Best Wedges for Mid Handicappers in 2021! Our Wedge Picks for Intermediate Players

Here we review more advanced wedge options to find the best wedges for mid handicappers in 2021.

Let’s face it:

Once you get well below the 20-handicap mark, you should be looking to improve your short game even more.

And for that, you need the optimal rescue clubs.

So let’s find them.

We compare the best wedges for mid handicappers available on the market right now and how to choose the perfect ones for you.

The Best Wedge Options for mid handicappers are:

At a glance: Out top picks of best wedges for mid handicappers

Wedges Buying Guide

What Are Wedges?

They are a species of irons, with the shortest shafts, heaviest club heads, and the highest loft angles. Wedges gradually became a part of the modern golf set in the 20th century, when several innovators designed customized existing short irons to perform better in difficult conditions like the sand, rough and tight lies.

They have become so essential to golfers in the modern game that an estimated 25% of all shots played in a round of golf involves wedges. They can help you get out of jail with shots from bunkers to the green to get a par score, and can even be used to hit birdies. They are the quintessential scoring clubs that any golfer worth his/her salt must learn how to wield effectively.

Different Kinds Of Wedges

There are four main types of wedges, based on their loft angles and utility:

Pitching Wedge (PW):

The oldest type of wedge, the PW is, in fact, a direct descendant of the “niblick,” a blade-style, high lofted club used for short approach shots. When loft angles were standardized, the niblick was split into two clubs, the standard 9-iron, and a higher lofted Pitching Wedge. The wedge name was adopted to match it to the more famous Sand Wedge designed by Gene Sarazen in the 1930s. The current PW has a loft angle between 44-48 and is used for approach shots within a maximum range of 125 yards.

Sand Wedge (SW):

The first club to carry the wedge label, the SW was famously designed by Gene Sarazen, who was inspired by aircraft wing flaps during a flight aboard Howard Hughes’ private plane in the 1930s.

The thicker club head and wide angled sole design became a huge success and was adopted by many manufacturers for their short irons. The Sand Wedge is lofted between 54-58 degrees and is used from sand bunkers.

Gap Wedge (GW):

When the loft angles of pitching wedges were gradually reduced by manufacturers in the 1980s and ’90s, there was a wide gap in loft between the Pitching Wedge and Sand Wedge. This meant that in particular situations you either had to over-hit with a PW or swing lightly with an SW.

Gap Wedges were designed with a loft between 49-53 degrees to bridge this “gap,” and have an option where you can strike the ball with your normal full swing. These wedges are useful, for shots within 80-100 yards from the pin. Gap wedges are also called Attack Wedges (AW).

Lob Wedge (LW):

The LW was designed in the 1980s to help golfers tackle new greens which were more challenging that traditional greens, with undulating and elevated surfaces, surrounding hazards and tougher approaches.

Lob wedges are lofted very high, between 58-64 degrees, and are ideal for high arced shots that land on the greens with minimal roll on the surface. They are very useful for close range shots within 50-60 yards from the pin.

Wedges and Skill Levels

Beginners in golf should not concern themselves with the higher lofted wedges. They should learn the wedge game by using the Pitching wedge initially, before taking up the higher lofts.

As for high handicappers, they can comfortably make do with a high-quality PW and SW. The best wedges for intermediate golfers are a PW, SW, and LW, with a GW as an optional extra. Mid handicappers with handicaps closer to 10 should ideally carry the full complement of Pitching Wedge, Gap Wedge, Sand Wedge and Lob Wedge since by that stage the short game should be their prime focus for improvement.

Regarding design, wedges do not have the level of technological innovation that other clubs sport. For instance, the best irons for mid handicappers and the best drivers for mid handicappers will have a lot of features including perimeter weighting, movable weights, adjustable lofts, cavity back designs and much more.

Loft Gapping

Lack of proper gapping defeats the whole purpose of buying a PW and SW with a GW in between. Proper gapping ensures that for each lie within 120 yards, you have a club that you use with a full swing, instead of trying risky under-powered/over-powered shots. The ideal gap between club lofts is somewhere in the vicinity of 4-6 degrees.

For average players, the wedges should have a loft gapping of 4 degrees. Better players might get more optimal performance from higher gaps, but 4 degrees is a safe number. For instance, an example of ideal loft gapping in a wedge set would be a 46 degree Pitching Wedge, with a 50 degree Gap Wedge, a 54 degree Sand Wedge, and finally, a 58 degree Lob Wedge.

Ideal Bounce And Sole Grinds

The bounce on a wedge is the design and angle at the sole of the club, the surface which regularly comes in contact with the ground surface. Lower bounce angles (between 4-6 degrees) is ideal if you have a lot of sweep shots, or play on courses with firm, links-type surfaces.

