Best Wedges For High Handicappers

It has been well proven that the area of golf that amateur golfers lose the most strokes on is the short game. The reason many players have difficulty with their short game is because of the immense skill and precision needed to hit extremely accurate shots. Golfers with high handicaps tend to have the most to gain from getting better at the short game, specifically wedges.

While practice can make perfect, the fastest way to master wedge shots is to use a wedge designed specifically for high handicap golfers. Thankfully, we have found the 10 best wedges for high handicappers and compiled them in this handy review guide!

Many big-name brands have made the list and include TaylorMade, Cleveland, and Cobra. Of course, other smaller brands are included thanks to their particular focus on creating wedges that make it simple to hit a large majority of wedge shots.

So let’s hop into our review of the 10 Best Wedges For High Handicappers and find the best wedge for your game.

Best Wedges for High Handicappers

1. Cleveland Smart Sole 3 S

Cleveland’s Smart Sole 3 wedge series has quickly become one of the best selling wedges in the game!

 Key Features

• Three-Tiered Sole
• Feel Balancing Technology
• Optimized Loft

The idea for the Cleveland Smart Sole 3 Wedge was simple; take the award-winning CBX wedge and add a wider sole for more forgiveness. With this idea, Cleveland has created a wedge that has all the feel and performance of the CBX just with more forgiveness and better turf interaction.

The key to outstanding forgiveness is the Three-Tiered Sole that works to minimize turf grabbing. So golfers should expect less fat or chunked chip shots with the Smart Sole 3 S. Feel Balancing Technology also helps keep the clubface in line with the target throughout the entire swing.

Optimizations have been made across the entire face of the Smart Sole 3 S to create a more consistent performance. Specifically, the Smart Sole 3 S comes with a 58-degree loft which is perfect for shots out of bunkers and within ~30 yards. Golfers can choose between a wedge flex graphite or steel shaft.

✅ Pros

• Easy To Hit
• Great Feel
• Sand Shots Are A Breeze

🚫 Cons

• A Little Pricey

Add the Cleveland Smart Sole 3 S to your bag and have the confidence to take dead aim at the pin.

2. TaylorMade Bigfoot

Hunt for the pin from anywhere around the green with the TaylorMade Bigfoot Wedge!

Key Features

• Big Foot Wide Sole
• Hi-Toe Design
• Milled Grind

While almost all of TaylorMade’s wedge offerings are for blade-style forged wedges, the Bigfoot takes the brand in a unique direction. The style of the Bigfoot is unmistakenly blade style but with some changes. The most noticeable change is the inclusion of a wider and more robust sole.

Another slight alteration is a Hi-Toe Design that extends the top of the club just a bit in an attempt to create a larger clubface. Both the wide sole and Hi-Toe Design help to optimize turf interaction and golf ball trajectory. This makes the Bigfoot Wedge perfect for both turf and sand shots.

Currently, the TaylorMade Bigfoot Wedge is available in both a 58 and 60-degree configuration. Golfers can also choose between a graphite or steel shaft, with the graphite shaft costing about $30 more. Regardless of configuration, the Bigfoot Wedge comes with a bronze finished and milled face.

✅ Pros

• Great Loft
• Outstanding Feel
• Lots Of Spin

🚫 Cons

• Expensive

Lower your handicap when you upgrade to the top-performing TaylorMade Bigfoot Wedge.

3. Square Strike

If you have watched any PGA Tour Golf events over the last year, you have probably heard of the Square Strike Wedge and what it can bring to your game.

Key Features

• Extra Wide Sole
• Anti-Rotational Weighting
• 1 Year Warranty

It’s fair to place a hefty amount of skepticism for products advertised on TV that claim to be able to change your life. And while the claims that the Square Strike makes might seem a little far fetched, they are in fact quite true. This wedge will, in fact, change your golf game if you are having chipping troubles.

The first thing that most golfers notice is that the Square Strike is quite rectangular in shape. This is for good reason, as this shape allows for a wider and beveled sole. Both of these features make chunking and hitting the ball fat almost near impossible.

Mishits will also be a thing of the past thanks to Anti-Rotational Weighting. All you have to do is swing the Square Strike similar to a putter and watch as the ball comes cleanly off the face each and every time. The wedge is available in 45, 55, and 60-degree lofts and comes with a 1-year warranty.

