Welcome to my best wedges for mid handicappers review and guide for 2024.
I’m an avid golfer, a 9.2 6.7 handicap on my way to a 2 (been a 5.6) and frequent tester of golf clubs and equipment since 2015.
In my opinion…and experience, wedge play is where Mids become Lows. How do I know?
I did it myself. I left the driving range alone…pretty much. Spent 95% of my practice time 40 yards and in with my wedges and putter…Mostly wedges.
I went from an 11ish to a 5.6 handicap quick-like. So, I know wedges can make a difference.
In this best mid-handicap wedge review, we discuss the benefits and features of each and our recommendations.
Our New #1 Recommendation – Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Wedges
- Highest & Best Spin from Any Lie
- Superior Control & Accuracy
- Tight & sharp grooves offer better grab out of the sand
- Head felt a little light
Rest of the Best Wedges For Mid Handicappers in 2024
- Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Wedges (Best All Around)
- Taylormade Hi-Toe Wedge (Runner Up )
- Titleist Vokey SM9 Wedges (For Better Mid Handicaps)
- Callaway Jaws Raw Chrome Wedges (For Better Mid Handicaps)
- Callaway Jaws Raw Black Plasma Wedge (For Better Mid Handicaps)
- Taylormade MG4 Wedges (For Better Mid Handicaps)
- Cleveland CBX Full Face (Most Versatile Around the Green)
#1 Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Wedges
- Highest & Best Spin from Any Lie
- Superior Control & Accuracy
- Tight & sharp grooves offer better grab out of the sand
- Head felt a little light
The Cleveland RTX 6 Zipcore Wedge is #1 Recommendation for best mid hadicap wedges of 2023. We tested the “RAW” Tour version.
What we like:
- Best and most consistent spin rates recorded from any lie.
- Superior control & accuracy. (The name of the game with wedges)
- Great versatility.
- Variety of grind options.
What we don’t like:
- Slightly “firm” feel. (We seem to disagree with most customers on this)
- Head felt a little lite to us.
The RTX 6 had the best spin from any lie we could dream up. We loved its control and consistency. It’s also a great-looking wedge.
This one’s for the more accomplished player. We like it for better mid-handicaps and low handicaps.
Recommendation: Take a look at this one if you’re a fan of scoring.
#2 Taylormade Hi-Toe Wedge
- Good spin rates on partial shots
- Milled from 8620 carbon steel for premium feel
- Multiple bounce options
- No lofts below 50 degrees
- Low spin rates on full shots
- Odd shape takes getting used to
The Taylormade Hi-Toe wedge is next on our list of best wedges for mid handicappers.
What we like:
- Consistent spin rates on partial shots.
- Highly versatile around the greens.
- Great from touch lies.
- Good spin out of the rough.
- Really forgiving. (great wedge if you play game improvement clubs)
What we don’t like:
- Low spin numbers on full shots.
- Looks take getting used to.
Our tester got good spin numbers on her full swings – 8500 to 9500. Spin rates on partial shots were in the 7500 rpm range.
Not the best spin numbers, but it more than makes up for it with added forgiveness. The Hi-Toe shines when you have to manipulate the face to get up quickly or get your ball our of the cabbage. So, we love it around the greens.
We couldn’t quite get used to the look at address for full swing shots. Plus the feel isn’t quite up to par with our top picks.
Recommendation: A nice wedge for mid handicappers and even high handicappers. Especially around the green.
#3 Titleist Vokey SM9 Wedges
- Exceptional spin rates
- Superb feel & distance control
- Available in several finishes & grinds
- Nada
The new Vokey SM9 is next on our list of best wedges for mid handicappers.
What we like:
- Best spin rates tested.
- Best feel and superb distance control.
- Can play any shot you can dream up.
- Variety of finishes and grinds available.
What we don’t like:
- Too many grinds – Confusing for the average consumer.
We expected the SM9 to do well and we weren’t disappointed. There’s a reason Titleist consistently makes the most in-demand wedges in the game.
Our testing showed they produce tons of spin from full shots and partial shots. And the spin numbers remained consistent from shot to shot. We’re talking 100 rpm differences as measured on the Foresight GC3 launch monitor.
Whereas the other wedges tested varied by as much as 500 rpm from shot to shot. (Not as ideal for control and scoring)
Recommendation: We like the SM9 for better mid handicappers. This is a precision tool.
