Louis Pringle

Jan 10, 2025

12 minutes

Shopping for golf wedges can feel overwhelming, especially with the variety of options and technical details involved. For beginner or casual golfers, understanding wedges and how to choose the right ones can significantly improve your short game and confidence on the course.

In this guide, we got our in-house expert Nick to break down everything you need to know to make an informed decision, ensuring you pick wedges that suit your game and budget. In this one, we’ll uncover all the mysteries that any beginner needs to know when it comes to these clubs.

What Are Golf Wedges, and Why Are They Important?

Wedges are specialised clubs designed for precision shots from short distances, around the green, or in tricky lies like sand bunkers. They are classified based on their loft angle, which determines the height and spin of your shots. Wedges help you control your ball’s trajectory and stopping power, making them crucial for improving your short game.

Types of Golf Wedges

Wedges come in a wide variety of loft angles, bounce angles, finishes, and models, yet there are four main types of wedges that you can always rely on when choosing the one for you:

1. Pitching Wedge: This is the most common wedge and is often included in standard iron sets. With a loft angle between 44 and 48 degrees, the pitching wedge is ideal for full shots from longer distances and approach shots to the green. It is versatile and typically marked with a “P” on the clubhead. Some brands, especially PING, will tend to mark the pitching wedges as “W”.
2. Gap Wedge: Also known as an approach or attack wedge, the gap wedge bridges the loft gap between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge, with a loft angle between 48 and 52 degrees. It’s great for controlled shots when a pitching wedge is too much, and a sand wedge is too little. These are often labeled with “G” or “A” on the clubhead.
3. Sand Wedge: With a loft angle of 52 to 56 degrees, the sand wedge is specifically designed to help golfers escape bunkers and other hazards. It has a wide sole for stability and versatility, making it effective for bunker shots, chips, and pitches. When included in iron sets, it’s marked with an “S.”
4. Lob Wedge: The lob wedge features the highest loft angle, typically above 56 degrees. It is used for high, short-distance shots that require a steep trajectory to clear obstacles or stop quickly on the green. It’s marked with an “L” or its loft angle and is great for tight lies but can be challenging to master.

Do You Need Every Type of Wedge in Your Bag?

While it’s not necessary to carry every type of wedge, having at least two is highly recommended. A pitching wedge and a sand wedge are essential for most situations. If you want more versatility, adding a gap wedge and a lob wedge can cover yardage gaps and improve your short game options. Advanced players or those with faster swings might even carry more than four wedges to fine-tune their distances.

Which one should you prioritize?

When it comes to wedges, you should prioritize your pitching wedge and your sand wedge. The latter will help you on short-distance strikes and out of the sand, while the prior will be great on longer strikes that require a high spin rate.

Once you’ve got those two figured out, you can consider adding your lob and gap wedges. The lob wedge is not easy to control, but it’s very useful around the green, especially when faced with a tight lie. The gap wedge becomes necessary if the loft gap between your pitch and your sand wedge is too large.

Key Attributes to Consider When Buying Wedges

It would be terrific if you all you had to do was simply choose a Pitching wedge (PW), a Gap wedge (GW), a Sand wedge (SW), and a Lob wedge (LW). Unfortunately, there’s a little more to it when it comes to finding the wedges needed for your set.

There are many attributes, or specs, to consider when shopping for your next wedges, and the ones listed below should help you identify which wedges are specifically suited to your set and your needs.

1. Loft Angle: The loft angle determines the height and spin of your shots. Ensure that your wedges have consistent loft gaps to avoid overlaps or large distance gaps in your set.
2. Bounce: Bounce refers to the angle between the leading edge and the sole of the club. Higher bounce helps prevent the club from digging into the turf, making it suitable for soft ground or steep swings. Lower bounce is better for tighter lies or sweeping swings. You can learn more about bounce by reading our guide.
3. Grind: The grind describes the shaping of the sole. Different grinds enhance turf interaction for various swing types and course conditions. Beginners can start with a versatile grind before experimenting with specialized options.
4. Shaft: Wedges typically feature steel shafts for better control and feedback. Graphite shafts are lighter and may benefit players with slower swing speeds. Matching the flex of your wedge shaft to your irons ensures consistent feel and performance.
5. Clubhead Finish: Wedges come in various finishes, such as chrome, black, or raw. Raw finishes can rust over time, which increases spin and performance but may require more maintenance.
6. Grip: Wedge grips should match the size and feel of your other clubs. Consistency across your set ensures better control during play.

