Edited by: Jordan Fuller
Reviewed by: John MarshallLast Update:
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 a pitching, gap, sand and lob wedge, many golfers assume that there isn’t much difference between the four. And that assumption would be a terrible one 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 2020.
Each 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 2020-08-15. The links are affiliate links. Product images are served from Amazon Product Advertising API.
Table of Contents
10 Best Gap Wedges
Callaway Mack Daddy 4 Wedge
Best High Spin Gap Wedge for Mid Handicappers
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PROS
- Improved spin from previous Mack Daddy versions with new groove technology
- Multiple grind options for variety of sole widths for tailoring your short game
- Incredible turf interaction as wedge slides easily through the impact zone for high-quality contact
CONS
- The numerous options could turn away high handicappers looking for easy solution
The Callaway Mack Daddy 4 gap wedge is another solid addition to the company’s popular line of wedges that have piqued the interest of professional and amateur alike. The chrome finish of the Mack Daddy 4 makes the wedge standout as the fantastic design gives the club exceptional performance for golfers of all ages.
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Since gap wedges are primarily used on fuller shots from a distance that begins around 120 yards, Callaway has specially crafted the Mack Daddy 4’s groove system to produce consistent spin for more dependable flight.
The Mack Daddy 4 line also provides a gap wedge that comes in any of four different sole options that allows the golfer to choose the best way for the gap wedge to interact with the turf. Each sole grind also provides a different degree of bounce to aid in providing the ideal turf interaction for your game.
If you are a high handicapper that wants to find a five-star wedge, the assortment of bounce and grind options could become a bit too confusing, leaving you stumped as to what Callaway wedge is right for you.
But for advanced golfers, it will be hard to find a better gap wedge than the Callaway Mack Daddy 4 wedge.
Pinemeadow PGX Wedge
Best Budget Gap Wedge for Beginning Golfers
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PROS
- Colorful gap 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
- The inexpensive price of the PGX wedge 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 gap wedge from Pinemeadow is solidly built and provides the inexperienced golfer with a dependable club that gives solid feedback at impact.
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The bright green and black finish of the club does give the gap wedge a sleek look that grabs your attention but if you are hoping for a revolutionary wedge that lowers your scores, then you might be sadly disappointed.
If there is a major complaint about the PGX gap wedge, it is that the club is really tailored to the beginning golfer who doesn’t want to break the bank with their wedges. For mid handicappers, the PGX will undoubtedly fall short in performance and construction for their growing skillset.
Regardless, the PGX gap wedge does deliver adequate spin and consistency from the fairway. Don’t expect a high spin rate that draws the ball back to the hole. During our testing, the club did admirably at getting the ball to sit on the green with a moderate shot height.
Wilson Harmonized Black Wedge
Excellent Gap Wedge for Mid Handicappers
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PROS
- The Wilson gap wedge has a tall face, making 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
- The Wilson gap wedge doesn’t have the groove system of higher-end 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 for mid handicappers, the Harmonized gap wedge is quite good, delivering a nice spin rate while offering a large sweet spot for better forgiveness on full swings.
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The gap wedge in Harmonized line provides a lower center of gravity than most budget wedges for a moderate shot height that doesn’t go too high, perfect for mid handicappers who want more consistency for their game.
The sole grind on the Wilson Harmonized gap wedge is rather slim for its targeted audience. The forged look is something that you’d commonly find in a high-end gap wedge, but Wilson has replicated the look and bounce of a wedge that might be difficult to find consistency for high handicappers.
The Wilson Harmonized wedge comes in either a 50-or 52-degree option and either choice will make a very solid gap wedge for your bag. Great for high and mid handicappers, the Wilson Harmonized model can easily provide the yardage you’d expect from a gap wedge.
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
Another gap wedge that has caught the attention of beginning golfers looking to add a solidly crafted club to their bag is the Lazrus Golf Wedge. With a high-grade milled face that produces 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.
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Created for everyday golfers, the Lazrus line of wedges are dependable and provide repeatable flight path that is something most beginning golfers seek from their wedges.
We must admit that the Lazrus certainly knocked us over with its performance from mid-range distances. The 52-degree gap wedge worked really well from around 120 yards for our high handicap testers as they saw better accuracy and distance than with other similarly priced gap wedges.
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 the Tour Edge gap wedge wonderful feel
- Maximum spin milled grooving promotes the outrageously good 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 wedges that are so pleasing to look at and even better to play.
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The Tour Edge Triple Grind Sole (TGS) Wedge is one of the smoothest gap wedges we tested and at the affordable price point, it is a steal for golfers hoping to get into the single-digit handicap level during the upcoming golf season.
One of the best features of the TGS wedges is the milled grooves. Crafted to the maximum legal standards, the Tour Edge TGS gap wedge imparts exceptional spin onto the golf ball, creating a nice high shot with a soft finish that is sure to stop and provide a little backup to the hole.
