Best 56 Degree Wedges to Hit Perfect Shots Around the Green
If there’s one wedge that golfers practice more often with, it’s none other than the best 56 degree wedges. It’s the go-to golf wedge for many, many golfers, irrespective of the type of shot as long as it’s within 100 yards. And that’s the most valuable thing about the club.
But then, at the same time, you have to choose one that you’re comfortable using. Meaning it should FEEL right. This is where factors like bounce and design come into the picture. After all, a high-bounce wedge isn’t going to perform like its low-bounce version.
Likewise, a traditional blade construction produces different results than a wedge with an iron-like design. So let’s explore all of these options, and MORE!
Table of Contents
- What is A 56 Degree Wedge?
- What Shots Should You Use It For?
- What Type of A Wedge Is 56 Degrees?
- How Long Does It Travel?
- What Is the Best Bounce Angle for This Wedge?
- What Loft to Use?
- When to Use A 56-Degree Loft Wedge?
- How to Use the Wedge?
- What Is the Standard Length for Men and Women?
- How to Chip A 56-Degree Loft Wedge?
- Difference Between 56 Degree and 52 Degree Wedge?
- Difference Between 56 Degree and 58 Degree Wedge?
- Difference Between 56 Degree and 60 Degree Wedge?
- Best 56 Degree Wedges for 2022 Reviews
- It’s Time to Wrap It Up!
What is A 56 Degree Wedge?
A 56-degree or sand wedge is a golf club designed with a loft that’s perfect for bunker shots. At one point, it used to be the highest lofted wedge the most commonly used for bunker and chips shots.
56-degree lofted wedges feature a wider, heavier sole along with a higher bounce. More often than not, sand wedges have a loft between 54 degrees and 58 degrees. As for the typical bounce angle, this is anywhere between 10 degrees and 16 degrees.
What Shots Should You Use It For?
Because of the higher bounce, wedges with a 56-degree loft angle bounce off, quite literally, through soft sands. Therefore, it’s the most suitable for sand bunker shots.
But then this doesn’t mean that you can’t use the wedge on muddy turf and in thick grass. It’s a widely known fact that sand wedges are extremely versatile (full shots, pitch shots, and chip shots). Thus, ideal for use anywhere between the fairway and green provided that the golf ball isn’t on firm or hard ground.
What Type of A Wedge Is 56 Degrees?
No doubt, it’s the sand wedge. The loft angle of the sand wedge is between 54 degrees and 58 degrees.
How Long Does It Travel?
Now, this hugely depends on your swing speed and gender. If you’re a highly experienced golfer, then achieving 80 yards to 110 yards with your sand wedge is a piece of cake.
On the other hand, male average golfers hit 78 yards while the average distance for women is 60 yards.
Important Note – the 56-degree loft angle, by default, produces greater spin. And that, in turn, minimizes distance if you have less or no control over that spin.
Plus, higher lofts naturally lower the distance potential because their primary goal is to exchange distance for easier chips and lobs to clear out of bunkers and traps.
What Is the Best Bounce Angle for This Wedge?
It’s that part of the wedge that hits the ground when swinging the golf club (wedge bounce explained). As far as the bounce angle is concerned, wedges are categorized into high, mid, and low bounce. Needless to say, standard or mid bounce, which is 12 degrees, is suitable for all playing conditions.
What about the best bounce angle for 56-degree wedges? Normally, the range of bounce is between 11 degrees and 14 degrees. 11 degrees is more fitting unless your aim is to chip on a soggy golf course without pitching around the green. In that case, wedges with a 56-degree loft and 14-degree bounce have proven to perform better.
What Loft to Use?
The loft angle of sand wedges is between 54 degrees and 58 degrees. As in the case of 56 degrees, this loft is perfect for bunker shots. But, due to its versatility, it can also be used for getting out of rough, approach shots, and more.
The important thing to remember here is that low-lofted wedges seem to be more fitting for achieving long distances. As opposed to higher lofts, which exchange distance for more spin and height. Therefore, perfect for hitting bunker, flop, and chip shots.
When to Use A 56-Degree Loft Wedge?
To be more specific, golfers use this particular wedge when faced with…
- Muddy or soft surfaces.