Mid bounce (7-10 degrees) is considered the jack of all trades, with enough versatility to handle different surface conditions and swing styles with aplomb. Choose this if you are unsure about your course conditions or swing. High bounce (above 10 degrees) is considered optimal for players whose swings have a tendency to dig deep into the ground, and for softer parkland-style courses.

Sole grinds are added by manufacturers to optimize a wedge for specific turf conditions and shots. These are created by machining down the sole of the club head, either at heel or toe, to achieve specific shapes. Sole grinds are advanced features, and you should get advice from your Teaching Pro or a club fitter to figure out the best sole grind for you.

For more info on bounce angles, check out this informative YouTube Video:

Our Top Picks for the Best Wedges for Mid Handicappers

IMAGE

PRODUCT

DETAILS

Titleist Vokey SM6 Tour Chrome Wedge Right 60 10 S Grind True Temper Dynamic Gold Wedge
  • One of the best wedges in terms of control, feedback and feel
  • Features options that suit every swing, lie and shot
  • Exceptional look and blade design
Callaway Golf Mack Daddy Forged Raw Brushed Slate Wedge
  • Gives you great playability on different lies in the rough
  • Comfortable feel and feedback upon address
  • Exceptional levels of spin and control
  • High-quality neon finish gives it a special look
Cleveland Golf Smart Sole 2.0 Wedge S (Men's, Right Hand, 58 degree, Steel shaft)
  • Heavy head for decent feedback and satisfying impact sound
  • Black satin finish makes them attractive
  • Easy and straightforward to use
  • Extremely lightweight and forgiving
  • Available at a reasonable price
Mizuno Golf Men's T7 White Satin Wedge Right 56-10
  • Offers a soft, satisfying feel and sound because of the boron-steel construction
  • Decent performance and spin
  • Available in different lofts for gapping
  • Great design and finish gives the wedges a stunning look
Cobra Men's King Satin V Stiff 56 Steel Wedge, Right
  • Well grooved to offer maximum control and spin
  • Decent forgiveness levels
  • Attractive design and high-quality satin finish
  • Available in several grind, bounce options and loft angles

5 Best Wedges for Mid Handicappers for 2021

1. Titleist Vokey SM6 Tour Wedges

Titleist Vokey SM6 Tour Chrome Wedge Right 60 10 S Grind True Temper Dynamic Gold WedgeCheck latest price

Pros

  • Looks like proper player wedges, with a classic blade design.
  • Provides a high level of feel and feedback, allowing you to figure out mishits with ease.
  • Best in class accuracy and control.
  • With multiple grinds, you have a wedge for every golfer and every kind of turf conditions.

Cons

  • Forgiveness takes a backseat for playability and feedback.
  • Might take a while to figure out the best wedge for your requirements.

Description

If you want the best golf wedges on the market, Titleist is always a safe bet to check out first. They make some of the best clubs in the better player segment, and the SM6 series is great for mid handicappers who need performance that is not held back by higher than necessary levels of forgiveness.

The fact that Titleist has reduced the number of sole grinds on offer for the SM6 is a good thing, making it much easier for intermediate players to pick the right club. The wedges are available in F, S, M, and K grind, in lofts of 46 to 62 degrees.

Verdict

The Tiltiest Vokey SM6 Tour Wedges offers a combination of all essential features to boost your performance and help you become a better golfer easily. You get multiple loft and grind options, great feel & feedback, optimal control, accuracy and just the right level of forgiveness. If you are looking for wedges that amplify your performance and grow with you as you transition into a better player, this are the best options available.

2. Callaway Mack Daddy Forged Wedges

Callaway Golf Mack Daddy Forged Raw Brushed Slate WedgeCheck latest price

Pros

  • Available in Nickel and Brushed Slate finish, the clubs manage to look quite good.
  • The C Sole Grind allows for some creative shots.
  • The feel and feedback are quite sharp, and the same goes for the impact sound.
  • One of the best wedges for intermediate golfers regarding performance from the grass as well as sand.

Cons

  • Probably not suitable for average players with higher handicaps close to 20.
  • No variety regarding sole grinds or bounce.

Description

Closely associated with the great Phil Mickelson, the Callaway Mack Daddy range has several hugely popular wedge ranges aimed at the golfers of all skill levels.

While the MD3 Milled Wedges cast their nets wide at even the higher handicappers, the MD Forged series is more for better players and mid handicappers who do not mind some reduced forgiveness.

The wedges are available in lofts ranging from 50 to 60 degrees, with just one bounce option per loft.

Verdict

The Callaway Mack Daddy MD3 Wedges boost your performance because of their playability and feedback capabilities. They come with a variety of grind and bounce level options to improve your playability and accuracy when getting out of hazards. If you are looking for wedges that give you many playing options, great trajectories, distance, accuracy, and control when getting out of bunkers, this is it.

