5 Best Lob Wedges for Beginner Golfers And High Handicappers

AT A GLANCE – THE TOP 5 LOB WEDGES FOR LOW HANDICAP GOLFERS (SEE ON AMAZON)

1. TOP PICK: Titleist Vokey SM8  Wedge
2. BEST FEEL: Mizuno T20 Golf Wedge
3. VALUE FOR MONEY: Wilson Staff Model Wedge
4. MOST VERSATILE: Callaway Golf JAWS Full Toe Wedge
5. MOST FORGIVING: Cleveland RTX ZipCore Wedge

1. TOP PICK: Titleist Vokey SM8  Wedge

SPECIFICATIONS

⛳️ The Titleist Vokey SM8 Tour Chrome Wedge enhances distance, trajectory, feel, and stability.

⛳️This wedge also has Spin Milled Grooves to provide players optimum spin, and revolutionary heat treatment will quadruple the grooves’ longevity.

⛳️MOI is increased by using a forward progressive CG.

⛳️ Spin Milled Grooves that have been thoroughly inspected.

WHAT WE THINK:

The channel on the backside of the SM8 will be particularly noticeable if you’re acquainted with earlier Vokey wedge models. The architectural elegance of the Vokey Design’s contemporary typeface is enhanced by its placement inside the channel.

There’s nothing like a familiar symbol to remind us of our favorite Vokey wedges. Titleist’s script, despite its relegation to the hosel, has a natural aesthetic.

Wedge models from Vokey come in four different finishes: tour chrome, brushed steel, jet black, and raw. Vokey’s WedgeWorks is hard to match when it comes to personalization and a lot of fun. For customization, the quantity of stampings, paint fills, ferrules, and even shaft bands to choose from is mind-boggling. WedgeWorks, on the other hand, allows you to fine-tune your game by customizing the loft, lie, length, and swing weight of your clubs.

With the Vokey SM8 wedges, ‘solid’ was the one word that kept coming to us on short, mid, and long shots. Solid in the sense of being regulated and steady, not in the sense of being hard as a block of granite. Even though we could tell when a ball was caught off-center, the amount of feedback we received was typical.

During short-distance chipping and pitching, the sound was sharp and clear. Mid to full shots seemed like the club face was grabbing the ball, which resulted in a sharp and ticking sound. The SM8 excelled at the point where sound and feel met, and that’s where the distinction could be experienced.

Using tungsten weight in the toe and varying hosel length, Vokey reinvented the center of gravity. The SM8 features a club face that tries to square up upon impact due to its greater MOI and forward center of gravity. We didn’t see any squaring up, but the ball went exactly where we wanted it to.

In pitching and gap wedges (46-52°) ) the center of gravity is low, and sand wedges (54-56°) had mid-center of gravity, while in lob wedges (58-62°) the center of gravity is high. Depending on the loft and designation of the wedge, the center of gravity changes. The distances and trajectories can be more reliably predicted because of  the progressive center of gravity design

Vokey wedges have always been known for their versatility, and the SM8 is no exception. It’s easy to match a grind’s purpose, swing style, and usual grass conditions with one of the six grinds offered by Titleist. Additionally, Vokey has a great online wedge picker tool for those who find the variations overwhelming. Work with a professional fitter if you can. The gapping we need in our short game is provided by our 50°, 54°, and 58° wedges. The pitching wedge was our go-to club, and the all-purpose F grind was easy to master from the fairway or rough. The S grind’s 10° mid bounce allowed us a lot of versatility on the 54° greens. Using the D grind at 58°, we were able to perform shots with great confidence and no worries about ups or downs.

The Vokey SM8 is a great choice for those who like a lot of spins. It’s no accident that the word Spin Milled is based on the concept of spin (SM). Designed to enhance spin while yet adhering to the regulations, each groove is thoroughly inspected. Two different groove patterns are used in Vokey wedges, one for 46-54° wedges and the other for 56-62° wedges. To provide even more spin to partial shots, every wedge has a micro-groove between the main grooves. On high shots, we enjoyed how the ball would halt, and on bunker shots, how fast it would grab.

The new Titleist Vokey SM8 wedges look great and play even better than their predecessors. The several grinds and lofts available on the SM8 wedges, designed by Bob Vokey and with feedback from Titleist tour experts, enable players to find the perfect fit. Wedgeworks, on the other hand, is a worthwhile experience for individuals who want a little personalization or customization.

WHAT CUSTOMERS THINK:

“The Titleist Vokey SM8 wedge has an excellent form that instills confidence behind the ball. The appearance of the leading edge is the second most essential element of a wedge in my opinion. For setup, I need to see a clear line from the hosel to toe. The SM8 wedges have a superb transition line, so I can place the club down behind the ball and know I’ll hit the ball cleanly from any lie. In comparison to prior versions, I like the SM8’s squarer appearance. I realize sitting in the bag isn’t that crucial, but that angle looks good as well. The slightly chopped-out contemporary flair of the “Vokey Design” looks great! I highly recommend it.”