Tips for Choosing the Right Wedges

1. Assess Your Needs: Evaluate your skill level, common course conditions, and gaps in your yardages. Beginners should prioritize wedges that provide forgiveness and versatility.
2. Consider Forgiveness: Look for cavity-back designs if you’re a high-handicap golfer. These offer more forgiveness compared to blade-style wedges, which require precise strikes.
3. Start Simple: Begin with a pitching wedge and sand wedge. As you gain experience, consider adding a gap wedge and a lob wedge to refine your short game.
4. Consult a Professional: If you’re unsure, seek advice from a club fitter or a knowledgeable golfer to help you find the right specifications for your game.

Common mistakes to avoid when buying a golf wedge

When shopping for wedges, especially used wedges or pre-loved models from Golf Avenue’s inventory, be sure to keep an eye out for a few things including, the condition of the club face and the grooves that run across it, the condition of the leading edge and distinguishing between rust and raw finish.

Damaged grooves

You’ll want to avoid grooves that show a lot of wear and tear. Ideally, your groove will have sharp edges that will bite on the ball at impact. Dull grooves will show a rounder edge which makes it much more difficult to generate spin at impact.

Chipped leading edge

Make sure to avoid wedges with a damaged leading edge. The leading edge is the angle where the sole meets the clubface. Keeping it clean from any nicks or chips is key to maintaining a high standard of performance when you’re looking to get the club under the ball.

Rusted grooves

You’ll need to distinguish between a clubhead with a raw finish that is designed to build up a thin coat of rust which will help to produce higher spin rates at impact. A build-up of rust between the grooves, especially in clubs that aren’t meant to rust, will cause a problem by limiting the bites of the grooves at impact.

Should You Buy Used Wedges?

Yes, buying used wedges can be a great option if they are in decent condition. Look for minimal wear on the grooves, as they impact spin and control. Used wedges can save money while still offering excellent performance, especially for beginners. We even tested used wedges to compare their performance against new ones.

At Golf Avenue, we’ve got thousands of used golf wedges sold online for you to shop from, all carefully inspected, with their conditions explained and pictures taken.

Wedge Recommendations for Beginners and High-Handicappers

Here are some excellent wedges that offer forgiveness and ease of use, perfectly suited to the needs of beginner and casual golfers:

1. TaylorMade Milled Grind Nickel 1.0 Wedge

2. Callaway CB Chrome Wedge

3. Wilson Harmonized Sole Grind Wedge

4. TaylorMade ATV Wedge

5. Cleveland CBX ZipCore Wedge

How Much Should You Spend on a Wedge?

Wedges range from $40 for used models to over $250 for premium, brand-new options. The price reflects the condition, technology, and brand reputation. Beginners can find excellent value in used wedges with minimal wear. Advanced golfers may prefer the latest models for their enhanced spin and control features.

What brand makes the best wedges?

No single brand is objectively "better" than another for wedges. Instead, it comes down to matching the wedge's features to your needs. Testing wedges from different brands and consulting with a Golf Avenue expert can help you find the best match for your game.

Beginners and high handicappers might lean toward TaylorMade or Callaway for forgiveness and ease of use, while pros often prefer Titleist or Mizuno for their precision and feel. Even then, what works best for one player may not suit another.

If budget is a strong factor, Cleveland and Wilson often provide wedges with excellent performance at an affordable price point.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right wedges can transform your short game and make golf more enjoyable, especially when you’re picking up the game or only play once in a while. By understanding the different types, attributes, and considerations, you’ll be well-equipped to find wedges that match your needs and skill level.

Whether you’re buying new or used, take the time to assess your options and, if needed, consult with a one of our in-house experts and book a call with one of them. With the right wedges in your bag, you’ll be ready to tackle any challenge on the course!

Until next time! ⛳