Most Forgiving Wedges in 2021

In this article we review easy to hit wedge options on the market to find the most forgiving wedges of 2021.

I think you’ll agree with me when I say:

It’s REALLY hard to consistently and accurately hit long shots on the fairway.

Or is it?

Well, it turns out, you can dramattically increase your shot consistency on the fairway by adding one simple club to your arsenal…

…a club that’s designed to be more forgiving and vastly increase your margin of error.

And in today’s article I’m going to show you what the most forgiving 3 wood are…and exactly how you can easily choose the best one for you.

Let’s dive in.

The Most Forgiving Wedge Options are:

At a glance: Out top picks of most forgiving wedges

Wedge Buying Guide

Types of Wedges

Wedges are a variety of specialized irons, with the shortest shafts and highest loft angles, usually in the 44-64 degree range. Those high loft angles make the ball jump high in the air on contact, making lobs ideal near the green, close to tree lines, and in rough lies like inside sand bunkers and even shallow water. Wedges are divided into four types based on their lofts:

Pitching Wedges (PW)

Pitching Wedges (PW) have a loft range between 44 and 49 degrees and can hit the ball to a maximum distance of 125 yards in the hands of an average golfer. The PW is considered the starter wedge since it is the easiest to master for beginners.

Gap Wedges (GW)

Gap Wedges (GW) are lofted between 50 to 54 degrees and was designed to cover the gaps between Pitching Wedges and Sand Wedges when manufacturers started reducing the lofts of Pitching wedges. They are also called attack wedges (AW). In the hands of mid-handicappers, GW can attain a top range of 100 yards.

Sand Wedges (SW)

Sand Wedges (SW) are next in loft progression with angles between 54 to 58 degrees. Armed with a heavier club head which can power through sand and thick grass, these wedges get the ball to pop high into the air while minimizing any contact to nearby obstructions. With the high launch angle, the ball also tends to spin less, ensuring that there is minimal surface roll after landing on the green. SW also have a maximum range of around 100 yards.

Lob Wedges (LW)

Lob Wedge (LW) are the highest lofted wedges with a loft range between 50-65 degrees or more. With the steepest trajectories and softest possible landings, shots with these wedges are ideal to avoid any obstacles that block your path to the green, like steep hillocks or even trees.

Wedge Loft And Gapping Guide

The loft describes the angle between the face of the wedge and the vertical line of the shaft. The degree determines ball trajectory and distance range on shots.

Gapping is the difference in loft angles between individual clubs in your set.

According to experts, uneven gapping between clubs is highly undesirable and should be avoided for optimal play. The ideal gap between clubs is thought to be between 4-6 degrees, according to none other than wedge specialist Sam Vokey. If you have a PW at 44 degrees, get a GW with 48 degrees, SW with 52 degrees and so on. With that gapping, you have all the distances and lies covered.

Bounce and Course Conditions

Bounce is the term for a part of the wedge, located at the bottom of the club head. This is the part that comes in direct contact with the ground, hence the term “bounce.” The term is used commonly to refer to the bounce angle, which is the angle at which the clubhead rests on the surface when held vertical. If a club head digs into the ground during your swing, it has a very adverse effect on your momentum and can result in poor contact with the ball. The bounce of a wedge is designed to minimize the chance of negative contact with the turf or sand. There are three categories of bounce angles commonly found on wedges:

Low Bounce & Mid Bounce

Low Bounce is an angle between 4 to 6 degrees. These wedges are suitable for links courses with firm turfs. They are also ideal if your course has chunky and coarse sand or even bunkers with very little sand in them. Players who tend to sweep the ball will get better results with low bounce wedges.

Mid Bounce

Mid Bounce is considered to be between 7 and 10 degrees. If you are unsure which bounce to opt for, this is the safest choice. It is versatile and can handle different swings and turf conditions.

High Bounce

High Bounce is anything above 10 degrees of loft at the bounce. Get these if you consistently find your wedge swings digging deep into the turf. These wedges are better suited for parkland courses which have softer turf. They also perform well in bunkers with a lot of fine sand.

Sole Grinds

Since wedges have a general tendency to come into regular contact with the turf, manufacturers try different methods to improve their performance on the turf. One of the most common methods is to grind away additional material from the sole of the club, either at the heel or toe, to improve overall workability in different lies.

Sole grinds change the way the club face sits at address, so the ideal choice for you is entirely dependent on your swing style and local conditions. Since these modifications also have an effect on club bounce, there are some performance trade-offs involved. If you are a beginner, the wisest and safest option is to consult a professional or club fitter at your local course to figure out the optimal setup for you.

Wedges Selection Guide

If you are a rank beginner, a PW is all that you need for the moment. And most iron sets come bundled with at least a PW, or a PW-SW combination, which should suit the starter golfer for short term. Once you are a bit more proficient in the game and find your handicap under 25, it’s time to start thinking about getting a gap wedge and lob wedge.

