Edited by: Jordan Fuller
Reviewed by: John MarshallLast Update:
The Rundown:
Best For Most Golfers: Cleveland CBX Wedge
“The CBX is a dependable wedge that will get you out of all types of trouble. With a wide sole and cavity-backed design, this wedge is well-balanced, smooth and easily slides through sand and deep grass. We recommend it for most golfers.”
Best For Low Handicappers: Callaway Mack Daddy Wedge
“Callaway has created a winner with the Mack Daddy, this wedge provides a rounded club face that features precise milling for fantastic spin. An outstanding sand wedge that will bring a new level of confidence to your short game.”
Best For Mid Handicappers: Cobra King Wedge
“If you are looking for a durable and versatile sand wedge that provides outrageously good spin, then the Cobra King wedge is a competent option to add to your bag.”
When looking to upgrade their golf clubs, most players will first consider putters, drivers or irons.
Wedges are often the last to be considered.
However, that shouldn’t be the case: a number of studies have shown that almost 25% of shots made by pros came from wedges, and legends like Ben Hogan even put wedges as his top 3 most important clubs.
In this article, we will give our recommendations for the best golf sand wedge currently available in the market.
Featured Recommendations
Last updated on 2020-08-15. The links are affiliate links. Product images are served from Amazon Product Advertising API.
Table of Contents
- The Rundown:
- Featured Recommendations
- Best Sand Wedges
- Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
- Questions & Answers
- What are the different types of golf shoes available and what are their features?
- How many golf wedges should I carry?
- When do I need to use a sand wedge?
- What are the advantages of using sand wedges over other wedges?
- What characteristics should I pay attention to when I buy sand wedges?
- What is the usual loft of sand wedges?
- How far can I expect to swing with a sand wedge?
- What are the different types of golf shoes available and what are their features?
Best Sand Wedges
Cleveland CBX Wedge
Best All-Around Sand Wedge
PROS
- Original CBX wedge is a creates high spin and shot-stopping power for golfers of all ages
- Enhanced groove system is first-rate and produces exceptional spin
- Wide sole allows club to move smoothly through the turf
CONS
- Cavity-backed design might leave low handicappers looking for more control
There’s nothing like a dependable sand wedge that can get you out of all types of trouble and the good people at Cleveland know how to deliver on that hope with the CBX wedge.
With a wide sole and cavity-backed design, the CBX wedge is well-balanced, smooth, and easily slides through sand and deep grass.
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If you are looking for a highlight, then allow us to guide you to v-shaped sole and cavity-backed design. If you are a golfer who plays cavity-backed irons, then Cleveland wanted to reduce the learning curve and add symmetry to your game with the CBX wedge and we’re glad to say they were successful.
Our choice for the best all-around sand wedge is crisp from the sand and strong from the rough. During our testing we noted that shots come out high and soft with excellent spin that will stop your golf balls cold on a green.
From distances of 80-100 yards, the CBX wedge performed beautifully by providing accuracy and enough strength to reach our typical distances with a 56-degree wedge.
The Cleveland CBX wedge is one magnificently well-constructed club that will undoubtedly help you shave scores and reduce your frustration around the greens.
Callaway Mack Daddy Wedge
Excellent Sand Wedge for Low Handicappers
PROS
- Rounded club face features precise milling that offers fantastic spin
- Solid throughout the swing with terrific response and feel
- Great for low handicappers that want a five-star wedge but want to save a little cash
CONS
- Thinner sole grind makes this a difficult sand wedge for beginners to utilize
Known for quite some time as a company that makes wedges worth your money, Callaway has created another winner with the Mack Daddy 3.
Featuring an impact zone with diagonal milling for maximum spin, the Callaway sand wedge provides plenty of options to help you craft a collection of short games clubs that fit your game.
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The grooves have been designed to increase spin and if you have been playing an older wedge without taking care of the grooves, then the enhancement to your game will certainly be noticeable.
From the deep grass or thick sand, the Mack Daddy 3 produces a light and soft shot helps get the ball close to your target.
The Mack Daddy 3 does come with a slimmer sole, although they do offer three different grind options to alleviate a potential problem for low handicappers. We don’t recommend that beginning golfers purchase the Mack Daddy 3 without gaining some experience because this wedge is certainly better in the hands of a trained and experienced golfer.
An outstanding sand wedge that brings a new level of confidence to your short game, the Mack Daddy 3 by Callaway is definitely worth a look by single-digit handicappers.