- Rough courses with not too much green to cover.
- Short-sided golf courses.
- Higher chip shots into the green.
- Shots inside or outside the bunker.
Most golfers, no matter their skills, use the 56-degree loft when within 100 yards from the green. Because within 100 yards, this wedge paves the way for chipping the golf ball sufficiently high without overrunning that green.
How to Use the Wedge?
To be honest, the instructions are not all that hard or complicated to follow…
Firstly, you know you have to use the 56-degree lofted wedge when the ball is inside a greenside sand bunker.
Start by placing yourself some inches behind your golf ball. The bounce of the wedge should be positioned under this ball. And lift the bounce part off the ground a little.
Are you close to the greens and is the golf ball in a poor lie on the rough? If yes, then moving the wedge backward for producing the full swing (here’s how) is the most useful. This way, the golf club cuts through that grass.
Generate a complete rotation across your shot. It helps in avoiding the common mistake of digging into the turf and getting the wedge stuck in there.
On the other hand, if the golf ball lands on short grass, the hands should be placed after the clubhead. Otherwise, hitting the ball using your normal swing would become difficult.
What Is the Standard Length for Men and Women?
A 56-degree or sand wedge has an average steel shaft length of 35.25” and a graphite shaft length of 35.75” for men. Women's golf clubs are one inch shorter than those designed for men, all across the board. That means steel-shafted and graphite-shafted 56-degree wedges for women have a length of 34.25” and 34.75” respectively.
Please note that 56-degree and sand wedges have almost the same shaft length, which can be anywhere between 33 inches and 37 inches (approximately).
How to Chip A 56-Degree Loft Wedge?
Why are chip shots played from such a close distance to those greens? Because this keeps the golf ball away by only a few yards from that putting surface. The ball flies upward for some distance, hits the turf, and then rolls toward the hole.
So here’s how to produce good chip shots using the 56-degree loft.
Difference Between 56 Degree and 52 Degree Wedge?
The difference in loft angle here is only 4 degrees, right? So what could that possibly change? Well, 52 degrees seems more fitting for pitch or chip shots, along with short-distance approach shots. On the other hand, 56 degrees performs well when used for sand and high shots. It’s also more helpful in the case of less green to cover or when short-sided.
But golfers who prefer the full swing and don’t care much about bounce angle often choose a 52-degree loft (best-rated 52-degree wedges here) with a low bounce of 8 degrees. And if you’re particular about more bounce, then using the 56-degree loft makes more sense since it has the highest bounce angle of 14 degrees.
Difference Between 56 Degree and 58 Degree Wedge?
Both types of wedges, oftentimes, have the same bounce, sole width, and offset. This means similar performance in the case of greenside chipping. But the 58-degree loft is hit slightly harder to make the golf ball travel the same distance as 56 degrees. Generally, the distance gap between these two loft angles is around 7 yards.
So what really is the difference in this case? A 56-degree wedge can extract the ball out of sand bunkers more effortlessly. As for a 58-degree wedge with the same bounce, it’s more suitable for wet, soggy bunkers or when there’s very little ground to cover.
Difference Between 56 Degree and 60 Degree Wedge?
In comparison to 60 degrees, 56 degrees can achieve a larger average distance. But, needless to say, this also depends on what your clubhead speed is and how your golf ball is positioned in your stance.
Nevertheless, on average, 56-degree or sand wedge covers between 80 yards and 90 yards. While a 60-degree or lob wedge covers around 50 yards to 75 yards.
Best 56 Degree Wedges for 2022 Reviews
1. Cleveland Golf CBX 2 Wedge
The first on the list is one that’s best for high handicappers. No wonder the Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge made it to our list of the best short game improvement wedges.
On that note, let us bring to your attention that high-handicap golfers often use cavity-back irons. So it’s a relief to find out that this golf wedge features a hollow-cavity structure that consists of additional perimeter weighting to make room for more forgiveness. And that’s what’s so awesome here!
The thing that sets this particular Cleveland wedge apart from the rest is that it gives you greater good misses. So all that forgiveness is put to good use, no doubt about that.
