Updated December 17, 2024. This article was thoroughly audited by multiple golf experts and coaches for its accuracy. You can read more about our rigorous testing protocol here.
In the evolving world of golf equipment, pitching wedges remain a crucial component of any player’s bag.
As we navigate through this year’s pitching wedges, the market offers diverse options, each promising to enhance your short game.
This article aims to cut through the marketing noise and provide a balanced, objective look at the top pitching wedges available this year.
We’ve spent hours testing and analyzing various models, considering factors such as spin, feel, versatility, and overall performance.
Choosing the right pitching wedge can significantly impact your scoring potential, whether you’re a single-digit handicapper or a weekend warrior.
While personal preference plays a role, our research has identified standout pitching wedges that cater to different playing styles and skill levels.
Join us for a deeper look into this year’s best pitching wedge as we explore their top features and help you make an informed decision for your short game.
Last updated on 2025-04-09. The links are affiliate links. Product images are served from Amazon Product Advertising API.
Table of Contents
Best Pitching Wedges 2025
Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge
Best Overall Pitching Wedge
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on Global Golf
Specifications
- Loft: 46°-60°
- Lie: 64°
- Shaft Length: 35”-35.5”
- Swing Weight: D2, D3, D4
Pros
- Multiple sole and grind options available
- Exceptional spin control with Rotex Face grooves
- Very forgiving on toe strikes
Cons
- Bulkier head doesn’t offer workability of forged wedge
What’s fantastic about the Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge is the hollow cavity back. The additional material lowers the CG in the back of the head for tall arcing shots that land softly on the green.
A golf pitching wedge like this are great for any level of golfer that needs improvement from the greenside area, especially high handicappers and beginning golfers.
Great for golfers of all skill levels, the Callaway CBX 2 is a dynamo and well worth the price.
For pitching wedges like the CBX 2, golfers will find that the thick sole, thin face helps with distance control and additional backspin on full shots.
Like the TaylorMade Milled Grind model, the CBX 2 offers a clean entry into the turf with a deeper divot that allows the ball higher on the face.
With a graphite shaft, the CBX 2 offers more swing speed, great for senior golfers who need more distance from the fairway. The rounded shape of the head gives the golfer phenomenal balance throughout the swing, especially within the impact zone.
Read the Full Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge Review
Wilson Harmonized Wedge
Best Pitching Wedge for High Handicappers
Specifications
- Loft: 50°-64°
- Lie: 64°
- Shaft Length: 35.5”
- Swing Weight: D2
Pros
- Wide sweet spot generates speed
- Great open-faced playability
- Forged sole offers clean turf interaction
Cons
- Heavier feel than most comparable wedges
High handicappers and beginning golfers are ideal for the Wilson Harmonized Wedge. Available for a low price that offers fantastic value, the Harmonized features a classic look with a stainless steel finish.
The Wilson Harmonized Wedge comes in a variety of lofts, also offering several sand wedges worthy of adding to your golf bag.
The pitching wedge’s sole grind is versatile enough to be played with an open face for high shots that clear any obstacle.
When using the Harmonized for pitching or chipping, the golfer will find that Wilson’s balance provides excellent bump and run capabilities.
The wedge takes the shape of forged iron, optimized with a rounded tall edge that keeps the ball straight on shots that leak toward the toe with fantastic forgiveness.
The Harmonized also provides a wonderful feel and response from deeper, rough, and thicker sand.
Ping S159 Wedge
Best Pitching Wedge for Mid Handicappers
Check Price on Global Golf
Specifications
- Loft: 46°-48°
- Lie: 64°
- Shaft Length: 35.5”
- Swing Weight: D2
Pros
- Wheel-cut grooves offer total spin control
- Outstanding greenside control
- Premium turf interaction
Cons
- Tighter sole makes it tougher for higher handicappers
After testing the Ping S159 pitching wedge, we must admit we were impressed with its performance and versatility.
The sleek, clean design that exudes confidence at address was the first thing that caught our eye. The S159 also delivered exceptional spin and control around the greens on mid-range pitch shots.
The precision-milled face grooves gripped the ball beautifully, allowing us to execute a variety of short-game shots with confidence.
The wedge’s sole grind provided ample versatility, performing well from both tight lies and fluffy rough.
We also found it worth noting how it glided through rough without digging or bouncing, helping easily lift the ball from trouble.
In terms of feel, the S159 offered a soft yet responsive sensation at impact. The feedback was clear and helped us gauge the quality of our strikes.
