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What's the Best Wedge for Mid-Handicappers?
I get asked a lot when out around the greens by amateur golfers as well as the high handicappers hoping to get thier scores down. They ask“Hey Warren, what’s the best golf wedges for mid-handicappers?”. What the best Golf wedges for mid-handicappers are, is a question I will answer fully for you today. You and plenty other golfers are seeking out this answer.
Golf Wedges are those types of irons in golf that’s are your go-to for short-distance shots. To learn more about wedges in depth check out my types of wedges article,where you can learn more about pitching wedge, sand wedge, and much more. You will want to aim to get yourself a wedge with a good bounce and a cavity back as they can help enhance your performance.
Over the years, I have noticed that the strangest thing about the golf clubs is that people tend to talk very little about the golfers handicapped while taking a decision. For instance, low handicappers get clubs easily on the market, and the high handicappers are at an advantage because they are so many beginner-friendly clubs to choose from.
It’s often the mid-handicappers that face the real struggle. These are golfers who can shoot from the ’80s to ’90s consistently. They need to buy something that is not just forgiving but also something that is not too tough to control. They need wedges /clubs they can rely on to improve thier game, which I will outline below. Lets get you some Irons.
The Best Golf Wedge
After having personally tested fifteen different golf wedges around the greens. Some new wedges and some borrowed. Ive narrowed it down to 9 irons. However, if you would rather skip the full review and just want to find out the best wedge then wait no longer. The Best Golf Wedges for mid-handicappers is the Cleveland Golf Men’s Smart Sole 3 Wedge. This is my top wedge out of the all the wedges I reviewed. The bounce that is produced by the flange is between 0 and 10 degrees. It’s an amazing all-round wedge. This would be a awesome addition to any golfers collection. A true champion of the best Golf Wedges for mid-handicappers list. Get yourself one of these beautiful irons.
This is the best Golf wedge that I have selected for you Mid-Handicappers. You really need to add this to your wedge set. The overal design of this golf wedge reminds me of an old callaway pitching wedge I used to own. There are two chief variants to check out- the Smart Sole 3S and 3C. The 3S has a 58° angle (58 degrees), and this can also make an excellent sand wedge. If you need something for around the greens with a lower loft, then I recommend trying the 3C with 42°. It feels more solid on the greens. This can be a game-changer for those mid handicappers working on improvising their final shots. It can also work for high handicappers. The signature Smart sole with its typical wide club face is the most significant plus points. It can really help you are not a confident sand player, perfect bounce to it. If there is anything you add to your wedge set today, try and make it this beautiful peice of equipment. My personal best wedges on the market.
Features
Pros
- You get exclusive women’s wedges in this collection which are light and convenient to handle for the female golfers.Youalso get left and right options.
- Impressive short game feel gives you full control of the game.
- Load distribution is designed such that the center of gravity is closer to the clubface. This noticeably improves your accuracy.
- For enhancing the game experience, the sole has a 3-tier architecture. Making these quite superior wedges.
Cons
- These might feel a little tricky to get accurate shots for the golfers trying wedges for the first time. Dont let that put you off these wedges.
This is the second best wedges on the market today. Now close your eyes and picture a subtle little lift with amazing ball flight. If a clean hit from a sound club face and a solid lift are part of your definition of a perfect short game shot, then this wedge will supply you exactly that. It is not just the shots that feel smooth but also the club holds itself thanks to the use of this wedge best feature being the 8620 carbon steel. Without adding to the load, it gives a nice solid touch and responsive bounce. Definitley worth adding to your iron set. A decent golf club for sure. Add this one to your other wedges. It will more than likely improve your game. An excellent Gap wedge to help your short game and long game.
Features
Pros
- This is of the many durable wedges in the market, which can last like new even after several long practice sessions.
- There is a neat little shallow notch on the club head, which provides a nice contact.
- The forgiving nature of this wedges is designed to provide a solid hit with the ball.
- This wedge has intricate groves that provide a neat refinement to the trajectory, and you would also be able to work on your spin.
Cons
- This is not much of a limitation with these wedges. But I found the chrome finish to be a bit too shiny and distractive on the field, especially when you are playing out there on a sunny day. Some golfers dont get along with glare.
Taylor made are back with another golfing super machine. You get the standard, high, and low bounce variants with these wedges as well as nine bounce angles to pick from. This club is also available for both right-handers and left-hand golfers. As always, you get to explore from a variety of club grips to add to your wedge when you choose a club from Taylor Made. Not useful as a lob wedge. This club is also a winning choice for the high handicappers & amateur keen golfers. Go ahead and add it to your set and start playing. You will be able to hit the ball far and lower those scores.
Features
Pros
- There are few of the many durable wedges in the market, which can last like new even after several long practice sessions. This is another one similair to the cobra king. Good left and right options.
- Many bounce variants in these wedges.
- The forgiving nature of the design makes this part of the best wedges there is for the mid-handicap golfers.
Cons
- This is not much of a limitation with the Taylor made wedges. Excellent choice for most golfers.