Shaft and Finish Options

Wedges only come in steel shafts, unless we are talking about graphite shafted iron sets. But those are usually aimed at senior golfers, so steel should suit everyone else. Stiffer shafts are preferred for wedges since accuracy and control are more important than swing speeds inside the 100 yards range.

Finish preferences are entirely subjective and determined by individual taste. If you want longevity, chrome and nickel finishes are what you need. If you prefer better looks, dark finishes are preferable, though they do degrade/wear off faster. Unplated or raw finishes have a minimal performance upgrade that kicks in over time as increased rust improves the spin levels somewhat.

Check out this YouTube video to learn some tips about hitting wedges, from none other than the legendary Butch Harmon:

Our Top Picks for Most Forgiving Wedges

IMAGE

PRODUCT

DETAILS

TaylorMade Golf Milled Grind Satin Nickel Chrome Finish Wedge Standard Bounce 56.12 Right Hand Stiff, SW
  • Light, comfortable and forgiving even in difficult hazards
  • Available in many finish options including bronze, antique, satin, nickel or chrome
  • Thoughtful groove design improves spin and launch out of bunkers
  • Available in all bounce versions- high, standard and low
  • High quality classic design and finish makes it look great
Mizuno Golf Men's S5 Blue Ion Wedge Steel 54-12 Wedge, Right
  • High quality Carbon-Steel construction
  • Available in 6 lofts between 50-60, which makes it suitable for beginners Enlarged club head and face gives you extra forgiveness
  • Great feel and feedback upon address
  • Blue sapphire finish makes it one of the best looking wedges available
Cleveland Golf Men's RTX-3 VMG Wedge, Right Hand, Steel, 56 Degree, Black Satin
  • Designed with a RTX groove face that provides high levels of spin
  • Available in both blade and cavity back designs making it suitable for both high and low handicappers
  • Exceptional feel and feedback on both blade and cavity-back wedges
  • High-quality Tour Black finish for durability
Callaway Men's Mack Daddy 3 Black S-Grind Wedge, Right Hand (S300, 60-09)
  • Offers exceptional playability on different lies in the rough
  • Comfortable feedback and feel on impact
  • Great spin control
  • High-quality neon finish gives it a special look
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

5 Most Forgiving Wedge for 2021

1. TaylorMade Milled Grind Wedges

TaylorMade Golf Milled Grind Satin Nickel Chrome Finish Wedge Standard Bounce 56.12 Right Hand Stiff, SWCheck latest price

Pros

  • Looks great with a classic blade design and different high quality finish options.
  • Available in a wide variety of grind and loft options.
  • Computer milled for precise manufacturing.
  • High quality groove design improves spin and launch capabilities.

Cons

  • May not be suitable for high handicappers.
  • You might need the advice of a club fitter to find the best suitable configuration.

Description

TaylorMade is well known for their high-quality wedges aimed more towards mid handicappers and better players, based on input from Tour Pros. The Milled Grind series is the replacement for the Tour Preferred line, considered by many to be one of the best golf wedges for mid-handicappers.

The newer edition wedges are machine milled for more consistency compared to hand milled clubs. The wedges are available in low, standard and high bounce versions, with the most loft angles in the low and standard bounces. The available finish options include, satin, nickel, chrome, and antique bronze.

Verdict

The TaylorMade Milled Grind Wedges are manufactured to offer the best performance in terms of forgiveness, bounce capabilities, lightweight construction, and computer-milled for precise manufacturing. It is most suitable for mid and low handicappers because of the configuration. If you are looking for the most forgiving wedges to help you get your ball out of hazards easily, these are the wedges for you.

2. Mizuno Golf S5 Wedge

Mizuno Golf Men's S5 Blue Ion Wedge Steel 54-12 Wedge, RightCheck latest price

Pros

  • The blue finish is especially handsome looking, and only improves as it wears down.
  • Big club head. and face provides extra forgiveness, making this one of thebest wedges for high handicappers.
  • Decent distance control, with great feel and feedback.
  • Easy to use from all kinds of lies, with variable grind options providing optimal impact.

Cons

  • Better players might need more bounce and grind options.
  • Spin is not on the high side, which is again more of an issue for mid handicappers and better players.

Description

Perhaps the most striking thing about the Mizuno wedges are their finishes, especially the sapphire blue version. Beneath than skin lies a forged wedge made from high-grade carbon steel. Though you don’t get different bounce levels to choose from, that is not a bad thing in a club that aspires to be one of the best golf wedges for beginners and high handicappers. You do get variable sole grinds depending on the loft, with lower lofted wedges having smaller heel and toe grinds. You get 6 lofts between 50 and 60 degrees, covering most angles that beginner players might need to cover.

