Best Wedges for Beginners and High Handicappers

10 Best Wedges for Beginners and High Handicappers

Wedges, no doubt, are among the 3 most important golf clubs (the other 2 being your driver and putter). Whether you’re a professional, low-handicap golfer or the opposite, a wedge contributes greatly when it comes to lowering your scores as well as your golf handicap.

And the fact that it lowers the handicap means you should then want to know what are the best wedges for beginners and high handicappers. Because the majority of high-handicap newbies in golf tend to hit the ball thin. And if not that, then you’re most likely hitting some inches behind the golf ball, therefore producing chunk shots more often.

So why let such unfortunate mistakes ruin your chances of achieving a successful hole?

A wedge with a large, forgiving face, low CG, and optimal grind, bounce, and loft is the perfect solution indeed!

Top 3 Picks for The Best Wedges for Beginners & High Handicappers

Most Forgiving Wedge
Cleveland Golf CBX 2 Wedge
Cleveland Golf CBX 2 Wedge

Hollow-bodied and cavity-back, Cleveland CBX 2 is built for NOT punishing off-center shots. The perimeter weighting, along the way, also delivers greater distances that work in the favor of both beginners and high handicappers.

Best Blade Wedge
Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge
Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge

A traditional blade shape, this Wilson Harmonized Wedge, with its modified bounce, offers you, a beginner and/or high handicapper, all the versatility and spin you demand. Don’t also forget that blades give you the golfer feedback that cavity-backs just cannot.

Best Cavity-Back Wedge
Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge
Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge

Avoid the dreadful digging-into-the-turf, whether you’re in the sand, rough, or fairway, with a cavity-back wedge like Callaway Mack Daddy CB. Plus, its unique Groove-In-Groove technology also helps in controlling spin and trajectory across ALL shots.

Wedges to Use as A Beginner Or High Handicapper

Why use wedges in the first place? Here are the most likely scenarios that high handicappers and beginners are often faced with that demand the use of wedges.

To Get Out of Bunkers

Getting out of those damn bunkers is indeed the most important concern. For which a fat-sole wedge, with a loft between 56 degrees and 59 degrees, seems like the best choice.

For Chipping

Needless to say, chipping with irons is not something that every golfer can get away with, especially if you have a high handicap. Then it becomes tricky to chip over water, bunkers, and other such hazards.

So the most workable solution, at such times, is a cavity-back wedge. The loft here is between 50 degrees and 56 degrees.

For Shots From 30 yards – 100 yards

Wedges with 50 degrees loft down to 50 degrees loft are more fully swung in situations like these. But you can experiment with the loft to find one that works in terms of distance for full and half shots.

Side Note for Beginners and High HandicappersDon’t worry yourself with flop shots at this point. Your only aim right now is to make sure the golf ball reaches the green, so you can make a single putt. Or if worse comes to worst, then two-putt.

Wedges That Beginners/High Handicappers Should Carry

Standard, off-the-shelf golf club sets include a pitching wedge, which is the most common of the lot. So does that means it’s the only universally played wedge? Nope, not necessarily. Beginners and high handicappers, especially, desire more short game precision, right? In that case, it only makes sense to look at the other 3 wedges.

One more thing – pitching wedge is, in fact, designed with the least amount of loft. It hardly makes the cut for being categorized as a wedge, to begin with. Yet another reason to upgrade!

  • Gap Wedge: The loft is higher in comparison to that of a pitching wedge, so the distance traveled by a gap wedge is somewhere between 90 yards and 110 yards. The perfect option indeed for those new to the game. Because of the optimally moderate-level bounce, launching the ball and getting the club under it become a lot easier.
  • Lob Wedge: If you wish to get the golf ball airborne easily, then place your trust in the lob wedge. The max. distance, in this case, is 70 yards.
  • Sand Wedge: Despite the fact that a sand wedge was primarily designed for gliding through sand and getting out of those dreaded sand bunkers, you can use this particular golf club in just about any setting. This includes soft and firm lies. An open-faced wedge gives you a distance of 90 yards max. Because of its widest sole and bounce angle, more and more beginners and high handicappers are incorporating a sand wedge in their golf club sets.

Everything You Need to Know About Buying the Best Wedges

Types of Wedges

Types of Golf Wedges
Golf Wedges Loft

There are 4 types of golf wedges.

