How to find the best wedges for mid handicapper? It is a double-edged sword that there is a never-ending list of club options. The availability seems to give you more chance of finding the most compatible wedge.
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But in reality, the mere job of narrowing down the available choices can already mess with your head significantly, especially for the inexperienced.
Understanding the common obstacle in the decision-making process, I will provide you with our top ten wedges recommendation for mid handicappers. Now, let’s jump right into the post, shall we?
Contents
Best Wedges For Mid Handicappers Review
Cleveland Golf CBX 2 Wedge
The brand Cleveland must have rang a bell for anyone who has dabbled in and out of the golf world. And its CBX 2 wedge is no exception when it comes to the overall quality.
Compared to the rest, the CBX 2 is the best contender in grind construction for mid handicappers. For the inexperienced, the wedge grind refers to the manipulation done on the wedge sole.
The more sole material is removed, the more consistent the feel on the turf will be. Therefore, the CBX 2’s hollow back sole will offer the golfers the most dependable ball shots with optimized contact.
To add to the effect, the product’s V-shaped sole can tremendously enhance the performance. Typically, the swing speed that most mid-handicapped golfers can perform falls to the moderate range.
Therefore, by opting for the V-shaped sol, you will achieve the cleanest contact when kicking the golf ball from a neutral position and an average speed.
On the negative side, the price you have to pay for the product is entirely above the average, mostly due to all the modern technology applied in the construction.
Pros:
- A wide range of loft angle options
- Suitable for both lefties and righties
- Providing amazing turf contact
- High-quality sole design
Con:
- On the expensive side
Autopilot Square Strike Wedge
For intermediate golfers, checking out the Square Strike Wedge from Autopilot can do you some good. This buddy is one of the best options for mid-handicappers who want to improve their shot accuracy.
Being at the halfway point on your path to become a pro can be extremely frustrating. You might know all the basic stuff but can not fully control the ball flight for the error-free and bang-on performance.
If that’s your current struggle, this product from Autopilot, with its centered COG and high MOI construction, can be your best companion on your way to becoming a master.
The word COG stands for “center-of-gravity”, and MOI stands for “moment-of-inertia”. Since the mass is moved from the head to the toe, there are some changes in the wedge’s COG and MOI.
Precisely, the COG is located at the clubface’s center and marked by a vertical line. At the same time, the MOI is lifted to a higher place than typical wedges.
Thanks to these adjustments, this wedge is well-prepared to give the most precise, dead-on ball flight on even the most skillful swings or complicated contact.
Another worth-mentioning feature that gives the club its forgiveness and precision is the anti-rotational weighting.
The brand situates the blade at 90 degrees to the target lines. It eliminates the unsteadiness when the wedge head is exposed to the golf ball while polishing up the shots.
However, this wedge’s grip doesn’t come with a covering cloth or upholstery, which can put some golfers with sweaty hands off.
Pros:
- Offer utmost accuracy
- Adopting new technology
- Easy swing motion
- Reduces wasted strokes
Con:
- No upholstery for the grips
Autopilot C3i Wedge
With the smart construction and the reputation it has made for itself internationally, this second wedge from Autopilot is a must-check if you are solely on the market to find the best sand wedges.
When it comes to the available options, the brand provides you with three loft angles. Depending on the playing style and personal preference, you can opt for the 55°, 59°, or the 65°-degree wedges.
From the very first glance, you can see for yourself its noticeable width. The wide-body works side by side with the auto-glide sole to help the wedge cut through the sand without skipping or digging problems.
The C3i model is also engineered to have an additional curve and a sloping leading edge. To the inexperienced eyes, this design might only seem like they are there purely for aesthetic purpose.
Be it as it may, the design plays such an essential role in reducing the club’s exposure to the ground, therefore cleaning up the interaction significantly.
The hosel and heel are also perfectly shaped to minimize the possibility of snagging, especially in a deep rough surface like sand.
On the downside, this product isn’t the best option if you are a beginner since the wedge design might require some experience and practicing time.
Pros:
- No skipping and digging
- Provide clean contact
- Legal for tournament play
- Reasonable price
Con:
- Not starter-friendly
Cleveland Golf Men’s RTX 4 Wedge
If the wedge’s versatility comes first in your priority list, definitely give this RTX 4 model from Cleveland a shot. It is considered the most diverse wedge on the list in terms of available features.
Every brand will have their ways to bring some specific strengths out of their products. But not many manufacturers can produce something as versatile as this buddy.