✅ Pros

• Extremely Hard To Mishit
• Simple To Use
• Very Accurate

🚫 Cons

• A Little Pricey
• Unique Head Shape

Believe the hype and start seeing for yourself why the Square Strike is one of the best wedges for average golfer.

4. Callaway Sureout

Get yourself out of any sticky situation with the Callaway Sureout!

Key Features

• High Bounce Sole
• Wider Face
• 17 Spin Tuned Grooves

Even having a brief case of the chipping yips can cause a golfer’s short game confidence to plummet. That’s exactly why Callaway made the Sureout. Because with the Sureout, you will have the confidence to tackle any bunker shot or tight shot around the green.

Crafted with a larger High Bounce Sole, the Callaway Sureout will help you get the ball up in the air no matter the lie. The club design uses a wider face which is especially useful for clearing sand quickly during a bunker shot.

Callaway has also chosen to go with a full groove face that includes 17 Spin Tuned Grooves. These grooves apply a generous amount of spin on most shots from a fair lie. Golfers can choose between a 56, 58, and 60-degree loft at the time of purchase.

✅ Pros

• Great Spin
• Easy Out Of Bunkers
• Good Looking Design

🚫 Cons

• None

Stop suffering from the yips and start dropping shots next to the pin like a pro with the Callaway Sureout.

5. Cleveland CBX

Don’t like the look of wide sole wedges? Settle on the Cleveland CBX that is a middle ground between blade style and wide sole wedges.

Key Features

• Wide Dual V Sole
• Cavity Back Design
• Feel Balancing Technology

Depending on your swing style, a large soled wedge may not be very feasible. Yet you still might want more forgiveness than a traditional forged blade wedge. With its Wide Dual V Sole, the CBX wedge can give you forgiveness on tough lies without getting in your way.

A relatively large Cavity Back Design makes for better CG and weight distribution. During contact, the ball can be easily located on the clubface thanks to a thinner face. Feel Balancing Technology also helps create this responsive and precise feel.

Unlike some other wedges, the Cleveland CBX comes with many different loft types. Lofts start at 46 degrees and increase by 2 degrees each to a max of 60. This means that it should be very easy to find the wedge or wedges you need to fit your game.

✅ Pros

• More Traditional Wedge Design
• Great Balance
• Lots Of Lofts Available

🚫 Cons

• Not Super Forgiving

Capture the same amount of forgiveness as wider sole wedges without the overwhelming size when you use the Cleveland CBX.

6. Cobra 56 Degree

Address the ball confidently no matter the lie with the Cobra 56 Degree Wedge!

Key Features

• Muscle Back Design
• CNC Milled Face
• Diamonized Black Metal Finish

As it has been pretty clear to see so far in this review guide, many of the best wedges for high handicappers have larger soles and a slightly wider face. The Cobra 56 Degree Wedge is a little different in that it has a much more traditional shape called a Muscle Back Design. This particular design keeps a thin clubface but adds a little extra mass to the sole to help increase forgiveness and feel.

Cobra is also famous for including a CNC Milled Face that helps create lots of backspin on well-hit shots. Golfers will also appreciate a hardy finish called Diamonized Black Metal Finish which better adheres to the clubhead than traditional paints.

One downside to the Cobra 56 Degree Wedge is that if you are having trouble hitting blade-style wedges, you will probably still have a little trouble with this club. Of course with a wider sole, you will see more forgiveness, but there is still a chance to chunk shots if you are not careful.

✅ Pros

• Traditional Wedge Look
• Medium Sized Sole
• Cobra Connect Ready

🚫 Cons

• Expensive

By adding the Cobra 56 Degree Wedge to your bag you will no doubt start to hit great chips shot after shot.

7. C3i Wedge

Do you fear sand bunkers for the simple fact that one your in them you can’t get out? Well, that fear is about to disappear with the C3i Wedge.

Key Features

• Auto Glide Sole
• Simple Swing
• 1-Year Warranty

It seems all too easy to get into a sand bunker but much harder to get out. But the company behind the C3i is out to change sand shots for good. With a unique design and simplified swing, the C3i will change the game of golf.

Created with a wider face and a loft of 65 degrees, the C3i Wedge makes getting great contact and height a piece of cake. A large Auto Glide sole lets the clubhead skim the ground without digging or catching. So chunking and blading the ball will be a thing of the past!

With a traditional wedge, lots of changes with your stance and clubhead need to do when hitting from a bunker. The C3i only needs to align with the target and swing away. C3i believes in the products it makes and offers a 1-Year Warranty for any defects.