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 promoted consistent contact with the golf ball.
Wonderfully made, the Tour Edge TGS gap wedge is destined to be played by golfers who are ready to take the leap into 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 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.
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With the copper finish, the TaylorMade Milled Hi-Toe Wedge is one stunning piece of golf equipment, ready to give you a balanced feel throughout the shot. Our testers loved this gap wedge for its terrific performance from a variety of distances, but especially when they could reach back and get that extra cut off distance.
What’s awesome about the Hi-Toe wedge is that the entire face of the wedge is milled with grooves. If you hit the ball high on the toe, the wedge responds by imparting spin onto the golf ball and limiting the damage. From the fairway, the TaylorMade wedge is masterful, giving the golfer outstanding distance with a moderate ball flight that won’t allow the wind to affect the shot.
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 Game-Improvement Gap Wedge
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PROS
- Hollow cavity design provides exceptional forgiveness with balanced perimeter weighting
- Three different sole grinds available offer response and feel options for all levels of golfer
- High spin rate with specially-milled grooves for shot-stopping power on the greens
CONS
- Bulky appearance may turn away low handicappers who want a forged iron look
The Cleveland CBX2 Wedge might look like a super-game improvement iron, but it certainly isn’t a blunt force tool around the greens as the gap wedge offers exquisite forgiveness on off-center strikes and long distance from the fairway.
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What we love about the Cleveland CBX2 is the shape of the wedge. The hollow cavity-backed wedge has a wide sole for smooth turf interaction that keeps the energy directed to the golf ball and not lost in your divot.
The response and feel of the CBX2 is really where the wedge shined during our testing. Each shot that met the sweet spot was felt by the golfer and the growing confidence that the testers felt with each additional shot made this one of their favorite gap wedges to play.
The bulky appearance of the CBX2 might dissuade golfers who prefer a compact look to their gap wedge but those golfers will be missing one of the most forgiving and high performing cavity shaped wedges on the market today.
TaylorMade Milled Grind Wedge
Best Control in Gap Wedge for Mid Handicappers
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PROS
- The machine milling on the face of the wedge is terrific, giving the wedge plenty of spin
- Lower launch angle works well for golfers that want lower flight and more control
- Softer feel at impact creates better response throughout the shot
CONS
- Thin sole on the TaylorMade wedge may knock beginners away from using the club
The TaylorMade Milled Grind Gap Wedge comes in at 52-degrees, delivering an exciting overall experience from the fairway at a variety of differing lengths. The carbon steel body of the wedge provides a solid feel throughout impact and the groove system is one of the best we’ve seen on a gap wedge at this price point.
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The wide sole on the TaylorMade gap wedge promotes solid and dependable contact that provides the golfer with a confidence that allows them to swing away when needed.
Not as sophisticated as the Hi-Toe wedge from TaylorMade that is also on this list, the Milled Grind gap wedge delivers the same mid-range launch angle that the company is known for with their wedges.
The center of gravity has been moved lower in the clubhead for more stability at impact and to increase the spin rate. We noticed during our testing that the Milled Grind wedge was one of the highest spin rate gap wedges we tested. If you are looking for a gap wedge that can stick a shot into the green from over 100 yards, then this model is up for the job.
Cleveland RTX 4 Wedge
Best Gap Wedge for Low Handicapper
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PROS
- Ideal for the low handicapper that wants a straight forward, high-end gap wedge that is a top performer
- Sharp tour-grade groove system that provides excellent spin rate and great feel off the face
- V-shaped sole grind for smooth slide through the turf and solid contact
CONS
- Smaller club head than most game-improvement wedges, makes this wedge solely for advanced players
For the advanced player who’s handicap sits in the single digits, then Cleveland has created the RTX 4 wedge to take their game to an even higher level. The gap wedge in this series comes in either 50-or 52-degree loft options and however you choose to go, each wedge will provide your game with new options for shotmaking.
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Make no mistake, this is a tour-level club, modeled for professional golfers who like a compact gap wedge that can mold shots with skill. The RTX4 can provide the optimal height to your shots from the fairway or if you are looking for something to stick on the green with a half swing, the wedge can do that as well.
Versatile and with unrivaled control, the RTX4 comes with several options for bounce and sole grinds. Each option gives the golfer the ability to shape the contact they want for each and every short game shot with the gap wedge.
It is also worth noting that the RTX4 has one of the best groove systems that Cleveland has ever created as their Rotex Face technology gives the golfer the ability to work any shot with the gap wedge, even from the deep rough.
Callaway Mack Daddy 5 JAWS Wedge
Best High Spin Gap Wedge for Low Handicappers
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PROS
- Made from carbon steel, the wedge provides a well-crafted look and feel to advanced golfer
- Different grind options for golfers who want more control with the turf interaction of the wedge
- Compact design works very well for highly-skilled golfers who want more control from inside 100-120 yards
CONS
- A bit on the pricey side, the Mack Daddy 5 could be too much wedge for high and mid handicappers
From Callaway, the latest wedge in their Mack Daddy line is spectacular, with incredible feel from anywhere on the course and spin rates that are off the charts. The Mack Daddy 5 features the new JAWS technology that imparts a new groove system onto the wedge’s face for more spin and greater control.
