Best Sand Wedge for Beginners: Top 10 Picks in 2020

The wide sole of the CBX wedge helps cut through any obstacle, whether it be tall grass or deep sand, to give the golfer a clean surface to hit the golf ball. The rounded look of the CBX wedge helps keep the club gliding through the turf to prevent excessive chunking of pitch and chip shots.

Lighter than most wedges, the CBX sand wedge could be too light for beginning golfers who want a heavier, more solid-feeling club that keeps the head low to the ground during takeaway and throughout the impact zone.

Accentuated by the cavity-backed design, the CBX wedge is our pick for the best all-around wedge for a beginning golfer because it reduces the game down to the essentials, a perfect combination for inexperienced golfers who need a wedge to help them focus on improving their short game.

The C3i Wedge does come in a 56-degree version, ideal for those looking for a sand wedge.

Although, at first glance, the wedge has a gimmicky look with the wide sole, we must admit that it really does help beginning golfers get a sense of what a sand wedge should do around the greens.

Another thing we liked about the club is that it does help provide the golfer with a feel of where the center of gravity rests inside the head. With the center of gravity placed lower in the C3i Wedge, the golfer can expect it to deliver more launch and spin after impact.

However, if there is one thing that we must note about the C3i Wedge it is that it is meant to be played with a square stance, meaning both feet are even at address. This is negative in the sense that if you grow into your game and develop your skill set, you’ll eventually have to replace the wedge for a more advanced model.

The balance in this sand wedge by Wilson is expertly distributed as they have a long history of using the weight in the clubhead to level out their wedge line.

Since the sole of a wedge weighs more, Wilson has moved weight around the perimeter of the head to keep the wedge evenly distributed throughout the swing. This slight detail is why the wedge will help beginners increase their performance from inside 50 yards.

The club does have the look and feel of a forged iron, and while that may play differently than other wedges with a broader sole, the beginning golfer shouldn’t be scared off by the design.

One of the biggest reasons why a beginning golfer should consider the Wilson wedge is the price point, as it is one of the more dependable short game clubs available for beginning golfers. Although some golfers may find this a bit shallow and prefer performance over price, the club does admirably at getting the ball into the air with a high rate of spin.

For beginning golfers, the number one mistake that is typically made when facing a short shot like a chip or a pitch is hitting behind the golf ball and creating a weak pop-up or dribble. Clubs like the FP4 Wedge are designed to alleviate that issue.

Completely legal, the FP4 is designed with a forward-leaning shaft to promote the stance the company believes the club needs to be played with to be the most effective. Please make no mistake, it is a club that demands exaggeration in terms of stance and swing, but it does help the beginning golfer become more consistent with their short game.

We wouldn’t advise everyone to get the FP4, but for beginning golfers, the wedge is worth the look as it does as advertised by creating dependable contact that the inexperienced player can depend upon around the green.

Made for shorter distances, the Square Strike Wedge has the look and feel of a putter, but instead of an upright clubface, the wedge has grooves and a lofted face.

Another area that separates the Square Strike from your typical wedge is the fact that it can be used with a straight-back, straight-through swing path. Remember, this isn’t a club to use from 75 yards in the fairway, but instead, it should be deployed when you need an accurate short chip shot that doesn’t have an obstacle or hazard in the way.

We must admit that while the wedge isn’t for everyone, a beginning golfer can benefit from the dependability of the club as it can stop the golfer from hitting behind the golf ball. And frankly that its purpose, in a nutshell, to provide the golfer with clean contact from just off the green.

The company has gained popularity in recent years by creating clubs that are dependable and offer the golfer solid performance for less than the cost of a green fee. We are happy to report that the PGX sand wedge meets that threshold with a shiny chrome wedge that is set against the backdrop of neon green and black.

For the beginning golfer that doesn’t expect too much from their sand wedge, they won’t be disappointed by what the Pinemeadow model brings to the table. When you first hold the PGX wedge, you’ll notice it is a bit on the heavy side and the materials used for the club aren’t exactly top of the line.

But none of that matters once you get the club onto the course because it performs well at moving through the grass and sand to create solid contact with the golf ball. If you don’t ask too much of it, the Pinemeadow PGX Wedge is a hard worker that certainly provides a solid introduction into the sand wedge game.

The sand wedge from the company is set at 56-degrees and is painstakingly milled to produce a high rate of spin, especially if you are sitting pretty in the fairway. Even from the rough, this sand wedge was a top performer, especially when you consider the affordable price.

The club does have the forged look and slimmer design, and while that isn’t an issue for mid-handicappers or experienced golfers, beginners might want a wedge with more bulk and heft.

What we really loved about the Lazrus sand wedge is the balance we felt throughout the swing. This club is one level wedge that doesn’t dig with the toe or bore down with the hosel, instead, it provides the beginner with a horizontal entry into the turf that produces a terrific looking result.

Highlighted by the computer milled face, the Smart Sole sand wedge is set a little deeper, at 58 degrees, than other wedges. But with the extended sole, the additional loft helps provide the golfer with a club that is an expert at saving your score from trouble.

If you find yourself buried deep in sand or covered with gnarly rough, the Smart Sole wedge will find a way to get you safely out of distress. 

The rounded shape of the wedge does potentially create an issue for beginning golfers that want a wedge that is more straight forward and enables the player to use a square stance. Even with the wide sole, this wedge can be played with an open or exaggerated stance.

The Cleveland Smart Sole Wedge is a dynamic performer that delivers outstanding contact on every shot, regardless of the lie or condition of the turf. This wedge is great for a beginner that doesn’t mind spending a few bucks on building a short game collection that will carry them throughout the first several years of their golfing voyage.

Grooves that created exceptional spin line the face of the RTX 4 as you’ll first notice them on the sweet spot, and then you’ll see an arcing pattern of the company’s milling on the toe as well. Both sets of grooves help grip the golf ball at impact and create outstanding spin that assists the beginner with control and finding a dependable rhythm with their short game.

The black satin finish of the RTX 4 is another highlight as it stands out from other less sophisticated wedges and gives the golfer confidence not shared by many on this list. Another home run by Cleveland, the RTX 4 wedge is a glossy and more contained wedge than their other models, but it remains highly accessible by beginning golfers.

The CBX 2 sand wedge has a hollow cavity-backed designed clubhead to render a more sizable option for the beginner looking for an advanced sand wedge that will carry them throughout the early years of their golfing journey.

Another thing that the cavity-backed design presents is a similar look and feel to the game-improvement irons that most beginning golfers typically play for additional symmetry.

The CBX 2 also has dynamic grooves that are created by the company through a patented milling process that creates a clubface that greatly enhances friction and spin.

One of the best things about a Cleveland wedge is knowing that they take the time to create a first-rate groove system to create a wonderful club for golfers of all skill levels.

The bulky look of the CBX 2 sand wedge might turn away some beginning golfers, but that would be a shame as the club is just what the doctor ordered for weekend warriors that are looking for an enhancement to their game through equipment alone.