#4 Callaway Jaws Raw Chrome Wedges
- Impressive distance control
- Great feel on both long and short shots
- Not too soft coming off the face of the club
- Spin, regardless of the lie
- Zilch
The Callaway JAWS RAW Chrome wedge is next on our list of best wedge for mid handicap golfers.
What we like:
- Consistently high spin rates on full, partial, and short game shots and from all lies.
- Good distance control and good feel.
- Variety of finishes and grinds available.
What we don’t like:
- High, but not the highest spin rates. (This is nitpicking)
This new Callaway wedge is a solid step up from past Callaway wedges.
Our testing on the GC3 launch monitor and on the course revealed high spin numbers from the RAW Chrome from every distance and from all lies.
Spin numbers weren’t as consistent at the SM9 on the launch monitor, but you won’t notice it on the course. These are scoring machines.
Recommendation: If you want a classic-looking wedge with modern technology and Roger Cleveland’s expertise, the Jaws Raw Chrome is it.
#5 Callaway Jaws Raw Black Plasma Wedges
- Similar technology and feel to Jaws Raw Chrome
- Anti-glare black finish
- Stays looking new for a longer time
- Not as consistent as Chrome version
The Callaway Jaws Raw Black Plasma Wedge is next on our list of best 56 degree wedges of 2023.
What we like:
- Excellent spin rates.
- Great feel and great trajectory and distance control.
- Great versatility.
- Anti-glare finish.
- Variety of grind options
What we don’t like:
- Slightly lower spin numbers
They perform exceptionally well on the course from all lies and all distances. The Black Plasma is a scoring weapon in the right hands.
But, we put it on the launch monitor, so we wanted to let you know what we found there too.
While the raw numbers on the launch monitor aren’t quite as good as the Chrome version or the SM9, you would never know it by their performance on the course.
They’ve got serious hop-and-stop chops around the green.
Recommendation: An excellent scoring wedge if you’ve got the game.
#6 Taylormade MG4 Wedges
- Superb distance control on finesse shots
- Excellent spin numbers on full shots
- Milled grind improves turf interaction
- Slightly larger profile and more rounded look
- Darker chrome finish for less glare
- Less distance on full swings
The new Taylormade MG4 Wedge is next on our list of best wedges for mid handicappers.
What we like:
- Impressive & consistent turf interaction.
- Great feel and great trajectory and distance control.
- Beaucoup spin on partial and finesse shots.
- Incredible out of the sand.
- Best distance wedge tested.
What we don’t like:
- Distance loss on full swings.
The MG4 is a short-game weapon. It was the easiest wedge to dial in awkward yardages we tested and felt great while doing it. Our tester had a ball from 50-80 yards.
It’s a considerable upgrade from the MG3, which we just tested.
Recommendation: An excellent scoring wedge for mid-handicaps if you’re willing to put in the work.
#7 Cleveland CBX Full-Face Wedge
New & Used Clubs Available
Get 8% OFF at Global Golf with Code: GolferGeek
Who are the Cleveland CBX Full-Face wedges for for
- Golfers looking for a touch of forgiveness on full and partial shots and…
- Tend to play open-face shots around the green looking but want a help generating more spin and height.
Technology behind their performance
- Half-cavity near the heal w/ muscle back behind the toe
- High toe profile with extended groove section for extreme open-face shots
- Rotex and laser milling with super-sharp grooves for elite performance
- Low c-shaped sole to allow for easily manipulating the face wide open for higher shots
Anyone looking for more help with finesse shots should definitely give these a look.
As I said above, Cleveland Golf is known for its wedges and the CBX Full-Face wedges deserve your attention.
Get 8% off from Global Golf with Code – GolferGeek
How to pick the Best Wedges for the Mid Handicapper
As a mid-handicap golfer, (golfers with high single-digit to mid-teens handicaps…I think) you have a wide array of wedges available to you. And…
The wedges you’ll want as a 15 handicap may differ from what you want as a 9 handicap.
For Instance…
Better players tend to have a shallower angle of attack so may prefer less bounce and vice versa for higher handicaps. (steeper angle attack, so more bounce)
As soon as I started breaking 90 pretty regularly I jumped into the Cleveland 588s. Not exactly forgiving wedges, but they worked great for me and I loved them.