Verdict

The Mizuno Golf S5 Wedge is both good-looking and endowed with features of a premium wedge. With high-grade carbon steel construction and a variety of lofts to choose from, the Mizuno is suitable for beginners and high handicappers. A variety of sole grinds are available on each of the 6 lofts between 50 and 60 degrees. This is the wedge to go for if you-are on a budget, looking for a wedge that performs beyond expectation and want to get value for your money.

3. Cleveland Golf Men's RTX-3 VMG Wedge

Cleveland Golf Men's RTX-3 VMG Wedge, Right Hand, Steel, 56 Degree, Black SatinCheck latest price

Pros

  • Available in both blade and cavity back designs, the latter is one of the best golf wedges for beginners.
  • The RTX groove face provides exceptional levels of spin.
  • Feedback and feel remain excellent, both on the blade and cavity back wedges.
  • The Tour Black finish is exceptionally long lasting, compared to similar wedges from other manufacturers.

Cons

  • Some golfers are put off by the higher spin levels.
  • Some high handicappers find the club face to be a bit too narrow.

Description

The 588 series of wedges has long held a reputation for being among the best golf wedges since at least 1988, the year they were released. The RTX series is a successor to this legendary series, and aspires to be the best golf wedges on the market. To this end they have the specially milled Rotex face, whose grooves remain identical across all loft options and club head. sizes. These high quality grooves improve overall spin levels and launch capabilities. The RTX series is available in a wide range of lofts, from 46 degrees all the way to 64, with no less than 8 lofts ion between. You also have standard, V Sole and wide V Full grinds to choose from.

Verdict

The Cleveland Golf Men’s RTX-3 VMG Wedges are available in cavity-back and blade options suitable for beginners and advanced golfers looking for more spin. The club’s groove face increases ball spin significantly, which is a good thing when getting out of hazards. If ball spin is what you are after, the Cleveland RTX-3 is a worthy option.

4. Callaway Mack Daddy MD3 Wedges

Callaway Men's Mack Daddy 3 Black S-Grind Wedge, Right Hand (S300, 60-09)Check latest price

Pros

  • The neon holes give a special look, especially in the black finish.
  • Excellent spin levels offer great control on shot trajectories and distance.
  • Great playability on all lies, especially in the rough.
  • Decent feel and feedback on impact make these one of the best golf wedges on the market at present.

Cons

  • Probably not one of the best wedges in golf for beginners.
  • Too many options in grinds and bounce levels can confuse some buyers.

Description

The Mack Daddy was a term coined by the great Phil Mickelson to describe a new, high spin groove design created by Roger Cleveland several years ago. Cleveland is the designer of wedges at Callaway these days and the MD 3 sports that same groove with a wider sole and newer grind options. The design has been kept lightweight by the removal of metal from three holes drilled at the back of the club head. Those 3 holes are visually striking and give the wedges a unique identity, while helping improve control and trajectory. This is overall one of the best golf wedges for mid-handicappers. It is available in eight loft options, with 3 sole grinds to choose from.

Verdict

The Callaway Mack Daddy MD3 Wedges offers great performance because of their playability and feedback capabilities. You get a range of grind and bounce level options to improve your playability and overall performance when getting out of hazards. If you are looking for wedges that give you many playing options, optimum trajectories, distance and control when getting out of bunkers, this is it.

5. Titleist Vokey SM6 Tour Wedges

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

Pros

  • Probably the best golf wedges ever in terms of looks, with a classic blade design.
  • Best in class feel and feedback.
  • Top marks for control as well, one of the best golf wedges ever in that aspect.
  • Options to suit every conceivable type of lie, swing ans shot style.

Cons

  • Can be intimidating for weaker players.
  • Not the most forgiving wedges ever.

Description

Titleist have a devoted fan following among mid handicappers and aspiring better players, thanks to the emphasis they put on high level performance. Forgiveness is usually a secondary concern, and they tend to no belong in the category of the best wedges for high handicappers. But Titleist have simplified things somewhat with the SM6 range, streamlining their grind options. But there are still a fair few to choose from, four in all, and the design is still a blade style more suited for better players. The lofts range from 46 to 60 degrees.

Verdict

The Titleist Vokey SM6 Tour Wedges come with features that help you transition into a better player, especially mid handicappers transitioning into low handicappers. Although forgiveness is secondary, you get increased control, accuracy and overall performance. If you are looking for wedges that will offer you optimal rescue as you transition into a better player, this is a worthy option.

Conclusion and Editors Choice

Our shortlist includes some of the best golf wedges in 2021. With regards to overall performance, blade style tour wedges like the Titleist SM6 and TaylorMade Milled Grind wedges are probably the best wedges in golf at the moment. But they sacrifice some forgiveness in favor of accuracy and control. But forgiveness is important for beginners and high handicappers, and our vote in that vital aspect surely has to go to the Mizuno Golf S5 wedge, with its large club heads and generous sweet spots.

The cavity back versions of the Cleveland RTX series also offer excellent performance for the weaker golfers looking for their first wedge upgrade or purchase.