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If you are looking hard at the Mack Daddy 5 then you’ll also be happy to know that the wedge comes in one of five different sole grind options. If you like playing your gap wedge with an open stance, then the company has created the C-Grind for your game, a grind option we find very accessible to golfers of all skill levels.
If there’s a beef with the Mack Daddy line of wedges, it is that they are expensive and putting a few in your bag could cost as much as a new set, but that shouldn’t deter you from giving them a look as the quality they bring to your game is certain to elevate your experience on the links.
The Callaway Mack Daddy 5 is one racecar of a gap wedge offering advanced golfers the ability to create the ideal shot with their gap wedge. With long-distance and dynamic contact quality, the Mack Daddy 5 is one of the most comprehensive wedges we’ve ever tested.
Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
Criteria 1 – Spin
Spin is incredibly important when evaluating a wedge as it provides stopping power on the greens for the golfer. For aggressive golfers who like going for the pin, a high-spin wedge can be an absolute asset that provides exceptional accuracy.
Spin is created on the face of the wedge through friction that is imparted onto the golf ball’s cover by the grooves on the club. Professional golfers love a fresh wedge each week because they want to keep the grooves as sharp as possible for more spin.
Grooves are created through a milling process that gives them the microscopic ridges that increases friction and spin. Not every golf manufacturer takes the time to create first-rate grooves in their wedges, leaving it to the golfer to test and determine the best wedge for their game.
Criteria 2 – Shot Height
Wedges are used primarily in the short game to provide accuracy to short pitch shots and longer full swing shots from inside 100 yards of distance. Most golfers want to be very accurate with their wedges by hitting shots high, so that they may land softly with maximum spin.
But not all wedges are created to lift the ball high into the air for the golfer. The lift in a wedge comes from the center of gravity installed into the bottom, or sole, of the club. The lower the center of gravity, the higher the ball will lift off the clubface.
Some golfers don’t like a particularly high wedge shot because then, the golf ball becomes vulnerable to wind and side spin, creating a flight path that is less predictable.
Criteria 3 – Response
Much like an iron, a good wedge can provide an excellent response when struck well. When we talk about the response in a golf club, we are interested in the feedback it gives the golfer throughout the swing, especially at impact.
A gap wedge is slightly different than say, a 7-iron for example because it is going to hit the ball shorter and higher. We still want that solid feel at impact, but we also want to feel the lift of the ball off the clubface.
So the response of gap wedge is lighter because the ball isn’t being pushed for distance, compared to a driver or long iron.
For most amateurs, the importance of response will be in that immediate aftermath at impact. But low handicap players want a solid experience throughout the swing, so they may judge the response differently.
Criteria 4 – Feel
When golfers discuss the feel of the club, they begin their judgment of the club by the impression they get when it rests in their hands. They ask questions like: Is it solid? Does it feel flimsy? Does the wedge feel well built?
In today’s high tech equipment world, even the lower-end wedges are well-made and have characteristics that make them appealing to the beginning and inexperienced golfers.
One of the biggest areas of the club that helps with feel is related to where the center of gravity rests inside the head. If the center of gravity is lower in the club, the golfer can expect more launch and spin.
This holds true of a gap wedge and is one of the reasons why a golfer needs to know how a club like this responds and feels after impact.
Criteria 5 – Balance
When we talk about balance in a gap wedge, we are referring to how it moves through the impact zone. Does the toe or hosel dig into the turf first? Or does the clubhead stay level through striking the golf ball for a balanced shot that is consistent?
When hitting a gap wedge for the first time, golfers will notice that the wedge tends to act more like a short iron, like a 9-iron, than sand or lob wedge.
Yes, the height produced on a shot with a gap wedge is definitely higher than a short iron, but the feel and balance of the club lend itself to feeling more like a 7-, 8-, or 9-iron.
Balance in any club is created by the manufacturer as they use weight throughout the clubhead to level the iron or wedge. With the sole of the club weight more, the club designer moves weight around the perimeter of the toe to keep the wedge evenly distributed throughout the swing.
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 a gap wedge can come in handy is through short pitch and chip shots as the loft on the face don’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 check up on the green for more accurate short gameplays.
What is better for a beginning golfer: A sand wedge or gap wedge?
As a beginning golfer fills out their bag, they may look to add more wedges to their club collection. The question that most beginners and inexperienced golfers ask themselves is there a difference between adding either a gap or sand wedge.
The difference between the two wedges is primarily with 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 90-100 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 and sand wedge in terms of 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.
A gap wedge is lofted from 50-52 degrees and really 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 important 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 sharper grooves are more preferred by golfers 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.