Cleveland provides all three levels of bounce, which are low bounce, mid bounce, high bounce. Also, you can choose between four loft angles (50°, 52°, 58°, 60°) and select the compatible hand orientation.
That aside, speaking of the available features, there is a lot to talk about this wedge.
The first noteworthy feature is the inclusion of the Rotex face technology. The brand claims this product has, by far, the most aggressive face milling and more accurate laser milling for more spin when compared to the older versions.
Besides that, you can not skip its high-tech feel balancing technology. There is a firm support system placed at the back loft area for accuracy in a wide range of distances while enhancing the feel and consistency.
However, this product falls on the expensive side, which is the common con for new releases like this RTX 4 model.
Pros:
- Versatile
- Add more forgiveness
- Lots of sole grind options
- Provide amazing feel
Con:
- Considerably high-priced
Cleveland Golf Men’s Smart Sole 3 Wedge S
Up to this point, it comes as no surprise that this is the third wedge from Cleveland. This model focuses more on enhancing the feel to give mid-handicappers the best experience on any turf courses.
In order to achieve the desired feel when the golf ball is in contact with the wedge, the brand has done some tricks on the mass distribution.
The mass is placed at the toe area, so you can notice the COG spot near the center of the clubface. This design is the ideal configuration to optimize the feel on the turf and lessen the shot dispersion.
Additionally, understanding that the sole is a key factor in determining the efficiency when the wedge interacts with the turf, Cleveland has made some smart moves.
Specifically, the product’s sole is the combination of three tiers firmly stuffed on one another, giving the club a cleaner, sharper contact with the green.
This buddy also bears a strong resemblance to other Cleveland’s clubs. It is well-built with the signature Feel Balancing Technology that adds to the wedge consistency even when performing intricate golf moves.
However, there are still some complaints surrounding its bounce. Some say that the bounce is considerably high for a standard sand wedge.
Pros:
- Ultimate feel on green
- Easily get the ball off the bunker
- Easy to use
- Optimized club specs
Con:
- The bounce is considerably high
Pinemeadow Wedge
With its easy-to-use yet durable construction, this buddy from Pinemeadow is everything you could ask for in a practice wedge, whether you are a mid-handicapper or high-handicapper.
There are five loft angles that you can pick from. It includes 5 versions, three of which are some common angles like the 52°, 56°, 60° and 64°.
The brand also offers a 68°-degree loft. This high-loft version is rarely found in most wedges in the market, while it is the secret weapon to practice high-arc shots with.
Material wise, the club is constructed of top-rated, heavy-duty Pinemeadow steel from Apollo(R). A well-built 125-gram shaft with a low to mid kick point will serve your practice session effectively in any climate conditions without premature damage or paint peeling.
What’s more, this club is engineered to have a large face area. A larger wedge face is more versatile and can significantly increase the accuracy rate when you practice new playing styles for the first time.
Also, by providing the users with a wider contact area, the wedge helps to maximize the forgiveness in every shot.
However, due to the lack of technology applications and considerably simple design, this wedge might not be the best choice for advanced golfers or low-handicappers.
Pros:
- Wide range of loft options
- Perfect for practicing purpose
- Low-priced wedge
- Large face area
Con:
- Not for pro golfers
Pinemeadow Golf PGX Wedge
Designed with a sporty theme accentuated by the bold and trendy neon-green color, this Pinemeadow PGX is the ideal option for any young mid-handicappers who craves some statement for the golf set.
Compared to the standard Pinemeadow wedge, the brand provides less loft options on this PGX model, which is only three.
We have the 52° version for more ball rolls, the 56° version to rescue the ball from the deep-rough sand, and lastly the 60° version for high-arc, long shots.
Regarding this model’s main features, I can say that it is tailor-made for any mid-handicap golfers who are looking high and low for a forgiving wedge.
To be honest, there is no such thing as an ultimate checklist to figure out which product gives the most forgiveness and accurate shots.
However, by having a closer look at the sole design, you can still tell a lot about the product. The wider the contact area is, the more forgiveness a wedge tends to provide.
Knowing that crucial factor, the brand pays a lot of attention to the PGX sole area. Every wedge is equipped with a large bottom sole to broaden the exposure surface, hence improving the precision of the shots.
However, this model is specifically made for left-handed golf players. If you are right-handed, you might have to search somewhere else.