  • Pitching Wedge – The most common wedge that is a part of standard golf iron sets. A pitching wedge is built with a loft between 44 degrees and 48 degrees. A long chip shot as well as a fat shot into the green is primarily made by a pitching wedge.
  • Gap Wedge – The gap filled between a pitching wedge and sand wedge takes the form of this type of wedge. Gap wedges, also known as utility or attack wedges, are also a part of standard iron sets. And the loft here is between 50 degrees and 53 degrees. A gap wedge is the most frequently used golf club for longer chips, fuller shots, three-quarter or half swing shots, and a variety of shots around the green.
  • Sand Wedge: The loft of a sand wedge is between 54 degrees and 58 degrees. And as the term suggests, this heavier, wider-soled wedge was created for getting out of sand traps and bunkers.
  • Lob Wedge: The highest loft now belongs to the lob wedge, which is between 60 degrees and 64 degrees. With extra spin and height, it’s the perfect golf club for shots close to the green. So you should avoid the lob wedge for full shots and use it instead for the flop, bunker, and chip shots.

Loft and Bounce

Now it goes without saying that the higher the loft, the greater the height of your shot. But, at the same time, distance gets compromised. So each type of wedge delivers different yardages. That’s precisely why it’s important to make sure your golf club set consists of optimally lofted wedges.

Generally speaking, 10-15 yards are traveled per 4-degree loft. And it’s more reliable to have at your disposal different loft angles to control distance than changing the way you swing or altering the club length.

A pitching wedge has the lowest loft, which is 44 degrees. As for the sand wedge, it’s lofted at around 56 degrees. That means it’s necessary to fill that gap between the two in order to gain some extra control on distance. So 3 different variations of lofts are perfect for beginners and high handicappers.

You can also look at this whole thing in terms of bounce as well. The bounce angle of a wedge lies between its sole and leading edge. That should explain why wedges don’t lie downright flat on the turf. It’s that part on the clubface that bounces or strikes the ground as you play your shot.

So what type of bounce, high or low, is best? Well, that depends on your golf swing. It’s also based on the kind of shots you play around those greens.

Lower bounce offers a flatter sole, thus works with a shallower swing. So if you tend to scoop the golf ball, then a lower bounce wedge (between 4 degrees and 6 degrees) is perfect for you. Firmer conditions, tight lies, bunkers, clean shots, etc. Scenarios that demand the use of lower bounce wedges.

On the other hand, high bounce (8 degrees and above) is often accompanied by a rounded sole and steeper swing paths. Those that strike down on the golf ball a bit much or generate slightly fat wedge shots benefit the most from a higher bounce angle. Thus, preventing the common mistake of digging very sharply into the turf or sand. Therefore, no more dragging.

Versatility and Control

These two factors are linked together because that’s how they naturally occur in the game of golf. Controlling the trajectory and spin is not the same throughout, because each wedge has a different loft angle, right? Nevertheless, all of them, due to their changeable loft settings, are incredibly versatile.

But a versatile wedge for you is one that allows you to comfortably control the trajectory and spin. If the wedge can perform in a broad range of scenarios, it’s an impressively versatile golf club.

Cavity Back vs. Blades

Cavity-back wedges are more commonly used simply because they pave the way for digging the golf ball more easily. On top of that, cavity-backs boost forgiveness, thus improving performance. After all, the clubhead is slightly larger.

These types of wedges are perfect to be included in a golf club set that consists of game-improvement irons, which are specifically made for golfers who are new and/or have a high handicap. But you can’t expect distance control from cavity-back wedges.

For that, nothing works better than blade wedges. Along with exceptional distance control, you also gain optimal feedback, feel, and workability. The simple, compact design, which is not as forgiving as cavity-back, is more fitting for golfers with a low handicap.

Grind

How the golf club sole is grinded or manipulated for changing the way the club touches and rests on the turf determines the grind. And it has a direct impact on club bounce. So when you have different grinds, you can take more versatile shots without interfering with the bounce factor of the wedge.

But beginners don’t really need to stress about this particular aspect. Because for most of them, the ultimate goal is to make sure the golf ball reaches the green in the least amount of strokes.

Finish

Does this really affect the feel of the golf club? If it didn’t, there wouldn’t be the following 3 most common types of finishes used…

  • Let’s start with the matte finish. It’s best to keep away the glare of the sun. But because of the thicker quality, ‘damping’ the response and feel of the golf club becomes inevitable.
  • Then there’s chrome, which is more responsive, in terms of feel, than matte. However, don’t expect any anti-glare action here.
  • The last option is the raw finish. This too provides a more responsive, softer feel. At the same time, there’s no sun glare to deal with, along with excellent rust-resistant and scratch-resistant properties.

Technology

With golf clubs, advanced technology is used in terms of mechanics, concentration, and physics. Combine this with proper technique and you gain the upper hand as far as performance goes.

For example, Cleveland Golf’s CBX 2 Wedge, which features Rotex technology and Feel Balancing technology. The former consists of the most aggressive clubface milling and sharpest grooves to deliver max. spin as well as short game control. As for Feel Balancing, it minimizes vibration to hand out a pure feel during impact.

Shaft

Most brands give you a standard steel wedge. But, as a high handicapper or beginner, if your swing speed is slow, then you should opt for graphite shafts all across your golf clubs. These, no doubt, allow you to increase the clubhead speed.

But then that works only in the case of full swing shots with your wedge. For shorter pitch and chip shots, on the other hand, it doesn’t matter what shaft you use.

Price and Value

You can buy wedges for $100 and less or $1,000 and more. Needless to say, the budget-friendly ones are no match to their expensive, branded counterparts. Not as far as features, technologies, and things like that are concerned.

But don’t let just price be the deciding factor when it comes to buying the best golf clubs. Because there are plenty of low-priced wedges outfitted with phenomenal elements that surpass performance expectations.

At the same time, ridiculously expensive wedges, priced at a whopping $2,000, turn out to be useless.

And if you’re a beginner or high handicapper, it would be wise to avoid spending too much money unnecessarily.

Top 9 Wedges Suitable for Beginners and High Handicappers

1. Cleveland Golf CBX 2 Wedge (Most Forgiving Wedge)

Cleveland Golf CBX 2 Wedge
GolferMens
Hand OrientationLeft, Right
Shaft MaterialSteel
Shaft FlexWedge
Shaft Weight115g
Loft46 degrees

You would be a special, lucky case if not struggling with your short game as a beginner and/or high-handicap golfer. But if you are, then know that it’s only common to do so. In that case, let us introduce you to Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge. It helps more than you can imagine as far as playing in rough is concerned.

Your handicap can be as high as is the most commonly recorded and you’re still bound to find this wedge incredibly forgiving. After all, it does have a hollow-cavity design just for that. Along with the V-shaped sole in the loft, which paves the way for cutting smoothly through that turf with no compromises in speed.

The V-shaping also makes it easier for you to open the clubface to bring more versatility into your short game while helping a little extra each time you find yourself in a sand bunker. And if you don’t like the V-shaped grind, then there are two other grind settings as well, namely the S-grind and C-grind.

But whichever grind option you choose, the CBX 2 wedge is sure to feel like an upgrade. After all, it’s the most recent update of Cleveland’s CBX wedge (also reviewed here). CBX 2 is a non-conventional, non-blade type of golf wedge perfect for high handicappers.

A golf club like this, even with its slightly heavier steel shaft, is easy to swing. You get the sweet spot every single time, which implies just how forgiving the whole construction of the wedge is. Perimeter weighting, after all, is popular precisely because it adds more forgiveness during impact.

Even the feel, at impact, is pure. Thanks to the vibration-reducing combination of Feel Balancing Technology and Gelback TPU Insert. You’d wish you bought it sooner!

Pros

  • Rotex Face technology for maximum short game control
  • Vibration-minimizing technology produces a pure feel at impact
  • 3 different dynamic sole grinds enable versatile play
  • Extremely forgiving extra perimeter weighting (hollow cavity)

Cons

  • Steel-shafted, thus slightly heavy to swing

2. Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge

Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge
GolferMens
Hand OrientationRight
Shaft MaterialSteel
Shaft FlexWedge
Loft60 degrees

Yet another highly recommended golf wedge for a beginner-level high handicap. Wilson here certainly helps to score better by getting the golf ball nearer to that pin. And the fact that the brand has included True Temper steel means you can rely on this club for boosting your short game performance.

But you see, it’s got the traditional blade design, which happens to be the most striking aspect of this Wilson Harmonized 60-degree lob wedge. The blade-style used for wedges, only when combined with a modified bounce angle too, leads to a standstill spin along with maximum versatility from the fairway, rough, and sand.

But do high handicappers need a lob wedge in the first place? To be honest, a lob wedge can actually save plenty of strokes, which is something high-handicap golfers look for, right? As a high handicapper, you’re most likely struggling with tight lies. Or maybe you end up producing large divots. So, at such times, a high-lofted wedge can really make it all easier.

On top of that, the specialized sole grind that Wilson has incorporated encourages the club to slip smoothly and cleanly through the turf when the clubface is open. Thus, helping you a great deal with your shots from the sand and rough. But what about a squared face? In that case too, the very versatile Wilson Harmonized seems perfect with full and chip shots.

But, no denying, it’s the classic, traditional blade structure that makes the wedge the easiest to hit, irrespective of the lie. So high handicappers can both improve their short game and, at the same time, have some more fun along the way. Plus, it’s a marvelous option if you’re a beginner and don’t want to spend too much money yet buy something that actually works.

Pros

  • Blade shape wedge with a high-polish finish
  • Customized bounce angles offer dead-stop spin
  • Sole grind opens the face more for higher, more accurate shots
  • True Temper steel delivers superior reliability and performance

Cons

  • 60-degree loft not so ideal for slow swing speeds
  • Poor quality grip

3. Autopilot C3i Wedge

Autopilot C3i Wedge
GolferMens, Women
Hand OrientationLeft, Right
Shaft MaterialSteel
Shaft FlexWedge
Loft65 degrees

Now, how about some awesome technology in the form of this Autopilot C3i Wedge!

It’s the perfect choice for beginners struggling with their short game. It, by no means, is a waste of a golf club in your bag just because of the higher loft angle, which is 65 degrees. A wedge like this is extra beneficial for those learning how to hit the golf ball high.

Using C3i on the driving range in order to get the feel is also the right thing to do. You can improve a crucial factor like versatility with this 65-degree wedge, which, in turn, is sure to make you a better player in the long run. So think twice before you decide to ditch the lob wedge.

Getting out of sand bunkers has never been easier; you can take my word for that. Even when used for short-range and long-range chipping, Autopilot C3i offers complete control. You’re most likely to also end up making a shot in the hole from 50-55 feet away.

If you care enough to have a look at the website of the company, you’ll see that they specify that C3i increases spin by around 55-percent in comparison to some of the top-rated traditional wedges. When the spin rate is so wonderfully high, all thanks to the tight grooves, you also gain greater control.

To be honest, I’m not going to verify the brand’s claim but I am definitely going to mention that the wedge produces high and soft shot shaping with a generous bite on the green. Along the same vein, the classic shape boosts confidence levels at address.

Much is said also about the extra-wide base of the club. Irrespective of the turf condition, the AutoGlide Xtreme Sole of C3i moves smoothly. Be it through the rough or sand. And when moving through the fairway, expect a lot of control and backspin as well. Even distance-boosting benefits are provided by the sole because it makes a crisper contact.

Speaking of which, the wide sweet spot, as with every other golf club, brings forth the much-needed forgiveness on mis-hits. So, in comparison to standard wedges, this one is bound to produce longer distances even with weaker shots.

And lastly, it conforms to golf rules, thus the C3i is tournament-friendly.

Pros

  • Specially-engineered, extra-wide lob wedge boosts confidence
  • Automatic-glide sole slices through sand without digging
  • High 65-degree loft shoots the ball high

Cons

  • Might feel too heavy for slow swingers

4. Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge (Best Cavity-Back Wedge)

Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge
GolferMens, Women, Senior, Junior
Hand OrientationLeft, Right
Shaft MaterialSteel
Shaft FlexWedge
Loft56 degrees

Callaway may have not made it to our top list of putters for high handicappers, but it certainly makes an appearance here. It indeed ranks among wedges best suited for high-handicap and beginner golfers because of the extremely forgiving cavity-back design.

Then there’s also the exclusive Groove-In-Groove technology for a greater spin. And the 4 different sole grinds that support various playing styles, course conditions, and attack angles. But let’s not get ahead so quickly.

Firstly, wedges that feature a cavity-back construction are also designed with components that enhance forgiveness and performance. In this case, it’s the more forgiving, wider sole grinds. So you sidestep the chances of digging into the turf, be it sand, rough, or fairway.

Then let’s talk about the special JAWS groove technology. These grooves have a more V-shape with a tighter edge radius. This makes the whole process of the clubface grabbing the golf ball cover much easier. And that promotes more spin for more control on your approach shots and also around the greens of course.