These guys are back with a new offering for you mid handicappers. If you need a sand wedge that can bear rough handling and still shine in your golf club set like new, then these forged wedges can be top choices. This wedge best feature is the use of 1025 Boron carbon steel. It is the reason behind this durability. My son felt this club should have been the best wedge. I was like “not to sure about that son”. It has a large club face for solid impact upon hitting the ball.
This wedge carries the brand’s popular harmonic impact technology. For improving the strength of the strike or hit, there are quad cut grooves on this wedge. This wedge is also very handy for distance control and has left and right options. Not a bad wedge for mid handicappers to add to their wedge set. Not a bad choice for the low handicappers as well. Suitable for most golfers. This wedge is also available in left and right hand options.
Features
Pros
- This wedge gives different head shapes to different loft specs. Therefore it evens out the load and offers you better control. This wedge can easily be in the category of the best wedges I have used in a while.
- The other parameter that is tailored based on the design is the grind which helps provide you the versatility you might need in your club.
Cons
- It is hard to find a limitation with these wedges. If you really want get it, then I could state the plain looks being the only few of the negatives. But thats subjective, see if you like the looks.
Callaway are back with another offering. In terms of the grind and the groove patterns on this, the club doesn’t look like any ordinary wedges out there. It has four distinctive holes as you can see from the picture. While improving the spin, the club also helps obtain a reasonable control on the spin with each shot. The shaft on this club was designed to be light in mass to help you balance your swing and improve your handicap in the long run.
This wedge is easily still part of a group of the most versatile wedges on the market. It also comes with many bounce options. Not to bad as a sand wedge or lob wedges. A top runner up for the best golf wedges for mid-handicappers 2020 list. Low leading edge with this callaway wedge. I still like these wedges, maybe make them your next wedge?.
Features
Pros
- The unique groove-in-groove element of the design is the best trait on this club, and it delivers the competitive difference in terms of an improved spin.
- There are plenty of grind configurations to explore and help when you hit the ball.
- Loft and range combinations offered with this wedge are also pretty vast as well as bounce options.
Cons
- The matte finish exterior does look great but easily starts showing signs of wear and tear on these wedges. Scratches appear prominently on this club. Which is the main reason of the chrome finish is my pick.
The Last Four Golf Wedges for Mid-Handicappers
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Long Wearing Forged Wedges
Forged wedges for mid-handicap golfers. This used to be my favourite types of wedges on the market a few years back. It has a great club face that can hit the ball well. It also has a spin milled design which was made with a neat chrome finish that also doesn’t show scratches easily. Besides lasting for years, these also look as good as new through your use of them. The mass distribution is such that the distance of the shot becomes small with the lift made higher and straighter in flight. This hybrid comes with nice round edges at sole of the club that help make a solid connection to the ball for increased playability. Give this callaway golf wedge a try and add it to your wedge set. I know a few golfers who own this model. Add it to your set. Bareley any bounce options with this.
Features
Pros
- The clubhead weight distribution on this makes it possible to tailor the sweet spot to get the desired lift for more accurate shots. Decent center of gravity.
- There is good quality contact, which gives predictable shots. Great for beginner golfers.
Cons
- The slightly heavier load of the club is something that you might notice right when you hold it. Some might find this to be a drawback when it comes to delivering all the power to improve the swing speed.
Cleveland golf are back with another one of their great clubs. Preparing to play on a tour becomes so much more convenient for the mid-handicappers with this club and its new and improved club face design which is quite different to the previous. This 56 degree wedge is designed in a very versatile style, because of how consistently it improves the spin and the accuracy in all types of tight lies and surfaces.
You can use it as a sand wedge, or lob wedge and also great for distance control as well as bounce. Definitley worth a spot on the best golf wedges for mid-handicappers list. If you’re high handicappers, you can also try this club a try and add it to your iron set. You should be able to select different sole grinds to suit your shots with these wedges. Lets get playing golfers.
Features
Pros
- Straighter ball shots are possible with these wedges thanks to the purposefully reduced offset on the wedge.
- In terms of spin improvement, this is sure to become your best go-to wedge. It is because of the brand’s all-new Rotex Face Technology for improved groove design.
- There is a significant improvement in the control over the shots with the cleveland rtx. Which can be critical towards the end of the game, to take that winning shot. An attribute you want in your clubs.
- Not bad for bounce but not the best.
Cons
- Some of the other clubs variants are a tad bit expensive for your usual practice sessions.
Awesome Playability
Mizuno are back with great offering for you guys. If you need a gap wedge with a good cavity back that gives a soft feel but a good level of improvement in the performance of your short games, then this makes a wonderful choice. The specially designed shafts on this are focused on improvement in the spin. This makes the shots feel heavier and more precise in the trajectory that you calculate and project. For added strength and stability these are made of 1025 boron infused steel.
The graduated groove design on the clubhead provides a good impact and lift. I think you should consider adding it to your wedge set. Small amount of leading edge with this golf wedge. I can remember a time when my son used this wedge as lob wedge. Im sure you can guess it didnt work very well. Not so great sole grind options with this wedge but still worth adding to your set. Give these wedges a try, excellent value.