Cobra King Wedge
Exceptional Sand Wedge for Mid Handicappers
PROS
- Durable satin finish on the club keeps it in great shape over time
- First-rate milling process on face adds plenty of RPMs to your shot for outstanding spin
- Sharp black exterior makes the Cobra King standout in a bag
CONS
- Another cavity-backed design wedge may not be right for single-digit handicappers
If you are looking for a durable and versatile sand wedge that provides outrageously good spin, then the Cobra King wedge is definitely a competent option that you should consider adding to your bag.
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During our time with this sand wedge, we noted how the grooves on the Cobra King wedge were more shallow than your common short game club and how the face is milled to create more friction.
The more friction made at the point of impact, the higher the spin rate of the golf ball. That detail is important to have when you are looking for a wedge to help stop the ball close to the cup for easy pars.
If you are looking for a sand wedge with different grind options to help tailor your game to your skill set, Cobra has you covered as there are three to choose from including a versatile, classic and wide low selections. Each provides the golfer with different styles of turf interaction for crisper contact and better shot making.
Absolutely fetching with its satin black finish, the Cobra King sand wedge is a cut-above its competitors, offer golfers the opportunity to own a club that will lower scores and take your game to the next level.
Cleveland RTX 4 Wedge
Best All-Around Wedge for Low Handicappers
PROS
- Complete milled clubface for better spin and forgiveness
- Three sole grinds allow golfers to find the right RTX 4 for their game
- Large sweet spot keeps ball on target line and with optimum shot speed
CONS
- Thin sole makes the wedge more for advanced golfers and less for inexperienced ones
The Cleveland RTX 4 sand wedge is our choice for the best all-around wedge for low handicappers due to its advancements through design and function. The black satin finish on the RTX 4 is also very attractive, making the club one of the best-looking wedges on the market today.
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The RTX 4 features a fourth generation Rotex Face Technology system that provides the sharpest Tour-level grooves that the company makes for a wedge. From any distance, the golfer can be assured that the RTX 4 will provide the weekend warrior with a high rate of spin and outstanding accuracy.
Make no mistake, this Cleveland wedge is better served by being in the bag of an advanced golfer as the shape, design, and options available on the club will be maximized by mid to low handicappers. The thin sole of the club is also another reason why beginning golfers should look elsewhere for their sand wedge.
The Cleveland RTX 4 is our pick for the best all-around sand wedge for low handicappers because it is beautifully designed to be used in a variety of situations for maximum control and adaptability with your swing.
Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge
Best Budget Wedge for Beginning Golfers
PROS
- Hollow cavity behind clubface gives sand wedge feel of cavity-backed iron
- Wide sole allows for excellent turf interaction that creates quality contact
- Sharp tour-level grooves provides excellent spin rate on all shots
CONS
- Bulky clubhead could turn off advanced golfers who want a more forged-style look
The Cleveland CBX 2 sand wedge is another solid edition to the company’s lineup of great short game clubs. Built like a cavity-backed iron, the CBX 2 sand wedge is designed to provide balance between your long irons and your wedges.
With the CBX 2 and a cavity-backed set of irons, the golfer should register a response and feel throughout their club set.
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The rounded face of the wedge is milled from the toe through the remainder of the clubface, giving the golfer plenty of room to find the sweet spot.
The clubface features several small tiny grooves in between each deeper, larger groove via the Rote Face Technology creating the sharpest grooves from Cleveland to date.
If there is something to dislike about the CBX 2, then you’d have to look at the bulky clubhead. Although it is shaped like a cavity-backed iron, for low handicappers, the look and feel of the club may be too restrictive for their game. Since advanced golfers like more control and less help with their wedges, the CBX 2 may not be the model for them.
Our pick for the best all-around sand wedge for mid handicappers, the CBX 2 from Calloway is a weapon that will certainly improve your game around the green.
Pinemeadow Wedge
Best Budget Wedge for Beginning Golfers
PROS
- Forged-style sand wedge that don’t put a dent in your wallet with low price
- Solidly built with a heft that keeps the club low to the ground through impact
- Similar grind on all Pinemeadow wedges give golfers universal approach to short game
CONS
- For mid and low handicappers, this wedge won’t bring much improvement to your game
Pinemeadow is finding their place in the golfing world by becoming the go-to company for affordable clubs that cost less than a green fee but allow you to fill out your bag.
For less than $25, the sand wedge by Pinemeadow is a bit on the heavy side, but provides beginning golfers with the opportunity to add high-lofted clubs to their collection for little money.
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Pinemeadow wedges are fine if you understand that you are buying a club that will perform poorer than a sand wedge by one of the big-name companies such as Callaway and Cleveland. The sand wedge is heavier and, although that helps keep the club low through the impact zone, it can reduce distance and will issue much less spin.