Pros:
- High-quality material
- Ultimate forgiveness
- Sharp leading edge
- Large sole
Con:
- Not for the righties
Callaway Golf Mack Daddy 5 JAWS Wedge
For any mid-handicapper who is dead set on getting better at his golf skills professionally, investing in a high-end, premium club like the Callaway Mack Daddy 5 is highly recommended.
The main feature that puts this wedge on the high-end side of the equation is its application of the JAWs groove technology.
This JAWs system is engineered to optimize the sharpness level of the wedge’s milled grooves. Therefore, the unwanted friction between the club outer surface and the green is reduced to elevate the ball spin.
That aside, the brand offers a wide range of grind designs. There are five manually-made and multipurpose grinds; each grind has its own collection of loft options to satisfy the widest range of users.
Lately, the W and C wedges have been both updated, allowing the golfers to improvise on the courses for a wider variety of greenside shots.
Last but not least, the top-notch quality of the finishing coat is another reason why this wedge is the top pick for every level. The gloss-like, polished silver coat catches your eyes with only a quick glance.
Also, the 8620 mild carbon steel material is the key to ultimate feel and longevity.
Be it as it may, there are still some mixed opinions about the wedge’s weight. Some say the heaviness makes it harder to fully control the shots.
Pros:
- Excellent response
- Multiple grind options
- Give the users more control
- High-quality construction
Con:
- Heavyweight club
TaylorMade Golf 2018 Milled Grind Wedge
The Milled Grind wedge from TaylorMade deserves a place on this list merely for its ability to produce such flawless backspin. Though it is a bit on the expensive side, the benefits it offers the golfers is worth it all.
A wedge’s ability to generate good backspin largely depends on its spin production. Generally speaking, any wedge with the spin rate of above 7000rpm is already well-qualified to create a decent backspin.
With regards to the spin rate of The 2018 Milled Grind wedge, it goes way over the average range of up to 9000rpm in a standard 52-degree loft.
Thanks to the product’s impressive capacity to produce spin, you can confidently determine the ball trajectory, aim for the shot and let the club do its adjustment job.
Also, the spin reduction that usually happens when the ball rolls backward will be held in check, supporting you to give the smoothest backspin performance.
You can also notice the significant improvement in the wedge contact with multiple types of turf courses when using this buddy.
The explanation behind it is nothing else but the innovative CNC sole design. Its sole has a geometrical shape and a sharp leading edge, which is the optimal design for perfect stopping power on various surfaces.
The downside of this product is mostly related to the finishing coat’s durability. Many users have noticed signs of premature peeling and tearing after some uses.
Pros:
- Generate perfect backspin
- Lots of wedge options
- Great feel on turf
- Suitable for both righties and lefties
Con:
- The coat peels easily
LAZRUS Premium Sand Wedge
With the price that LAZRUS charges the customers for this product, it comes as no surprise that many people are held back from giving it a try. Be it as it may, this buddy is the best wedge you can find in the market for a price half as much as the rest in the list.
The common saying that “you get what you pay for” can’t be applied to this LAZRUS wedge, since it is equipped with such an inclusive package of benefits.
First of all, the wedge sole is made using the “anti-duff” technology. The sole is intentionally designed to have a thicker width, providing more stability for mid-handicappers when practicing tricky shots.
Apart from that, you will get a micro milled clubface despite the loft option you go for. This technique is mostly based on the manipulation of the clubface surface.
It is the ultimate secret to elevated spin, ball control and power consistency. If you are polishing up your skills on deep rough sand, this wedge can save your ball from the annoying sand-sinking situations.
On the minus side, the LAZRUS wedge is specifically made for right-handed golfers. However, the brand claimed that the new version for lefties will be available in 2021 January.
Pros:
- Best for the price
- Easily escape from bunkers
- Starter-friendly
- Offer great feel
Con:
- Not suitable for the lefties
How To Buy The Best Wedges For Mid Handicappers?
The Bounce
The wedge’s bounce level is determined by the angle-related correlation between the leading edge and the sole’s bottom. The longer the distance is, the better the rebound ability will be.
Low Bounce: Low-bounce wedges provide approximately 4-6 degrees of rebound. This wedge type is the ultimate choice for the sweep-style golfing on firm tuft.
It helps to get rid of all the unnecessary bounces between the ball and the golf, make your shot clean with higher accuracy.
Mid Bounce: A wedge is considered a mid-bounce wedge when the leading edge and sole angle ranges from 7 to 10 degrees. Mid bounce clubs can be played on standard-tuft courses.