Features
Pros
- This is a highly competitive performer that can consistently help improve your handicap. Highly recommended for all golfers.
- These are exceptionally comfortable to hold, and the weight distribution pattern on this can be attributed as the main reason.
- For the number of options, you get in terms of the loft and other configurations. This club is priced pretty much lower than the most competing model in the category. Great for bounce options.
Cons
- For the price, you pay the sole grinds options provided are not the best quality in the segment.
Second to last in our Best Golf Wedges for mid-handicappers
Yet again Cleveland golf are back with another high quality wedge to add to you clubs set. You get to choose from steel and graphite variants. They both come with a cavity back. There is a difference in the weight of the club that can show a huge difference in the game. In terms of the control both of these feel more or less similar, however. This 56 degree sand wedge has the ability to help with the distance of your shots. Its also great as a lob wedge. The shots can be accurately planned with this wedge because of the easy to understand positioning of the center of gravity.
The spin milled design adds to the accuracy of the design and the attention to the details can be seen in the groove spacing and the edge sharpness as well. The bounce is also just right. It used to be one of the best wedges on the market. This is one of the models that comes with different customizable configuration choices as long as you have a little extra budget to spare. The cavity back design helps it be more forgiving. One of the best wedges for beginner golfers. Loved across the world. Worth adding to your set, now go and play.
Features
Pros
- This is one of the best Cleveland wedges in the market if spin enhancement is part of your performance goal. This is due to the use of the tour zip grooves on this one.
- The CG on this is designed in such a way that the weight lifts nicely based on the type of impact you make with your shots. Therefore, the performance of the club improves, and you do not have to alter your swing to suit the results.
Cons
- This falls in the expensive wedge’s category for mid handicappers .
Buyer’s guide
Choosing the Best Golf Wedges for Mid-Handicappers
Short Guide
Once you have a list to choose from, it would be good to know the parameters that really matter when it comes to buying a golf wedge for mid handicappers. This short guide will aim to help you further understand so you can make a decision.
Consider the Bounce of the Wedge
Do your shots sweep smooth without a trace? Do your shots dig a deep bit of turf with the shot? If you belong to the first category, choose a lower bounce and pick a higher bounce if you belong to the second category. The angle between the point of interaction with the ball and the leading edge is what bounce is about. This angle influences the spin of the ball and also the amount of control you have on your strike.
Choose the right type of wedges
The type of wedge is often labeled based on the loft angle. If you choose a cavity back design, this will help be more forgiving to your shots as a beginner to intermeidiate player. You might need a combination of all types of wedges , such as pitching wedge or gap wedge when your handicap falls in the mid-level.
Budget
It is possible to find reliable pitching wedges below $50 or even splurge on one that is close to $200 per wedge. The price is not related to performance. You simply have to find the desired configuration and then decide on a budget for your pitching wedges or lob wedges or any kind of wedge.
You cannot Ignore the Looks
Holding a stylish looking wedge does make the game seem more interesting. This is why I have picked mostly the good-looking wedges in the lot.
Let me answer your golf questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge, and lob wedge are the most popular ones in the market. These come with lofted angles 45-48, 50-52, 54-57 and above 58 degrees respectively.
The shaft length on these clubs is the shortest with the loft higher than the other clubs. These are the traits of the construction, that make the clubs accurate. Therefore, when you have reached a stage where accuracy and the number of strikes matter, you might find it beneficial to use a wedge, or better yet, make it a pitching wedge or gap wedge. A great clearly obvious way wedges benefit your game are if you have to hit the ball over water or trees, then you would 100% need to use a pitching wedge. This is due to the loft this wedge can produce. Wedges can also come with many bounce variations. These bounce variations help you out at certain points during a game or course.
This determines the type of contact that happens between the clubhead and the surface. Depending on the surface that you often play on, you would be able to choose a suitable grind for your game. There are 5 types of grinds commonly offered by most manufacturers, L, K, F, S, and M. These are also called sole grinds. As stated above they are done by the manufaturer to suit course conditions or even shots.
The number of grooves and the patterns often influence the traction that the ball gets and can intricately influence the trajectory. Wedges that have a milled face come with that design for that specific reason. These form interesting elements of aesthetics, but they are much more than that. There are restrictions on the volume of groves allowed in the design.
Conclusion
Well I hope you have enjoyed my best golf wedges for a mid-handicappers review. I didnt cover a pitching wedge. Not to imply that you wont need a pitching wedge as a mid handicapper. You certainly will need pitching wedges. I covered lob wedge sand wedge, and also gap wedges. But I would have liked to have covered the pitching wedge as it is also one of the main wedges to be used. Finally, when you are a mid-handicapper working on your performance improvement, you need a durable club that offers complete control. Get yourself a decent wedge for mid handicappers. The wedges I have gone through in this review, I feel are the best wedges for mid handicappers. Companies such as Tour Edge offers some of the most super affordable models which are at par with the best-rated ones such as callaway in terms of performance. Options like the Cleveland Golf CBX 2 sand wedge, if you are looking for a wedge that you can stick to for years. I hope you have found a decent club to add to your wedge set.
Thanks