These days, one of the best wedge manufacturers in the game, Cleveland, makes performance wedges with added forgiveness…which I think is fairly awesome.
When is the best time to replace my wedges?
You May Not Need New Wedges…
Here’s what Titleist says about when to get new wedges.
- Consider replacing your wedges at around 60-70 rounds. (The amount you practice will also have and effect on this decision…not to mention if you practice with hard-ass range balls instead of your own good golf balls)
Here’s my view on when to replace your wedge(s)…
- You’ve never bought performance wedges and are ready for the next level in wedge play.
- You are having to bump and run more and more because you can’t get spin around the green…even with crisp contact.
- You hate your wedges and there’s no making up.
If none of these describe you, hit your short game practice hard and come back here when the time is right.
What are the best wedges for a mid-handicapper to carry?
You’re big boys and girls now and you need grown-up tools for the job.
I think this wedge configuration will do you until the end of your playing days:
- Pitching wedge
- Gap wedge
- Sand wedge
- Lob wedge
**Remember…we can only have 14 clubs in our bag so…you may need to take out one of your long irons, a hybrid, or a fairway wood.
How to choose the best loft for a mid handicappers wedges
Everything starts with your gap wedge and you should be playing the one that comes with your set at this stage.
The loft of your gap wedge will…
- determine the loft of your sand wedge which will…
- determine the loft of your lob wedge
**Note: Just make sure to check the loft gap between your pitching wedge and gap wedge isn’t more than 6 degrees at most, preferably 4-5 degrees. ALSO, don’t forget you can get your wedges bent 1-2 degrees to your proper loft gap. (WARNING – this changes your bounce)
Pitching wedge lofts have changed quite a bit in recent years…
Old Wedge Loft Gaps
- Pitching wedge: 46-48 degrees
- Gap wedge: 50-52 degrees
- Sand Wedge: 54-56 degrees
- Lob Wedge: 58-60 degrees
New Wedge Loft Gaps
- Pitching wedge: 41-45 degrees
- Gap wedge: 48-52 degrees
- Sand Wedge: 54-56 degrees
- Lob Wedge: 58-64 degrees
How to choose the best bounce for the mid handicappers wedges
The bounce on a wedge is your friend. And, as non-scratch golfers, we need all the friends we can get in our short game.
What is the bounce on a wedge?
The bounce on a wedge is the angle from the leading edge of your wedge and the lowest part of the sole as it sits on the ground square.
- You can see from the image below that the higher the bounce the higher the leading edge of your wedge will sit off the ground when it is soled.
What is the bounce on a wedge for?
The bounce on your sand wedge and lob wedge is for added forgiveness so you can produce good results from not-so-good contact.
The bounce of a wedge is designed to stop it from digging into the sand on bunker shots and from digging into the turf on shots off the grass.
You will need to match the bounce on your wedges with your normal playing conditions and the way you play your wedges
- Higher bounce wedges (10* plus) are better for softer conditions & a steep angle of attack
- Lower bounce wedges (4*- 6*) are better for harder conditions & a shallow angle of attack
- Mid bounce wedges (7*- 10*) are best for normal turf and are more versatile
I know I tend to take deeper divots, though I’m trying to get shallower, and the conditions here in Houston are generally normal to soft. My sand wedge has 10 degrees of bounce and my lob wedge has 9 degrees of bounce.
Most experts agree that handicap golfers need a minimum of 10 degrees of bounce for their wedges. I agree with this.
How to Buy Your Wedges
I recommend going with the wedges included with your set for pitching and gap wedge.
You can get away with the sand & lob wedges included with your set…but, I suggest you get pickier and shop around for something better. Your sand wedge will likely be your workhorse around the green. Makes sense to take more care when buying it.
Final Verdict
Which wedges should you get?
My #1 suggestion is to test before you buy. Either at your local golf store or take advantage of Global Golf’s Utry trial program. I use it and recommend it.
Thanks for checking out Golfer Geeks’ best wedges for mid handicappers. Let us know which ones you chose and how they are working for you.
- Highest & Best Spin from Any Lie
- Superior Control & Accuracy
- Tight & sharp grooves offer better grab out of the sand
- Head felt a little light