The Pinemeadow sand wedge features a wider sole in a forged-style club that gives the appearance of a high dollar wedge. The U-groove technology on the face of the sand wedge provides adequate spin and moderate shot height.
Complaints aside, if you are in a position where you are looking to fill out your clubs and need a 56 or 60 degree wedge without using your car payment to do it, then Pinemeadow delivers solid performance for very little money.
TaylorMade Milled Hi-Toe Wedge
Best All Around Sand Wedge for Mid Handicappers
PROS
- The clubface is completely milled and grooved for spin from wherever you hit the ball
- High-toed design gives the golfer one of the largest sweet spots you’ll find on a sand wedge
- Exceptional construction that gives the golfer confidence and trust from the first swing
CONS
- Copper look and unique milling may be a turn off for more traditional golfers
The TaylorMade Hi-Toe Wedge is a unique, but innovative sand wedge that offers the golfer first-rate construction that instills a quick sense of confidence from any distance inside 10 yards.
With a crisp copper finish, the Hi-Toe wedge is a marvelous choice for those who have a little extra in their pocket to spend on upgrading their wedge game.
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One of the coolest features of any sand wedge on this list is the complete milling and groove system on the face of the Hi-Toe wedge. That’s right. The entire face is grooved to create one of the largest sweet spots on any wedge and the club offers forgiveness that is second to none.
When we were testing the wedge, we had our best golfers hit the ball off face toward the toe to see how the club responded. We were very impressed by the results as the wedge showed an incredibly high rate of spin and still maintained a distance from inside 80 yards. That’s impressive, especially if you are looking for a more forgiving sand wedge.
If you are in the market for an elite sand wedge that offers a distinctly different approach to attacking your short game, then the TaylorMade Hi-Toe wedge should be at the top of your shopping list.
Callaway Mack Daddy 5 Wedge
Best High Spin Sand Wedge for Low Handicappers
PROS
- Updated to provide more playability from different lies and situations on the course
- Tremendous feel at impact with excellent launch and soft finish
- Classic look that provides first-rate performance using modern technology
CONS
- Slim sole makes this sand wedge more for mid and low handicappers
The latest version of the Callaway Mack Daddy 5, known for its innovative JAWS groove design, is another fantastic sand wedge from the company.
One of the most pristine and gorgeously crafted short game clubs you’ll ever see, the Mack Daddy 5 has several grind options and a groove system that is second to none in creating spin and soft landings.
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The JAWS groove system is innovative and unique because it features groove-in-groove technology that imparts more spin than any previous Mack Daddy wedge for additional precision and control around the greens. The groove-in-groove act as a type of teeth that grip the surface of the golf ball and really amplify its spin rate with solid contact.
The grind options are numerous for the Mack Daddy 5 with the company offering five different sole grinds to choose from with differing degrees of bounce to each style. The great thing about this sand wedge is that there are versions for players of all skill levels, although the slimmer sole does make the club more ideal for mid and low handicappers.
An outstanding sand wedge that is versatile and adept around the greens, the Callaway Mack Daddy 5 will certainly exceed your expectations.
TaylorMade MG2 Wedge
Luxury Sand Wedge for Low Handicappers
PROS
- TPU insert provides with vibration dampening and creates incredible feel at impact
- Precision-milled face increases spin, accuracy and response
- Awesome look that standouts with the black finish and milled sole
CONS
- Expensive sand wedge that is marketed to serious players
TaylorMade is pushing the envelope with their latest wedge creation, the MG2. With a distinct look, the MG2 has an improved groove system, a dampening insert to help feel and response, and a milled sole that dramatically helps with turf interaction.
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One of the more unique innovations that we’ve ever seen in a club is TaylorMade’s Raw Face Technology. Starting with the impact zone of the face, the club is milled with a focus on maximizing spin with a groove system that is unlike any other that we’ve seen.
During our testing, our better golfers seemed to respond the most to the MG2. They loved the accelerated spin rate and performance after impact. The moderate height on shots is consistent and the low handicappers in our test group couldn’t stop raving about how fun the wedge is to play.
Other features worth noting include the TPU Insert behind the clubface that helps dampen vibration and improves feel. Also, the sole of the club is also milled to improve turf interaction by allowing the club to effortlessly push aside debris on the course to increase consistency.
An exceptional wedge for advanced golfers, the TaylorMade MG2 sand wedge is a phenomenal addition to the short game market.
c3i Wedge
Best All Around Wedge for Beginning Golfers
PROS
- Straightforward sand wedge that is designed to help beginners get ball out of trouble
- Can be used with square stance for easy application around the greens
- Super wide sole allows golfers to slide through turf with simplicity
CONS
- Can’t be used with open stance and is strictly for beginners
The c3i wedge is one handy club around the greens if you are frustrated and struggling with your short game. Whether it be out of the bunker or from the rough, the ability to get the ball cleanly out of these problems areas is something that all beginning golfers want to do with consistency.