This bounce degree is the most suitable option for mid handicappers since this bounce degree works best for straightforward, simple shots.
High Bounce: High-bounce wedge has a bounce degree above 10. Since high-bounce clubs give you the ultimate support, they are often used to play on indentation-prone golfing courses.
When using them on a standard course, the leading edge needs to be higher than usual, or else it will likely dig and skid into the turf.
The Wedge Type
Lob Wedge: A lob wedge has a loft angle ranging from 60 to 64 degrees. This wedge type is probably the most high-lofted club.
For that reason, this is a must-have companion if you are practicing high-arc shots over obstacles.
Look wise, lob wedges have the shortest length and the widest soles compared to the other type.
Gap Wedge: The loft angle of gap wedges is usually measured between 50 to 54 degrees.
Since this wedge type can work for both long-distance and mid-distance playing, it can be used for both high-arc, short shots and mid-arc, longer shots.
The possible hitting distance of gap wedges is longer than pitching wedges and shorter than sand wedges.
Therefore, this wedge type is called “gap” wedges since they fill in the hitting distance gap between the pitching and sand wedges,
Pitching Wedge: Pitching wedges typically have the loft angles of roughly 48 degrees.
This buddy is, hands down, the best option for mid-handicap golfers since they give the best performance within a distance of less than 125 yards.
Besides that, pitching wedges are commonly used for pitch and chip shots, since they offer lots of rebound and stability when you hit the golf ball.
Sand Wedge: As the name suggested, sand wedges give you the best shots in sandy or deep rough golf courses.
Measuring roughly about 56 degrees in loft, they are the perfect match for performing high shots and avoiding obstacles like water hazards.
The Look
The exterior design is another essential factor that is often overlooked by purchasers. It is equally important to judge the product by its look as well if you are going to buy a specific product.
The Budget
Depending on the available features as well as the overall quality, the product’s price can be variably different.
If you only purchase a club for recreational purposes and have no intention of playing golf as a professional job, then opting for any product in the mid-range is already sufficient.
FAQs
How Many Wedges Should I Carry?
As I have mentioned before, you have the option of four different wedge types, which are pitching wedges, gap wedges, sand wedges, and lob wedges.
There is no fixed rule on how many wedges you are allowed to use on the golfing courses.For that reason, you can opt for as many wedges that you desire, as long as the total club number is less than 14.
The only factor that affects the number of wedges that you should carry is your personal needs. Depending on which playing style you are familiar with, you can choose the wedge types accordingly.
What Is The Most Common Type Of Wedge?
Thanks to its versatility when dealing with different distances and playing styles, pitching wedges are considered the most commonly-used wedge.
With the loft angle of roughly 45 degrees, golfers can perform both high-arc, long-chip shots while maintaining a perfect precision.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Wedge In Your Game?
Wedges are included in any club set for a reason. Like any other clubs in the golf set, they serve the golfers in their own ways with a long list of benefits. Look wise, wedges have the highest loft.
For that reason, they are the best companion when hitting the ball from a near distance, doing chip shots, pitch shots, or dodging hazards.
Why Are The Wedge Grind An Important Consideration?
For anyone who doesn’t know, a wedge grind refers to the thickness of the wedge sole. The thicker the sole is, the more pressure is put on the club.
To reduce the pressure as much as possible while enhancing the performance, the new models have such thin wedge grinds with forgiveness and accuracy.
What Is The Significance Of The Grooves On The Wedge Head?
Professional and experienced golfers use grooves as an essential factor to determine one’s wedge maximum distance and shotmaking precision. Grooves are made in a wide range of shapes and sizes, serving different targets.
Pro golfers have a liking for sharp grooves for a wild ride on the course. On the other hand, mid handicappers prefer a sturdy, compact wedge for long-term uses.
The Bottom Line
My best wedges for mid handicappers review has eventually drawn to an end. I hope it has been a fun journey and you are qualified enough to confidently judge a wedge to figure out whether it suits you or not.
If you left the post still feeling unsure, it is fine too. It might take some time before new things can sink in. In that case, I recommend you check out the RTX 4 wedge from Cleveland, since it is the most versatile and starter-friendly product.
All things considered, I wish you luck and don’t forget to come back for my future reviews!
Further reading: Types of Wedges in Golf
Top 10 Best Golf Shoes for Wide Feet Reviews 2021