Overall, we found the Ping S159 to be a top-tier wedge that should appeal to a wide range of players, especially mid-handicappers, who seek precision and versatility when hitting the ball within 125 yards to the pin.
Callaway JAWS MD5 Wedge
Best Pitching Wedges for Low Handicappers
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on PGA Tour Superstore
Check Price on Global Golf
Specifications
- Loft: 50°-60°
- Lie: 64°
- Shaft Length: 35”- 35.5”
- Swing Weight: D0, D1
Pros
- Several worthwhile grind and bounce options for customized short game shotmaking
- Softer feel add touch around the greens
- Progressive shaping offers preferred look at address
Cons
- Offers a unique, non-traditional design that golfers might not love
The Callaway Mack Daddy 5 JAWS Wedge is the company’s most advanced short game tool and one of the best of their many pitching wedges.
With multiple grinds, the MD 5 offers plenty of different options to play based upon your preferred way of playing from inside 100 yards.
One of Callaway’s best golf pitching wedges for greenside play, the Callaway MD5 uses a metal injection into the sole to anchor the head for better launch with more backspin over previous MD models.
From the fairway or the rough, the MD 5 has tremendous feel and response that instills confidence with each swing.
Available in either steel or graphite shafts, the MD 5 doesn’t have a hi toe, but its rounded face works well to provide the forgiveness most golfers are looking for from their game.
The Callaway MD 5 is designed to give the player a higher price option that provides premium performance for the course.
Read Full Callaway Mack Daddy 5 JAWS Wedge Review
TaylorMade MG2 Wedge
Best Control Option
Specifications
- Loft: 50°-60°
- Lie: 64°
- Shaft Length: 35”- 35.5”
- Swing Weight: D3, D5
Pros
- Milled sole offers premium turf interaction
- Raw face technology delivers high quality spin
- Lower CG improves launch while enhancing feel
Cons
- Amateurs may not like the look of the raw face design
TaylorMade’s MG2 Wedge offers a host of exciting features alongside its absolutely wonderful play.
Featuring a milled grind sole, thick-to-thin head design, and a TPU insert provides a triple threat that produces shots with high launch, high spin, and clean turf interaction.
A fun feature included with the MG2 wedge is the Raw Face technology. While you won’t see the benefits of this feature early in your ownership, the face begins to rust over time, and while that will not hurt performance at all, it delivers a unique look.
The grooved hitting area is compact, so although it is ideal for advanced players, that caveat shouldn’t dissuade you if you are looking for a wedge you can grow into during your golfing journey.
During our testing, we found that this wedge offered up to 8-10 yards of additional yardage over standard wedges, allowing us to reach more greens with more spin and control, a dynamic combination.
An excellent wedge for harnessing your power, the TaylorMade MG2 wedge delights all levels of golfers.
Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge
Best Value Pitching Wedge
Specifications
- Loft: 46°-60°
- Lie: 64°
- Shaft Length: 35”- 35.75”
- Swing Weight: D3, D4
Pros
- Matches well with game-improvement iron sets
- High spin with softness around the greens
- Full face grooves offers forgiveness and spin control
Cons
- Cavity-back design limits workability
The Callaway Mack Daddy CB offers aggressive playability from anywhere inside 125 yards.
Featuring the company’s advanced JAWS groove system, the Callaway Mack Daddy CB offers a cavity-back design, rather than the standard forged look, to provide seamless transition from your irons to your wedges.
Two player-friendly loft options, 46-and 48-degrees, are available with the Callaway Mack Daddy CB.
Each loft qualifies for a pitching wedge, and the full sole of either loft offers premium turf interaction that mimics high irons from the fairway for crisp hit quality.
On shots from inside 125 yards, the Mack Daddy CB creates a crisp feel with a full swing producing the confidence most mid-range players need from their wedges.
On chip and pitch shots, the Mack Daddy CB provides a firmer feel that produces the low arcing shot that quickly creates the forward roll that controls the ball as it rolls to the cup.
Every Mack Daddy CB comes with high-performance KBS steel shaft and Golf Pride grip for increased control.
Wilson Staff Model Wedge
Best Budget Tour-Level Wedge
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on PGA Tour Superstore
Specifications
- Loft: 46°-60°
- Lie: 64°
- Shaft Length: 35”- 35.75”
- Swing Weight: D3, D4
Pros
- Premium tour-level shaping
- Precision milled face provides impressive spin rates
- Dynamic feel and responsiveness with a variety of shots
Cons
- Limited customization features from Wilson
The Wilson Staff Model wedge offers top-tier performance with a clean look that fits well in anyone’s golf bag.