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The c3i wedge comes with some caveats that make it usable only for inexperienced golfers. First, the club is best used with a square stance without room for adaptability.
This club is made to help a stuck golfer get over the hump when it comes to sand and rough play and we’re happy to report that it does both very well.
An extra wide sole is the highlight here as it keeps the club moving through the impact zone without snagging or catching. The build of the club isn’t exceptional as the wedge is mass produced with little in the way of sophistication, but that doesn’t mean it can be useful if you are a beginning golfer to get you to the next level.
Great for the inexperienced golfer, the C3i sand wedge knocks away the confusion of how to play shots off the green and provides a straightforward method to the golfer to follow for benefits that are easy to see after each successful shot.
Testing Protocol & Criteria Used For Evaluation
Criteria #1 – Spin
In a sand wedge, spin is everything. The club is specially made to provide the golfer with the spin and softness necessary to stop the ball on the green with accuracy. This feature comes from the friction made between the surface of the golf ball and the grooves and milling of the clubface.
Low handicappers want sand wedges with high spin rates because that determines shot height and the ability to hit beyond the cup and slide it back to the hole. Other less-skilled golfers need spin to help slow down their game.
Criteria #2 – Shot Height
It may seem weird to consider shot height with a club that you use from inside 25-50 yards, but when you need more, say a shot from 80-100 yards, a sand wedge provides a useful option that allows for spin and stopping power.
Knowing how the club provides height to each shot allows you to determine if this is the club for your game. Perhaps, you would rather have a wedge that has a moderate flight arc over a tall one that drops the ball down on the green. This reasoning is why knowing the shot height is so important.
Criteria #3: Response
A well-made sand wedge is going to provide response at the point of impact. After building up experience with a club, you may find that you can immediately gauge the quality of a shot from the moment the ball meets the face, and having that understanding of a club’s response, helps a golfer maintain a rhythm throughout their round.
A club’s response can also be quantified by how the club creates a result that is based on your style of play. Are you looking for more spin? Then, the answer will be determined by how the club responds when you intentionally create a stance and swing path to deliver more spin on a shot.
Criteria #4: Feel
Feel is graded by how the club feels at address and throughout the swing, including as the club passes through the impact zone. Confidence and trust are created by how the sand wedge feels at all times.
If the club delivers poor shots, does the golfer continue to trust the club? It is doubtful. So during our evaluations, we are looking at how the club presents itself from the point of gripping the club to the moment we finish our follow-through.
When you are gauging the feel of a club, it is wise to create your set of expectations that the wedge must meet to gain your trust.
Criteria #5: Construction
Another area that you should focus on when buying a sand wedge is how well constructed the club is compared to others. Areas of the club you should inspect are the shaft, the clubhead, and the hosel where the two pieces meet.
After your inspection, take the club by the grip and feel how solidly built the club is with your hands. Solid construction dictates the club doesn’t feel flimsy or out of balance. Going with your instinct about how a club first feels is a solid one to have confidence in because you want to trust all of your clubs when you first hit the course.
Questions & Answers
What are the different types of golf shoes available and what are their features?
There are generally four different types of golf wedges:
The Pitching Wedge (PW)
The most common wedge, mainly because it’s often included in an iron set. Typically, the loft angle of a pitching wedge is around 44 to 48 degrees and the bounce angle is around 2 to 5 degrees.
Primarily, the pitching wedges are used for longer chip shots, including long shots into the greens.
In modern golf, pitching wedges tend to have lower loft angles, which are intended to complement the current trend for longer-hitting irons. To choose your pitching wedge, make sure that the loft angle is not too far apart from your irons.
The Sand Wedge (SW)
The topic of our discussion today. When it was first invented, the sand wedge was designed for shots on the sand bunkers, hence the name. Characterized by a heavier and wider sole design, and high bounce and loft angle.
Typically sand wedges have a loft angle of around 54 to 58 degrees and bounce angle of 10 to 16 degrees.
For quite a long time in golf history, the sand wedge is the highest lofted of all club and is the bread and butter club for chips and bunker shots. Nowadays, however, they are more versatile, partly because of the introduction of the lob wedges.
In this article, we’ll show you how to pick the best golf sand wedges.
Gap Wedge (GW)
As the name may suggest, the gap wedge is designed to fill the gap between the pitching wedge and the sand wedge.
Sometimes also called utility wedge (UW), or attack wedge (AQ).