Furthermore, the possibility of you, as a high handicapper and/or beginner, skulling or chunking your iron may be most likely. But, with the current wedge, expect the golf ball to get airborne and actually make it to that green.
Other factors like the various sole grinds, Rotex Face technology, and Feel Balancing technology are also quite commendable. Because they bring all the right characteristics into the picture – versatility, pure feel, short game control, and maximum spin.
PROS
- Wedge offers Tour-level control and spin
- Hollow cavity maximizes forgiveness
- 3 different loft-optimized sole grinds for shot versatility
- Feel Balancing + Gelback TPU insert deliver a pure feel
- Rotex Face with sharp Tour Zip grooves boosts spin and control
CONS
- Not in the best interest of low handicappers
2. Cleveland Golf Men’s RTX 4 Wedge
Look forward to making some of your best full wedge shots, flop shots, and chip shots with one of the best wedges for mid-handicap golfers – Cleveland RTX 4 Wedge. It’s a huge improvement in comparison to whatever you’re replacing it with.
In the case of full swings, this golf wedge maximizes spin and also feels great. As for closer and softer shots, it gives you all the control you demand.
Just like the previous Cleveland wedge, even this one features the exclusive Feel Balancing and Rotex Face technologies. The former is responsible for enhancing feel as well as distance control. While the latter consists of the sharpest Tour Zip grooves and most aggressive clubface milling. In simple words, Rotex Face helps in generating greater spin.
In practical terms, what also matters is the Low sole grind. It’s the best for golfers who, with full shots, tend to strike shallow divots. Even those who hit flop shots occasionally and open up the face of the wedge regularly around the green can benefit from the C-Shape sole grind. No doubt, it boosts your confidence levels around intimidating greens.
PROS
- More compact blade design for extensive feedback
- Feel Balancing technology delivers short game control
CONS
3. Callaway Golf Mack Daddy 4 Tactical Wedge
This limited edition MD4 wedge is a golf club you can use for a wide range of shots around the green. And this applies to almost every soft and moderate turf condition. All thanks to the standard S-Grind sole and loft variation.
The Mack Daddy 4 design also features special groove technology that gives you greater spin. And this is known as the groove-in-groove technology, which is also checked by Callaway using special software that ensures the tightest USGA-approved tolerances.
Since the brand is Callaway, you need not worry about quality either. Premium design, needless to say, is a huge part of the experience. Even the raw finish, which is also non-glare by the way, is a characteristic you’re most likely to appreciate as a regular golfer.
Along the same vein, the carbon steel construction of the Callaway wedge takes care of not just durability but also flexibility. On top of that, the platinum chrome and black matte visual appeal offers a solid sound at ball contact. So, no doubt, this one’s a highly recommended Callaway innovation that fulfills most wedge requirements.
PROS
CONS
4. TaylorMade Golf MG2 Wedge
Yes, it’s slightly heavier in comparison to most other wedges out there but that doesn’t seem to be such a problem once you start gaining more spin. And that’s the kind of performance you should expect from TaylorMade here.
The TaylorMade MG2 Wedge makes the golf ball fly like a dart around those greens, thus paving the way for some of your easiest putts. And this added spin and even the pure feel and greater control are all consistent.
The design of the golf wedge consists of the brand’s exclusive ZTP RAW grooves. This technology, hands down, is the best part in this case as it delivers the most amount of greenside spin. That’s the beauty of such sharper, deeper, narrower grooves.
And if you’re wondering about the grind on the MG2 wedge, let us bring to your notice that it has a milled grind sole. And what this does is boosts consistency in terms of performance and turf interaction.
The brand has redistributed the mass in the clubhead, so the CG location is optimized for producing an enhanced feel and accurate flight. The cavity-back composition of the wedge also consists of a TPU insert, which, if you don’t already know, dampens vibrations to create a positive and solid feel during impact.
So, as is pretty evident, you’re bound to appreciate the design of this one because of its great bounce, spin, and impact.
PROS
CONS
5. Cobra Golf King Black Wedge
The Cobra wedge under the spotlight is indeed an excellent addition. Just you dial it in and see how it becomes your go-to wedge for all shots within 100 yards. The feel is great, the performance is consistent, and the all-black design is something you don’t come across very often.
