leap to the next level of their game.
TaylorMade Milled Hi-Toe Wedge
Best Responding Gap Wedge, Tailored to Low Handicappers
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PROS
- Wonderfully built gap wedge with a distinct milled look and strong sole grind
- Hi-toe feature provides a more centered sweet spot for a lower launch angle and more spin
- Sole cavity gives the wedge an even feel as the weight is evenly distributed across the bottom of the club
CONS
- An expensive wedge will turn away beginners, but all other levels should consider the wedge due to high performance
If you are looking for a first-rate best gap wedge that can spin the golf ball and provide amazing control around the greens, then the TaylorMade Milled Hi-Toe Wedge may be the answer to your problems.
With a distinct look, the TaylorMade Milled Hi-Toe Wedge is a five-star short game tool that delivers incredible performance and is one of the best gap wedges we’ve tested to date.
Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge
Best Premium Value Wedge for Beginning Golfers
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PROS
- Hollow-cavity design offers more forgiveness
- Exceptional feel from rough and sand for impressive distance control
- Advanced sole design provides outstanding feel and response
CONS
- Bulky appearance may turn away low handicappers who want a forged iron look
Our in-depth review: Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge Review
One of the easiest premium wedges to hit is also a great value club for beginning golfers as the Cleveland CBX 2 delivers exceptional performance. Featuring a dynamic sole, the CBX 2 cuts through rough, sand, and terrible lies to deliver clean contact that generates spin and provides impressive greenside control.
Utilizing the Hollow-Cavity design, the CBX 2 isn’t shy to attack the flag. From the fairway, the CBX 2 provides a tall shot arc with a soft, high-spin landing sure to bring much-needed accuracy to your game.
While we are touting this wedge for beginners, mid handicappers will also find huge benefits through the game-improvement features of this club.
Giving weekend warriors more pinpoint control, mid handicappers struggling with consistency will find the CBX 2 reliable and well equipped to handle any short game task.
Mizuno T20 Wedge
Best Distance Option for High Handicappers
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PROS
- Hydro-flow Micro Grooves keep moisture away from maximum spin
- CNC Milled Grooves impart high-level spin
- Weight placed high on blade increase spin with stability
Our choice for the best distance wedge goes to the Mizuno T20. With a host of inviting features, the T20 rockets the golf ball for golfers that need more length from their accuracy-first clubs.
For beginners and high handicappers, the T20 is a reliable rock from the fairway. Imparting spin with help from the Hydro-flow Micro Grooves that keep moisture away from the outer layer of the golf ball for better control.
What stands out with the T20 is how delightfully fun the club is to play on the course. The heavier, bulkier head delivers power to every shot, never leaving the golfer feeling that they hit the ball thin or weakly.
Each shot with this wedge delivers confidence to the amateur looking to gain consistency in their short game.
TaylorMade MG2 Wedge
Best Turf Interaction Option for Low Handicappers
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PROS
- Incredible spin with ZTP RAW Groove Design
- Exceptional feel with impressive response
- Raw Face design imparts high spin to golf ball
TaylorMade’s new wedge line, the MG2, provides amateurs with all the bells and whistles they would find in a tour-level wedge.
The wedge’s raw face offers a unique experience as the hitting surface will naturally rust over time. This transformation does not impact the quality of shot-making but it does add a beautiful finish to the look and appearance.
Great for mid handicappers looking for more spin, the MG2 provides exceptional feel and response, regardless of the lie or situation, making it one of the best gap wedges available to weekend warriors.
Ping Glide Forged Wedge
Best Versatility Option for Low Handicappers
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PROS
- High spin with exceptional control
- Soft feel behind carbon steelhead
- Tour-shape delivers compact hitting area for premium workability
The Ping Glide Forged Wedge offers style, performance, and total control of the links. Made from carbon steel, the Glide Forged offers premium softness with the muscle to reach the green from inside 150 yards with regularity.
Utilizing its tour-shaped design, the Ping gap wedge moves smoothly through deep rough, sand, and any other problem areas on the course to cleanly impact the golf ball. The wedge’s precision-milled grooves impart the right amount of spin in any situation.
Great for serious golfers, such as low handicappers, that need more creativity from their gap wedges, the Ping Glide Forged Wedge is a blast to play and one of the best gap wedges on the market.
Questions & Answers
What is a gap wedge?
A gap wedge is a wedge that falls between a pitching and sand wedge with a loft of roughly 50-52 degrees. Most professional golfers can hit a gap wedge anywhere from 120-140 yards in distance.
Another way that it can come in handy is through short pitch and chip shots, as the loft on the face doesn’t completely lend itself to opening for a wide stance shot.
Golfers can instead use the gap wedge further back in their address and hit lower shots with a healthy amount of spin that checks up on the green for more accurate short gameplay.
What is better for a beginning golfer: A sand or gap wedge?
As a beginning golfer fills out their bag, they may look to add more wedges to their club collection. Most beginners and inexperienced golfers ask themselves whether there is a difference between adding either a gap or a sand wedge.
The difference between the two wedges is primarily in distance and loft. Most gap wedges have a loft of 50-52 degrees and can be hit around 120 yards.
A sand wedge has a loft that runs anywhere from 56-to-58 degrees and can be hit comfortably around 90 to 100 yards.
For beginning golfers, buying a sand wedge first is probably more feasible as the club helps in deeper rough and, of course, bunkers.
How does a gap wedge differ from a pitching wedge?
A gap wedge is sandwiched between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge in the loft. Pitching wedges come after the 9-iron and typically have a 44-48 degree loft making them more suited for long shots from the fairway or rough.
Rarely do advanced golfers use the pitching wedge for shorter chips and pitch shots as they typically go for a club with more loft.
It is lofted from 50-52 degrees and bridges the yardage not covered between the pitching and sand wedge.
Most golfers can hit their pitching wedge 25-35 yards longer than their sand wedge, and a gap wedge can divide the two and give a golfer more options in that yardage section.
How vital are sharp grooves with gap wedges?
Grooves are everything with wedges. They impart spin on the golf ball as the grooves create friction against the softer cover of the ball to create the spinning and upward trajectory off the clubface.
The reason that golfers prefer sharper grooves is that more spin equals more stopping power on the greens.
By knowing what your golf ball will do from the fairway with a specific wedge, you can dial-in distance and create the ideal shot for getting close to the cup.
A new wedge will provide the most spin to a golfer, but the grooves can become less sharp over time, requiring them to be freshened by either replacement or by sharpening the grooves.
Can I sharpen the grooves of my gap wedge to refresh their condition?
Grooves can go dull after playing with them, so golfers like to keep them sharp either with a tool that can sharpen the grooves or via a professional.
PGA Tour golfers like Tiger Woods prefer to play with new wedges at each tournament to get the advantage provided by a new wedge.
But for the average golfer who doesn’t have several hundred dollars to spend after each time they play 5-10 rounds, the ability to sharpen and maintain their wedges is essential to keeping their short game in tune.
Advanced golfers will typically change their wedges out every year, or at the very least, resharpen the grooves and replace the grip for better tackiness to the hands.