Choosing the correct set of golf wedges in the right lofts and lies with ideal shaft length and flex can help produce better results on the golf course. For those who aren’t sure which wedges to put in their bag this year, or for those curious to see what new models are on the market, this buying guide can answer every question.
Most golfers understand loft and its benefits, but some golf feel this is an area which needs expanding upon.
Loft gives players an idea of how far a golf ball is likely to travel and the type of trajectory it is likely achieve off the clubface. The more loft a golf ball has, the higher the trajectory is going to be. For example, if the trajectory is high then the golf ball will travel a shorter distance and vice versa.
Wedges are the most lofted golf clubs in a player’s bag; utilise them to gain an advantage by tapping into their range of technologies.
From pitching wedge and gap wedge through sand wedge and lob wedge there are a range of options for every golfer. A standard set might come with pitching and sand for longer approach shots and trips to the dreaded bunker but modern thinking points towards having more options in the bag. A gap wedge will fill the ‘gap’ between pitching and sand and remove the need for tricky ¾ length shots while a lob wedge will pop the ball up and over trouble, landing softly with greater spin. How many and what type of wedge is ultimately up to the golfer but setting out for a round without at least two would not be advised.
The ‘bounce’ is the curvy part on the sole of the golf wedge which allows the club head to bounce out of sand or rough without sagging. Using golf wedges with the correct combination of bounce and loft can drastically transform a players’ game – especially if they rely on their short-game.
It’s very unlikely a golfer will find wedges with bounce higher than 18 degrees, but it is possible to purchase a wedge with a bounce as low as 2. The three variations that can affect a golfer’s game are Low, Standard and High.
Wedges that promote low bounce will be suitable for tackling shots from tight lies and firm turf conditions. The combination of having less bounce and narrower sole-width lowers the leading edge of the blade for a cleaner, crisper contact with the golf ball. This is perfect for golfers who have a creative flair on the greens and in the bunkers, but who also have shallow attack angles through impact. Less bounce and a narrower sole width makes it much easier to open the face and hit high, soft landing flop shots. Lower bounce golf wedges are found in lower loft ranges such as Pitching and Approach golf wedges used for longer approach shots. More golfers benefit from having more bounce (10 to 14 degree) as opposed to less.
The ‘standard bounce’ golf wedge is perfect for all conditions and will work well with any golfer, making it one of the most all-round playable clubs on the market. It will even suit the more creative players, it’s that versatile.
A brilliant option for golfers who prefer to play an open or square face out of the bunker and who have an average of slightly steeper attack angle, standard bounce wedges will work for anyone.
High bounce golf wedges are good for golfers with a steep attack angle and are designed to play out of soft turf and sand. The combination of the wider flange and higher bounce angle prevent digging and creates smoother gliding action of the sole along the ground. This means that a high bounce wedge will play exceptionally well out of soft sand for golfers who prefer to keep a square face through impact. High bounce golf wedges are often associated with higher lofts, although this is not always the case.
Low to mid handicap wedges are made with the better level of golfer in mind. Beginners and intermediate players should give these clubs a wide berth, as wedges made for the low to mid handicapper are far superior in difficulty and need to be used by seasoned pros or very good amateurs.
The Callaway Golf Mack Daddy PM Grind Wedge has been designed by Phil Mickelson to improve short game and add some creativity to a player's game. Ideal for mid-to-low handicaps, the Mack Daddy Grind Wedge gives you unbelievable versatility for the most difficult wedge shots imaginable. The high toe design, provides more surface area to really go after shots with your wedge, be it a short-sided flop shot, getting out of the most challenging bunkers, deep rough or your every day stock lie in the fairway. It looks different, because it performs different.
Wedges ideal for the low-to-mid handicapper include the TaylorMade Tour Preferred EF Wedge - combining industry-first technological advancements with the meticulous craftsmanship of renowned club designer Clay Long in a tour-validated wedge that delivers astoundingly long-lasting high-spin performance, exceeding that of any wedge TaylorMade has ever created.
Suitable for all golfers regardless of skill, the Nike Golf Victory Red V-Rev, Nike Golf Engage Toe Sweep and Cleveland Golf Conforming Black Pearl CG15 have arrived to improve your short game.
Other popular golf wedges now available at American Golf include the Mizuno Golf MP T7 White Satin Wedge, Mizuno Golf MP T7 Blue IP Wedge, Cleveland Golf RTX 3 Tour Satin Wedge, Cleveland Golf RTX 3 Black Satin Wedge, Callaway Golf MD 3 Milled Chrome, Callaway Golf Steelhead XR Steel Sand Wedge, Titleist SM5 Vokey Tour Chrome and TaylorMade Tour Preferred to name just a few.
American Golf has a large selection of golf wedges to suit the individual needs of every golfer available in-store and online.
Remember you can visit any of our American Golf stores around the UK for anything from re-gripping to a full MOT - plus there's a PGA Pro in every store who can lend advice and tips, or answer any questions you might have.
At american golf there is no shortage of golf wedges to choose from, and we only stock the biggest brands on the market, including Cleveland, Mizuno, Callaway, Titleist, Nike, TaylorMade, PING, US Kids, Cobra, Wilson, Fazer.
Package sets are perfect for introducing new players into golf or helping improving golfers hone their skills without having to buy individual golf clubs. Package sets have proven popular among all types of players, and are available for men, women and juniors.