Available in three different editions: standard, hi-toe, and tour-grind, the Staff Model utilizes its carbon steel build to provide the feel and responsiveness that we crave on the course.
During our time with the Staff Model, we put this wedge through the works. And no matter the situation, whether deep rough or loose sand, the Staff Model produced clean results that we certainly enjoyed.
On the links, we loved how the Wilson Staff Model produced touch-on-pitch lose shots with extended muscle on full swings. Regardless of the shot you’re facing, the Staff Model produces the spin to quickly stop shots next to the hole.
Although the grooves on the Staff Model don’t extend to the toe, the hitting area offers a generous stretch of steel to create spin and quality contact.
Wilson usually is discounted among serious players when it comes to wedges, but the Staff Model series should reverse this trend due to its premium performance.
Mizuno T20 Wedge
Best Wedge for Wet Weather
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on Global Golf
Specifications
- Loft: 45°-62°
- Lie: 63°
- Shaft Length: 35.25”- 35.5”
- Swing Weight: D3, D4
Pros
- Highly reliable with very forgiving sweet spot
- Milled grooves offer exceptional spin
- Impressive all-weather performance
Cons
- Heavier with bulkier body limits distance
Mizuno’s T20 wedge is a true warrior on the links, delivering distance and accuracy from any situation on the course.
With various lofts and bounces, Mizuno provides a full suite of highly-capable options for building your short game clubs.
Another fun feature of the T20 is the HydroFlow Micro Grooves. Mizuno built the hitting area to push away water from the face during impact.
Rather than leave moisture on the grooves, Mizuno has created a system that creates a staggering feel and response, two incredible benefits we experienced during our time with the wedge.
What we really adored about the T20 was the muscular head shape. You never feel like you’ve hit a thin shot with this wedge, and it remains one of the easiest to get the ball into the air among golf clubs we’ve tested.
We can safely say that we haven’t hit a wedge as solidly built as the T20. If you are in the market for a reliable wedge that produces distance and feel, the Mizuno T20 remains unrivaled.
How We Tested the Pitching Wedges
Our testing process for the best pitching wedges begins with an in-depth analysis of each wedge’s specifications.
We scrutinize each pitching wedge, focusing on key specifications such as loft angle, lie angle, bounce angle, and shaft length.
Following the lab work, we transition to indoor hitting sessions. Using state-of-the-art launch monitors, we collect data on ball speed, launch angle, spin rates, and dispersion patterns.
Our team of testers, representing a range of handicaps, hits numerous shots with each pitching wedge.
We pay attention to consistency across different strike locations on the clubface, assessing how forgiving each wedge is on off-center hits.
The next phase involves outdoor testing around practice greens and short game areas. Here, we evaluate the wedges’ performance in real-world conditions.
Testers hit various shots, including full swings, pitch shots, and delicate chips from different lies and distances.
We assess factors such as trajectory control, stopping power on greens, and the ability to manipulate shot shape and height from the rough.
Throughout the process, we gather feedback from our testers on aspects like feel, sound at impact, and overall confidence when addressing the ball.
This combination of objective data and personal impressions allows us to evaluate each pitching wedge’s performance, helping golfers make informed decisions based on their specific needs and playing style.
How to Choose the Best Pitching Wedge
Loft
The loft of a pitching wedge is measured by the angle of the club’s face. Most pitching wedges offer loft degrees between 44-50 degrees.
The degree number is the lowest among wedges but important to produce the yardage needed from this club.
Since most iron sets include a pitching wedge, you can expect that its degree measurement will co-exist with the 9-iron. The face angle is directly responsible for the height of the shot and the level of spin rate shots will achieve.
Grind
The grind on a wedge deals with the amount of material on the sole of the club. Wedges need different sole grinds due to the different types of shots these golf clubs need to hit.
Advanced wedges offer better turf interaction through their various sole grind options.
The bounce and grind of a wedge work together to move the leading edge through the impact zone, taking a divot, but cleanly contacting the golf ball along the sweet spot.
Bounce
The bounce of the pitching wedge is typically low because the golfer needs to produce clean contact with a normal divot pattern.
Since most golf clubs offer a cavity back look, the club head offers a lower center of gravity for better shot height, something that helps considerably with a higher bounce option.
The bounce registers the degree of difference between the leading edge to the back edge of the sole. A lower bounce enters the turf sooner to produce better contact.