Golfers in search of a versatile, durable sand wedge that produces fantastically good spin are sure to find King Black by Cobra a highly competent wedge. And even more so because it features CNC-milled grooves and face to promote spin consistency all across.
The CNC-milling process is a well-engineered technique, found in many golf clubs, that produces advanced surface roughness all across the clubface. And this is how brands like Cobra design clubs, wedges in this case, that boost both control and spin. So you can generate more accurate shots around those greens.
The composition of this golf wedge is also equipped with Progressive Spin technology. Meaning the grooves are structured accordingly based on the loft angle of the wedge. And this is done specifically to hand out consistent trajectories across the different lofts. Not many golf club manufacturers do that you know.
PROS
CONS
6. Mizuno T20 Golf Wedge
To be honest, no matter the loft and bounce you choose here, you get to take advantage of Mizuno’s phenomenal grain flow forged process and hydro flow micro-grooves.
The former boosts the grain density of the contact area to deliver a soft yet solid feel consistently. While the laser-etched micro-grooves generate maximum spin, even when the turf conditions are wet.
These are forged golf wedges that feel slightly firmer around already intimidating greens. But that’s a good thing because then you get a good feel in the case of full shots. However, more backspin is also created. Nevertheless, that’s alright because the advantages clearly outweigh such minor drawbacks.
All in all, this Mizuno wedge is a great choice for average golfers. And when struck the right way, the club will do anything you have in mind. That’s how solid it is when it comes to improving short game performance.
PROS
CONS
7. Pinemeadow Golf PGX Wedge
Now how do you like the idea of chipping onto the green with less effort yet more accuracy? If that’s what you’ve been struggling to achieve, then it’s time to have a look at the Pinemeadow PGX Wedge.
The golf wedge performs like a dream because of its highly forgiving construction. Even the greater bounce is something that appeals the most to golfers who tend to produce half a swing.
Also, did you know that steel shafts in wedges and putters are the most common? In that case, it’s great news that this Pinemeadow wedge features a steel shaft. Only the right shaft in a wedge has the ability to create a higher spin, tighter shot dispersion, and more consistency. Always keep that in mind.
Furthermore, the midsize sole of the wedge paves the way for accurate play, irrespective of the lie. To be honest, Pinemeadow PGX may not be as good as, for example, Cleveland CBX 2 or RTX 4. But then for the money you pay, it’s definitely worth every penny.
PROS
- Wide sole in the bottom adds more forgiveness
- U-groove technology imparts greater spin
CONS
- The paint job on the golf club looks cheap
8. Wilson Women’s Harmonized Golf Wedge
Wilson here is responsible for manufacturing a well-engineered sand wedge that gets the job done for women golfers still learning how to work their way around the green. Needless to say, the Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge is perfect for beginners. Plus, the price tag is affordable, which means you don’t have to spend a huge sum of money.
Despite the reasonable price, the build quality of this wedge seems excellent. Although the weight is slightly heavier in comparison to most other sand wedges. This means you still need to know how to hit it nicely if you wish to get the golf ball out of sand bunkers.
But, considering everything, Wilson Harmonized helps a great deal when it comes to improving performance. All thanks to its sole grind that makes it easier for you to open that clubface even more for producing higher, more accurate shots.
The design of the wedge is also much appreciated because of the well-adjusted bounce angles. Versatility from the rough, sand, and fairway is undebatably essential, right? In that context, the modified bounce, along with the blade shape, seems like the most workable solution. Even for generating dead-stop spin as a matter of fact.
So you, as a beginner golfer, have every reason in the book to cherish Wilson Harmonized.
PROS
- Modified bounce angles deliver deadlock spin and versatility
CONS
It’s Time to Wrap It Up!
Golfers, no matter their swing speed, handicap, or whatever, carry the 56-degree loft wedge for hitting those shots around the green. Because what this particular wedge does is gets the golf ball high up and out of sand bunkers the most effortlessly. Obviously, there has to be some kind of effort applied on your part, in terms of technique and not force.
Just keep in mind that this is nothing but a sand wedge, thus perfect for use within 100 yards. As long you choose any one from the wedges we’ve shortlisted for you, your short game performance is bound to improve.
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