✅ Pros

• Simple To Use
• Easy Sand Escapes
• Appealing Color Combination

🚫 Cons

• Expensive

Take aim at the green confidently knowing that if you end up in a bunker you can use the C3i and get up and down with ease.

8. Wilson Harmonized

Need a full set of wedges? Grab a Harmonized Set from Wilson!

Key Features

• Sole Grind
• Aggressive Grooves
• High Polish Finish

For the most part, most golf wedge manufacturers don’t offer golf wedge sets. The main reason for this is because the companies want to leave it up to golfers to choose what particular grind and lofts they want. But if you are a high handicap golfer you more than likely don’t care all that much about slight differences in grinds or bounce degrees. This is where the Wilson Harmonized Wedge set comes in.

With three wedges, a 52, 56, and 60 degrees, the set has everything you need to cover from about 75 yards and in. Each wedge has a traditional blade design and comes with a very versatile Sole Grind. Aggressive Grooves help increase spin from the fairway to around the green.

Despite the Harmonized Wedge Set not having the same forgiveness as other wedges on this list, they are still a great choice, especially for cash strapped golfers. Plus, using these wedges now will make it easier to transition to higher-end wedges in the future.

✅ Pros

• Good Spin
• Great Finish
• Outstanding Value

🚫 Cons

• Not Super Forgiving

Round out your set of clubs with the well-performing and long-lasting Wilson Harmonized Set.

9. Mazel Sand Wedge

Mazel’s out of this world design for their sand wedge is just crazy enough to work!

Key Features

• Hollow Design
• CNC Milled Face & Sole
• Electroplated Finish

It is quite safe to say that you have never seen a sand wedge like this! Created with a hollow body and a clubface with slats this club is truly one of a kind. But this Hollow Design is all for a purpose. The idea is to allow the sand to flow through the clubhead, counteracting the usual drag during the shot.

To get such a clean look, Mazel used CNC Milling on the face and sole. This attention to detail makes the club much more durable and better looking. To cap it off Mazel also applied a special Electroplated Finish that shows up as a rainbow effect across the entire clubhead.

Maybe the most obvious drawback of a hollow clubhead/clubface is that there will be very little spin on any shot. There just isn’t enough clubface or grooves to generate meaningful spin. So just be ready to adapt to more ball roll out on bunker shots.

✅ Pros

• Super Forgiving
• Smooth Through Sand
• Eye-Catching Looks

🚫 Cons

• Not Much Spin

Make your foursome stare in wonderment when you pull out the Mazel Sand Wedge and complete a picture-perfect up and down from the sand.

10. Pinemeadow PGX Wedge

Save some serious cash when you choose to add the Pinemeadow PGX to your bag.

Key Features

• Midsize Wedge Sole
• Muscle Back Design
• Sharp Leading Edge

Pinemeadow has been making some exceptional golf clubs aimed at beginners and higher handicapped players for several years now. Their PGX Wedge has been one of the best-sellers thanks to its exceptional value and performance. Made with a muscle back design, the club looks very similar to other higher-end wedges.

What makes this wedge very versatile and friendly to higher handicap players is the Midsize Wedge Sole. This style of sole is perfect for a variety of shots that originate from the fairway or bunker. The bounce of the sole is relatively average meaning that you should take a relatively small divot on a normal swing.

One downside of this particular wedge is that the leading edge is a little sharp, so you may find yourself digging into the ground on occasion. Forgiveness is also a little lacking and more on par with a normal forged wedge.

✅ Pros

• Versatile Grind
• Great Look At Address
• Low Price

🚫 Cons

• Low Forgiveness

Whether you need a long term wedge or just a spare, the Pinemeadow PGX is the perfect choice for the money.

Bottom Line

While it might seem like there are no other choices than a traditional forged wedge, many new wedges have hit the market. And while their design is anything but traditional, they truly can help you better your game.

So if you are having problems chunking or blading your wedge shots from the fairway or you just can’t get the ball out of a bunker, its time to get a new wedge. Because when you get any of the wedges presented in this review guide, you are guaranteed to start hitting the ball with more accuracy and consistency.

For higher handicap golfers, we recommend wedges that have a larger sole and face as they will be much more forgiving. Of course, if you like the look of traditional wedges the best choice for you would be a muscle back style with a medium-sized sole.

So stop thinking about getting a new wedge and instead make it happen! Change your wedges starting today and witness just how much better your short game will be in just a couple of rounds. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed!