Wedge Buying 101: Where to Start

With the wedge club category full of everything from uniquely named wedges with highly specific grind options, to easy-to-hit clubs designed to simplify the short game, it can feel like a confusing process to find the right ones for you, especially as a beginner to intermediate player.

So with the aim of making your next wedge selection process as simplified as possible, we’ve put together an easy-to-follow guide to help you narrow down your choices and point you in the right direction based on your needs. Let's dive in.

Looking for simplicity?

If you’re a golfer who’s looking to save a few shots around the green without grinding in the practice area for hours every week, there are wedges on the market that can help speed up the decision making process and quickly add confidence.

Rather than trying to mix and match lofts and figure out bounce options that are going to work best with your technique (honestly, that stuff can get overly complicated very quickly) if you’re just trying to break 100 for the first time, the wedges that match your set are more than likely the best option. Especially if you’re already using a game improvement style set, those matching wedges will have wider soles and loft gaps designed to help you produce your best results.

Now, if your set doesn’t come with a sand wedge, or you want something with a bit more face technology to generate extra zip on those short game shots, a cavity back wedge is the ideal fit to provide forgiveness. Great options in this category include the Cleveland Smart Sole Full-Face sand wedge, or the Callaway CB wedge.

*Every product is independently selected by editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

Also, let me offer a quick public service for anyone who’s just starting out, or just looking to make things easier around the greens: don't get a lob wedge! They can often cause a lot more harm than good and encourage bad techniques because of the unforgiving nature of all the added loft.

Your ideal short game setup

Matching iron set pitching wedge (43-46 degrees of loft)

Matching iron set gap wedge (48-50 degrees of loft)

Forgiving sand wedge (54-56 degrees of loft)

Bonus clubs: If you struggle with chipping and want to make it even easier, a dedicated chipping club like the Chipr from Ping or the Smart Sole Full-Face chipper from Cleveland is a fantastic option.

Looking for forgiveness and versatility?

If you’re usually breaking 100, there is a good chance you’ve come to rely on a couple of easy to repeat shots around the green and thats great! This type of consistency can open a door to picking particular wedges to make those shots easier and give you extra control.

You’re more than likely still going to benefit from your matching set pitching wedge, but now its time to start asking questions about those other wedges. Do you only hit full shots with your gap wedge or do you like to pitch with it? If pitching is the answer, than its time to consider a specialty gap wedge to provide more versatility.

As for the rest of the wedges in you bag, now is a great time to talk with a club fitter to help point you in the right direct with sole designs (grinds) to help match your your preferred shots and course playing conditions.

If you’re looking to expedite this process and don’t have close access to a fitter, than the next best thing is to use one of the many available wedge selection tools provided by equipment manufacturers. Ping, Cleveland, and Titleist all offer fantastic self guided tools built to help you through the process for free, and if you really want you can even cross reference them to see how difference sole designs compare across brands.

Your ideal short game setup

Matching iron set pitching wedge (43-46 degrees of loft)

Matching iron set gap wedge (48-50 degrees of loft) if you’re only using it on full shots, or specialty if you use it more around the green.

Specialty sand wedge (54-56 degrees of loft)

Specialty lob wedge (58-60 degrees of loft)

Bonus clubs - As much as some more seasoned golfers might not like to admit they struggle, a dedicated chipping can still be part of the selection process, especially you have have room in your 14-club setup. As previously mentioned the Chipr from Ping or the Smart Sole Full-Face chipper from Cleveland.

Looking for ultimate control?

If you’re a golfer who carries a full repertoire of short game shots and is constantly looking for every edge around the greens, then it's time to get a bit more detailed when it comes to your wedges. It's time to be Wedge-ucated (sorry).

The first thing you’re going to want to do when it comes to selecting your wedges is think about your pitching wedge. There is certainly nothing wrong with the pitching wedge that matches your iron set, but by matching your pitching wedge to the rest of your wedges you get a more versatile club, and in most cases more face technology for stopping power.

From there, a four-specialty-wedge setup (Pitching/Gap/Sand/Lob) will ensure that you have the ability to hit any shot you may encounter. As for getting specific on grinds, the best way to know for sure is to go for a proper wedge fitting using a launch monitor with a fitter who will guide you through the selection process all the way down to shafts.

This process includes talking about your normal playing conditions, sand types, go-to shots, and combining that with impact data to find the best fits for each wedge. If a fitting is off the table then the aforementioned manufacturer wedge selection tools are a wonderful option.

Your ideal short game setup

Specialty pitching wedge (45-46 degrees of loft)

Specialty gap wedge (48-50 degrees of loft)

Specialty sandwedge (54-56 degrees of loft)

Specialty lob wedge with grind to fit your technique (58-60 degrees of loft)