Being a gap wedge, you can expect that the loft angle is above that of the pitching wedge, but below that of the sand wedge, thus, around 50 to 53 degrees.
The same thing will be found regarding the bounce angle, around 5 to 10 degrees, although some specialty gap wedges can have up to 12-degrees of bounce.
Commonly used to make a fuller shot to bridge a distance gap, but sometimes can be used to add more variety for pitches around the green. Typically, you won’t use it for longer chips.
Lob Wedge (GW)
A relatively new wedge design, and now is the highest both in loft and bounce angle.
Typically, the loft angle is around 60 to 64 degrees, which is the highest among all wedges today. On the other hand, the bounce angle on the lob wedges is the lowest, sometimes as low as 0 degrees, to enhance their precision.
Those features will produce more flight trajectory and spin, making the lob wedges ideal for chip shots, bunker shots, and flop shots.
How many golf wedges should I carry?
The answer to this question will vary depending on your current skill level, and many other factors. Considering you can only carry a maximum of 14 different clubs, will carrying all 4 wedges be worth it?
At the very least, most players will carry a pitching wedge, which is often included when they buy an iron set. The gap wedges are increasingly important for modern golf plays and should be considered as your second wedge.
How about the other two, and especially our discussion focus today, the sand wedge?
Let’s look at how the pros play: Rory McIlroy, Patrick Reed, Bryson DeChambeau, and Paul Casey are carrying all four wedges. On the other hand, there are those who are carrying only three, such as Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, and Jason Day.
Here are the common wedge systems you should consider:
- Two wedges with a pitching wedge and sand wedge
- Three wedges with a pitching wedge, gap wedge, and lob wedge, take notes that using the lob wedge for bunker shots is significantly harder over the sand wedge
- All four wedges
Here at Golf Influence, we thrive on only reviewing the best equipment – that is why we will show you the best wedges currently in the market.
When do I need to use a sand wedge?
The bounce angle is designed to literally bounce off to soft sands, hence the sand bunker is especially useful for bunker shots. You can also use it when the ball lies on thick grass or muddy grounds because it can bounce to the surface, and the angled sole will
The sand wedge, however, is a very versatile club, and you can use it anywhere from fairway to the green, as long the ball is not sitting on a hard ground or other firm surfaces.
What are the advantages of using sand wedges over other wedges?
The main benefit of the sand wedge is the high bounce, which differentiates the club from other wedges and irons. The high bounce accomplishes three things:
- The head is heavier due to the bounce design, and thus moving the center of gravity low and forward for higher flight trajectory
- More flexibility to address the ball, allowing the player to perfectly line the ball in the center because the leading edge of the sole is lifted off the ground
- The angled sole (the bounce angle) allows the club to bounce off soft sand, thick grass, or muddy ground, allowing it to be ideal for bunker shots or similar shots to bring back the ball to the greens.
The overall design makes the sand wedge more versatile than the other wedges. They are also shorter compared to other clubs, which in turn will make it easier for golfers to put more spin.
What characteristics should I pay attention to when I buy sand wedges?
First things first, answering this question will depend on the condition of the golf course you frequent.
Depending on the condition of the golf course:
- More shallow sand conditions: If you regularly play with more shallow sand conditions, then you will generally need a shallower sole, moderate bounce angle of around 7 to 11 degrees, and a swing weight of around D-5 to D-8. This type will also work well from the fairway green.
- Grainy and loose sands: On the other hand, if you regularly play in grainy yet loose sands (think of a gravel), you will need more bounce angle of 12 to 15 degrees, wider sole and generally more swing weight of D-5 to E-0.
- Powdery sands with traps: Lastly, if you play in powdery sands with a lot of buried traps and lies, you will need even more bounce angle of 16-20 degrees, even wider sole, and heavier weight of D-7 to E-2.
What if you change courses frequently? The well-rounded choice will be a medium to wide sole, a moderate bounce of around 12 to 15 degrees, and D-5 to E-0 swing weight.
What is the usual loft of sand wedges?
Typically the usual loft of sand wedges is around 54 to 58 degrees, although some can go up to 60 degrees and up. Choosing your loft angle will depend on the loft of other wedges and irons, try to not make it too far to each other.
How far can I expect to swing with a sand wedge?
Most skilled players with decent swing speed can achieve 80-110 yards of distance.
Of course, it will be dependent on your swing speed. Also, the sand wedge will naturally produce more spin, which in turn may suppress distance when you cannot control the spin properly.
Loft angle will, of course, affect the distance potential. Refer to this table here.
The higher your loft, generally the lower the potential distance will be, in exchange for easier lobs and chips to get out from traps and bunkers.