We can talk about the feel too, which is something that certainly deserves attention with Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge. Since its clubface is so highly forgiving, you don’t have to worry about the feel either. The cavity-back design and also the perimeter weighting work together to produce a rewarding clubface contact.

If anything, just don’t expect too much in terms of getting a buttery, deep feel as with the Callaway MD5 Wedge. In the same context, Mack Daddy CB is also slightly burlier and beefier. Even so, the wedge doesn’t look like the odd one out in a golf bag with players’ style irons.

Pros

  • Soft carbon steel wedge made for accuracy
  • Precise CG location and crisp turf interaction
  • 4 sole grinds for different attack angles
  • Groove-In-Groove technology produces more spin

Cons

  • A bit heavy, thus not the easiest to swing
  • Feel is not as pure and buttery as the others

5. Cleveland Golf 2018 Men’s CBX Wedge

Cleveland Golf 2018 Men’s CBX Wedge
GolferMens
Hand OrientationRight
Shaft MaterialSteel
Shaft FlexWedge
Loft50 degrees

Cleveland CBX 2 ranks as the most forgiving on this list because of its hollow-cavity design. So now let’s talk about its predecessor, the older model – the Cleveland CBX Wedge. And since it’s an older model (launched in 2017), the price is way more affordable than CBX 2.

Needless to say, this too is a lightweight, forgiving wedge perfect for slow swingers and high handicappers. Cleveland Golf CBX is specifically designed for golfers who prefer using cavity-back irons for getting the ball nearer to the hole.

So it provides you with the lift and forgiveness you need through the ground and even the versatility works to execute different types of shots. The extra perimeter weighting, in particular, is the feature that delivers the most amount of forgiveness on frequent mis-hits. Much like its successor, the CBX 2.

This wedge also features a V-shaped sole to make turf interaction smooth and friction-free. Before Cleveland, I don’t believe any other golf club manufacturer ever thought so hard about designing cavity-back wedges. And you know this to be true once you pull this wedge out of your golf bag and automatically notice an improvement in consistency.

And to be honest, it only makes sense to include cavity-back wedges if your irons are lighter and more forgiving. Agreed that the clubhead of Cleveland’s CBX wedges is slightly larger and the soles wider. But then that’s a wonderful thing for high handicappers and beginners alike because it makes the club even more forgiving, thus less punishing on mis-hits.

Moreover, the inclusion of Feel Balancing technology in the whole CBX series is responsible for “puring” the feel at impact. And with Cleveland’s Rotex Face, weaker golfers, in terms of skills, can gain maximum short game control and spin the most effortlessly.

I don’t think you can find a wedge that’s so feature-packed and technologically advanced and, at the same time, also so affordable. Plus, it’s an older model still up for grabs, which adds even more credibility to not just my review of CBX but the golf wedge itself.

Pros

  • Cavity-back wedge for forgiveness on off-center shots
  • Feel Balancing technology creates a solid feel at address
  • Wide sole plays better from loose sand and soft turf

Cons

  • Heavy-bottomed, thus minimizes ball flight control

6. Pinemeadow Wedge

Pinemeadow Wedge
GolferMens, Women, Senior, Beginner
Hand OrientationLeft, Right
Shaft MaterialSteel
Shaft FlexWedge
Loft52 degrees

It’s common to see beginners carrying just a pitching wedge for chipping around the green. So how about correcting this one of the most common blunders by including the Pinemeadow wedge!

No doubt, this golf club adds versatility and value to your set. Chipping up close starts to feel way more comfortable. And you even get the optimal loft whenever the situation arises.

To be honest, the lightweight-shafted Pinemeadow wedge here is a highly recommended choice for high handicappers. So if you’re a scratch golfer, then it’s best to choose another one with higher-performance grooves.

The shaft design consists of steel with a low to moderate level of kick-point. That’s how I know it’s perfect for beginners.

But then the shaft isn’t too lightweight; otherwise, graphite would be used. The inclusion of steel strikes the most ideal balance between too light and heavy. Because a little bit of weight, when it comes to wedges, does indeed allow you to strike down and through your golf ball more easily.

Needless to say, the clubface is certainly larger to correct those mis-hits you may be guilty of producing.

Now let’s talk about the elephant in the room, which is a comparatively much cheaper price. So just because the wedge is so low-priced doesn’t mean other major factors like the feel of the club get compromised. But then, obviously, expecting a Tour-level feel with this inexpensive Pinemeadow wedge is just irrational.