3. Cleveland Smart Sole 2.0 Wedges

Cleveland Golf Smart Sole 2.0 Wedge S (Men's, Right Hand, 58 degree, Steel shaft)Check latest price

Pros

  • The black satin finish helps improve on the large game improvement looks.
  • The heavy head has surprisingly decent feedback and the impact sound is quite satisfying.
  • Extremely forgiving wedges, this is probably their strong suit.
  • Simple and straightforward to play.

Cons

  • Not much playability on offer if you need to try trick shots.
  • The “S” model has trouble handling harder and hilly turf conditions.

Description

With a premium black satin finish, the Smart Sole 2.0 wedges are great lookers as well as capable stress busters that do not punish your every mishit.

If you don’t want an uber-performing wedge as a mid-handicapper, these wide soled game improvement wedges are a good option. They may not be world-beaters when it comes to performance and playability, but we have to accept that not every golfer is looking for finesse at the expense of some generous forgiveness.

And these wedges, available in “C” and “S” models without any advanced grind or bounce options provide just that.

Verdict

The Cleveland Smart Sole 2.0 Wedges give you a combination performance and cost. They come with a lightweight construction, satin finish, and easy to use capability. If you are on a budget and intend to make the most of your money, these are the wedges you should get.

4. Mizuno T7 Wedge

Mizuno Golf Men's T7 White Satin Wedge Right 56-10Check latest price

Pros

  • The feel is soft yet satisfactory, the boron steel provides a sharp sound.
  • Offers adequate spin and decent performance.
  • One of the best wedges in golf regarding looks, with two stunning finishes.
  • Available in every loft for perfect gapping.

Cons

  • Does not have any best in class traits.
  • Not too many sole grind options.

Description

With high-grade boron steel, these forged wedges are guaranteed to have stronger and longer lasting grooves.

The wedges maintain a classic style, having a teardrop shape combined with a blade-style at the back. The loft-specific grooves have been milled using precision tools. The wedges are available in standard and high bounce options, in lofts ranging from 46 to 60 degrees.

They are available in two finish options, Mizuno’s trademark blue as well as a white satin finish.

Verdict

The Mizuno T7 Wedge is a standard wedge for golfers with improved mastery and skill on bunker shots. It comes with less performance features compared to other wedges on the market. The T7 is what you need if you dont rely on club technology, and want to take full control of your shots out of hazards and bunkers.

5. Cobra King Wedge

Cobra Men's King Satin V Stiff 56 Steel Wedge, RightCheck latest price

Pros

  • This is a fresh looking wedge in the satin finish.
  • Excellent forgiveness levels make this one of the best wedges for high handicappers as well as average players.
  • The grooves offer plenty of spin, while the control on shots is exceptional.
  • Available in several grinds as well as bounce options, and a full range of loft angles.

Cons

  • Just one finish option, that too in shiny chrome.
  • Lower handicappers might need more finesse offered by forged wedges.

Description

Cobra doesn’t release wedges very often, and their latest King series of wedges have been in the making for over two years. Their “Trusty Rusty” series have been well known in golfing circles for over three decades.

The King wedge has a slightly larger design than the Trusty series, and it should appeal to a wide range of golfers and not just low handicappers. The class standard CNC milled grooves offer an excellent level of spin for optimized ball flight.

The clubs are available in 3 different grind options, standard and high bounce settings, and a lot of lofts between 46 and 60 degrees.

Verdict

The Cobra King Wedge comes with all the features of a premium golf wedge to enhance you performance. You get optimal levels of accuracy, forgiveness, control, spin and adaptability. If you are in search of a wedge that will assist you in all shots and boost your performance when hitting your ball out of hazards, this is the right one for you.

Conclusion and Editors Choice

A shortlist of the best golf wedges for mid-handicappers has to include clubs that offer varying levels of forgiveness. Some players prefer more playability while others want more forgiveness for a relaxed game.

So, on our short list, we have tried to include some of the best golf wedges on the market with wide variations regarding forgiveness. In fact, at least a couple of our selections could very well find themselves on a list of the best wedges for high handicappers as well!

But that is all fine since there is a fair bit of overlap regarding golf player skill levels and club categories. For those who prefer more playability and finesse, Titleist Vokey SM6 wedges offer a great set of features. For those looking for extra forgiveness, it is hard not to recommend the Cleveland Smart Sole 2.0 series of wedges. That wraps up our review of mid handicapper wedges.

If you are on the hunt for other clubs as well, we also have reviews on the best drivers for mid handicappers, and the best irons for mid handicappers on our site. Do check them out!