Unlike lob and sand wedges, which need a higher degree of bounce, a pitching wedge is designed with a lower bounce to create the launch angle and yardage needed from the golf club.
Recommended: Wedge Bounce Explained for Beginners
Spin Rate
The spin rate of a wedge registers how many revolutions the golf ball makes.
The higher the backspin, the more stopping power a shot has on the green.
A progressive center of gravity also helps boost the golf ball revolutions of a pitching wedge. Although it needs more distance when compared to other wedges, a higher CG does help reduce the backspin, without sacrificing control.
Grooves
Grooves are trenches along the face and are responsible with creating spin.
Modern golf clubs use spin milled technology to create sharp grooves with texture to enhance the friction needed against the outer layer to increase backspin rates.
With innovative spin control, the grooves of the face is designed to help increase accuracy while allowing the golf wedge to produce smooth contact and feel.
Matching
Finding wedges that carry the same style and brand as a golfer’s current set can appeal to players looking for symmetry with their club set.
But looking with that tunnel vision can ultimately be a mistake for novice golfers because they’ll push aside different brands that might offer more beneficial performance.
Yes, especially with beginners and high handicappers, finding a brand of club that promotes confidence can be more beneficial than creating an assorted set.
So, while it is vital for the golfer to listen to their gut when it comes to adding wedges to their set, they also need to evaluate the full extent of offerings before making their final decision.
Shaft
Most golfers prefer pitching wedges with stainless steel shafts for the solid feel and response. For advanced players, the steel shafts continue the experience of using their irons for an even performance throughout the set.
For golfers struggling with maintaining their swing speed, a graphite shaft can boost performance. Seniors, women, and junior golfers can maximize their distance and carry with the use of graphite shafts, even with their pitching wedge.
Regardless of the type of shaft, finding the right flex is equally important related to swing speed.
Price
A great way to find the best pitching wedge for your bag is to look at price versus skill level.
Yes, the best pitching wedges on the market can help any level of golfer, but for those casual players that need performance and affordability, comparison shopping certainly helps clear up the available options.
The price of a top-tier wedge runs around $100-$175. For that amount, you can expect a well-designed club head with razor sharp grooves that generate eye-popping spin.
Mid-range handicaps, such as 12-20, and high handicappers, can find perfectly useful pitching wedges around $100 in price.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you use a pitching wedge?
A pitching wedge can be used from the fairway or for shots around the green. From the fairway, this club has the range of 80 for beginners to 140 yards for advanced players.
Since the club has a degree loft around 46-50 degrees, it can offer high launch with accelerated spin, giving players pinpoint accuracy.
When taking a full swing with a wedge, you can expect the shot to replicate an arch-like shape. The ball will fly higher than woods and high irons with more backspin and better distance control.
When using the club in a pitch or chip situation, the loft helps reduce height, especially when the ball is moved back into the stance. By reducing the height of the pitch, a golfer increases forward roll for better bump and run control.
The pitching wedge is also regularly used with steel shafts, making it ideal for shorter par 3s because it offers better backspin and feel through the face’s micro grooves.
It is important to know how to hit a pitching wedge with precision and control.
We recommend you check our guide: Chipping vs Pitching: What’s the Difference?
What degree is a pitching wedge?
A pitching wedge regularly clocks in with a loft of 46-50 degrees. The distance for professionals with this club regularly reach distances of around 150 yards.
Amateurs, with reduced swing speed, typically hit the club anywhere from 80-130 yards. Unlike a sand wedge, gap, or lob wedge, the pitching wedge offers less backspin control because golfers need more distance with the loft.
A wedge is designed to provide control for golfers. Each wedge, whether it be a sand, lob, or gap, provides different club head and bounce options.
Each characteristic offers different qualities that affect the shot. But the most important aspect of the wedge is what backspin and feel it provides off the club face.
What is a standard pitching wedge loft?
A standard pitching wedge owns a loft of 46 degrees, although it can reach 50 degrees.
When looking at the options of this club from Callaway, Cleveland, and TaylorMade, you’ll find many loft options, but the companies regularly give their 46-degree option, like the TaylorMade Milled Grind 2 (MG2) with the hi-toe or the Ping Glide 3-0, the moniker of pitching wedge.
The loft of the club is designed to provide more distance with better control due to the cut grooves and milled face. Each feature offers more backspin with incredible turf interaction for crisper shot making on full shots from the fairway.
Must read: How to Hit Pitch Shots.