As long as you don’t indulge in any sort of comparisons here, your beginner set of skills and high golf handicap are sure to appreciate the largest clubface area of the Pinemeadow wedge.

Pros

  • Wedge with steel shaft, the same as irons, for more consistency
  • Expanded clubface area perfect for the toughest lies
  • Dark tumble finish looks visually appealing

Cons

  • Black finish prone to wearing off quickly
  • Too light to judge how far the shot travels

7. Callaway Sure Out 2 Steel Wedge

Callaway Sure Out 2 Steel Wedge
GolferMens, Women
Hand OrientationLeft, Right
Shaft MaterialSteel
Shaft FlexWedge
Loft60 degrees

Play a few rounds with Callaway Sure Out 2 Steel Wedge and you’ll soon grow fond of it. Especially if you’re already looking for a club that gets the golf ball high. And one that, at the same time, allows you to control the roll-out with a decent amount of accuracy. The accuracy factor here is commendable even when the clubface is wide open.

The combination of refined bounce angle and enhanced sole, in particular, is what promotes better playability, no matter the situation of your short game. The added weight here is sure to improve accuracy and overall spin.

With the help of 17 grooves, full-face that too, your ability to produce quick-stopping wedge shots receives a much-needed boost. With grooves like these, hindrances like moisture keep away from ruining the contact between your club and ball.

But what about this Callaway wedge (the second on the list) makes it so suitable for newbies and those with a high handicap? To be more precise, it’s the rounded leading edge. In fact, this particular feature is very useful for every golfer who struggles with hitting the ball accurately and easily.

On top of that, the sole is a lot wider with a larger heel/toe, which makes passing through sandy and rough areas more and more effortless. Furthermore, the shank-proof hosel transition is also perfect for solving the same problem of not being able to hit up and down in your short game.

Now let’s move on to a characteristic that doesn’t get talked about too often – the wedge grip. In this case, and with every Callaway wedge as a matter of fact, you get a Lamkin Step-Down grip. You have 3 different lines at your disposal as the step-down options. This means paving the way for adjustments based on the distance you want to achieve.

Speaking of options, there are different loft settings here. So if you don’t appreciate this higher-lofted 60-degree wedge, then how about the 56-degree version? But let me bring to your attention that a higher loft may narrow down your options in terms of shot versatility but it certainly produces a more precise short game performance.

Pros

  • Enhanced sole + refined bounce angle improve playability
  • Full-face grooves add shot-stopping, fast spin
  • Lambkin Step-Down grip hands out distance control

Cons

  • Too much bounce for grass shots

8. Cleveland Golf Men’s RTX 4 Wedge

 Cleveland Golf Men's RTX 4 Wedge
GolferMens, Women
Hand OrientationLeft
Shaft MaterialSteel
Shaft FlexWedge
Loft56 degrees

Cleveland RTX 4 differs from Cleveland CBX and CBX 2 wedges in that it has a traditional, more compact blade-style structure with minimal offset and an overall smaller profile for Tour-preferred performance. The weight of the Cleveland RTX 4 Wedge is perfect for generating greater spin. Then there’s also the ultra-durable anti-glare black satin finish.

The seamless muscle-back or blade design, which the brand has deliberately made more compact, along with the absence of offset, is indeed more suitable for better players. But then when these same features hand out greater feedback on off-center shots, high handicappers and beginners take notice.

The V-shaped grind option cuts through the turf more smoothly. It’s quite commendable even when the conditions are tight and firm. And the traditional mid-bounce works the best for producing full shots that are solid and pitch shots that are crisp.

It’s because of golf clubs like RTX 4 that Cleveland is such a popular choice for wedges. Cleveland wedges feature grooves that are as well-engineered as they come. Each groove, through the finishing technique, is protected. And just so you know, no other top brand offers this kind of an added advantage.

And thankfully, you can opt for the extra bounce with a higher loft if that’s the combination you normally choose when playing from the sand. Or if you prioritize forgiveness, which you obviously do as a high handicapper and/or beginner.

Just like Cleveland CBX and CBX 2, the key features include Rotex Face and Feel Balancing technology. The former consists of the most aggressive clubface filling and the sharpest grooves to create greater spin. While the shaping technology adjusts the CG progressively to enhance distance control and feel.

Cleveland wedges, no doubt, perform as advertised. So if you’re a golfer who chooses blades over cavity-backs, then do try Cleveland RTX 4. You’re most likely to appreciate the high spin level, narrow sole, and compact profile of this one.

Pros

  • Low leading edge made for tight conditions
  • Progressive back shaping works with all kinds of shots
  • Rotex Face technology adds more spin
  • Feel Balancing Technology is loft-optimized for more control
  • Ultra-durable, glare-free black satin finish

Cons

  • Not a soft-feeling wedge
  • Blade design isn’t very suitable for slow swing speeds

9. Autopilot xE1 Sand Wedge & Lob Wedge

Autopilot xE1 Sand Wedge & Lob Wedge
GolferMens, Women
Hand OrientationLeft, Right
Shaft MaterialSteel
Shaft FlexWedge
Loft55 degrees

Short approach shots are never easy when you’re a beginner or high handicapper. But what makes them easier to take on are wedges like these. This Autopilot xE1 golf club surely gets you closer to the pin. Attacking a green, no doubt, becomes a whole lot easier too.

With its revolutionary AutoGlide Sole (also present in the Autopilot C3i Wedge I’ve also reviewed) and high loft, the xE1 wedge allows you to get out of sand bunkers the most effortlessly. The re-positioned mass and extra-wide sole just slides through sand, minus any digging or skipping.

Moving on, the Square to Square method has made quite an entry since it adds more weight to the wedge to make alignment easy-breezy for weaker-skilled golfers. All you have to do is create a square setup and just swing. The most effective way to instantly save strokes without much practice!

Even the heel-toe weighting approach employed by this brand benefits beginner and high-handicap golfers by maximizing forgiveness through a larger sweet spot.

And just because your skills aren’t as developed as those of more experienced players doesn’t mean you can’t and shouldn’t get a good-looking wedge, right? In that light, the sleek, modern design of Autopilot xE1 is praiseworthy indeed. Plus, the high-tech feel and high loft just add to the visual appeal.

Low-handicap golfers definitely stay away from such wedges because they place limitations on the workings of a golf ball. But the same thing is a HUGE boon for high handicappers indeed.

Pros

  • High-loft wedge with AutoGlide sole to escape bunkers
  • Repositioned mass slides through sand with no friction
  • Square to square clubhead for easy alignment
  • Heel/toe weighting widens the sweet spot (i.e. more forgiveness)

Cons

  • Not very responsive, thus feel/feedback is poor

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Forgiving Wedges are Best for a High Handicapper?

Forgiving wedges, more often than not, have a cavity-back design with a leading edge that’s slightly thicker. This means they’re not your conventional blade-style wedges.

As to why this particular design is the most beneficial for high handicappers and beginners alike? Simply because most of them strike off-center shots. So, at such times, that extra element of forgiveness knows how to correct mis-hits.

Do High Handicappers Need a Lob Wedge?

Not many know this but lob shots come to the rescue when you struggle to play from bare or tight lies, which is something that high handicappers often struggle with. They’re also most likely to take large divots. So, in such sticky situations, a high-lofted wedge like the lob (but not more than 60 degrees) can really save you.

What Degree Wedges Should a High Handicapper Carry?

Since, as a high-handicap golfer, your primary concern is to get out of difficult bunkers, choose a wedge loft between 56 degrees and 59 degrees. Then for chipping over water, bunkers, obstacles, etc., go for a loft between 50 degrees and 56 degrees.

And lastly, for shooting from 30 yards to 100 yards, these should be wedges with a 58-degree loft down to 50 degrees.

Should a High Handicapper Use a 60 Degree Wedge?

The most fitting wedge for high-handicap golfers as well as beginners is the sand wedge (56-degree loft). But with a lob wedge, as long as the loft angle of this club is not above 60 degrees, it’s a practical choice for average golfers.

Finally, the End!

So the easiest wedges to hit for beginner and high-handicap golfers are those that improve the short game. They should be extra-forgiving with design elements, technologies, etc. that don’t highlight your common blunders. Because you’re only just learning the game, right?

The loft angle and the ability of the wedge to hit from the rough are crucial factors indeed. It’s very important that your wedge offers a higher level of bounce so as to avoid digging or skipping.

Maybe you can try all 4 different types of wedges just to get the feel of each one. And then based on what loft angles work in your favor, in terms of control and distance, you can decide. But then who’s got the time and/or patience to do that, right? So then ditch the whole idea and instead select from our carefully shortlisted golf wedges.

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