“I bought these wedges about a month ago and I really love them. I had never played Vokey before, but after much study, I determined that they were the best on the market. My approach to play has much improved, and I believe it is due to the use of this wedge. I bought the 60-degree m grind, and it creates a lot of spins, causing the ball to sit and drawback. If you’re considering going to Vokey, don’t hesitate. It’s a terrific club. In roughly 8 games of golf and a few range days since getting this club, my scores have dropped from the near 100’s to the low to mid 90’s. I have a feeling I’ll be in my 80s shortly. I’ll also be ordering a 56 and a 52 from Vokey.”

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PROS

✅ Looked amazing at address.

✅ Consistent in terms of distance and flight.

✅ Produced major spin.

✅ A wide range of custom fitting options.

✅ You’ll be able to shed numbers off your score. 

CONS

❌ Pricey

2. BEST FEEL: Mizuno T20 Golf Wedge

SPECIFICATIONS

⛳️ Hydro flow micro-grooves: These laser-etched tiny grooves assist channel moisture away from the spinner for an optimal spin in wet situations.

⛳️ Weight is strategically positioned high and discretely inside a tapered blade for better spin and vertical stability from off-center hits.

⛳️ Grain flow forged HD: an improved grain flow forging method that enhances grain density in the impact region for the ultimate soft, solid, consistent feel Precision CNC milled grooves

⛳️ A dynamic gold Tour issue S400 wedge shaft and a Golf Pride grip are among the premium components. 60 circular grip with satin chrome or blue ion finish.

WHAT WE THINK:

So far, Mizuno’s T20 wedges have shown that Boron is the material of choice for increased strength and consistency.

The beveled top line was one of our favorite features. While still maintaining an air of cleanliness, it provides a boost of confidence. Even though it’s understated, we’re fans.

For us, the Blue Ion finish ranks among our favorites.

Keeping the badging to a minimum is one of the main reasons for the wedge’s beautiful and flowing lines. Because of the Boron, the Mizuno wedge will be a little more firm than many people anticipate from a Mizuno wedge. In ideal circumstances, this is not the greatest spinning club on the market, but the groove design shines when the going gets tough and wetness gets involved.

The T20 wedges may be the most beautifully formed and crafted wedges we have ever received for a review, but that’s just our opinion. ‘T’ stands for ‘teardrop’ and is a great illustration of the form. Some may not realize this. Wherever it may be, at address or in hand there is nothing out of place in terms of flow and lines.

Finishes on top of everything else are excellent. Even while Mizuno’s matte finish is still a top-notch one, and a Raw option is available in certain lofts, the reintroduction of the Ion Blue finish will attract the attention of most. Although it did seem to have some blemishes, this isn’t a surprise given the style of the finish. As a result, even with a lot of time spent on the golf course and bunkers, the equipment showed very little sign of wear. The blue will fade with time, but the contrasting face finish will make it seem neat no matter what happens. Overall, the selection of finishes is excellent, and when paired with Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400s and Golf Prize Z-Cords, the pricing is quite reasonable.

In terms of groove design, Mizuno has always been more imaginative than we believe they are. To enhance spin potential, they created their “Quad Cut” with an emphasis on accuracy in depth, breadth, and radius of the grooves. At the time, this was considered sophisticated technology. Add in the laser milling and the fact that the angle of them is modified based on the loft/application and you have a really sturdy face design going on.

Mizuno’s “Hydroflow Micro Grooves,” which are milled into the face before the club is plated in Satin and Blue Ion variants, are the real standout feature of the T20. In order to maintain the ball’s spin while playing in wet conditions, this design incorporates a funneling action to direct moisture up the face rather than into the gap between the ball and the face during contact.

Golfers have a wide range of preferences and demands when it comes to wedges, so they will always be a personal option. However, Mizuno’s T20 wedges are the best all-around wedges we’ve ever used. Yes, they have a solid sound and feel, which We believe Mizuno fans will appreciate.

WHAT CUSTOMERS THINK:

“The T20 was featured with the SM8, Jaws, RTX, and MG2. For me, this was the best all-around wedge. I was able to hit my yardages and play a variety of interesting shots around the green. It seems like the others all fell short in various scenarios. I chose the 56/10 and 60/06 alternatives. I like the grind around here. The ball explodes out of bunkers with a lot of spins, checks up on pitches, and spins a lot on flop shots. You may either open the club and keep the leading edge low, or you can go extremely upright and play to down chips. There’s a lot to work with here. I like that I didn’t have to pay extra to have S400s installed in the club; they provide the proper weight and feel for a wedge.”

“I got the blue ion 60-06 C-grind with the S400 shaft, and it plays well off hard grass and sand from the open position. A forged wedge that looks and feels great.

The wedge was shipped in the same manner and arrived in good condition.
I’m quite happy with the service and the wedge.”

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PROS

✅ Beautiful design

✅ Will complement current Mizuno iron sets

✅ Excellent all-around performance

✅  In the Wet vs. Dry test, it fared great in both

CONS

❌ Some might find it a bit chunky.

3. VALUE FOR MONEY: Wilson Staff Model Wedge

SPECIFICATIONS

⛳️ Wilson’s Staff Model wedges were created in collaboration with world-class tour players who provided direct input on design and performance.

⛳️ For players at all skill levels, the final result is confidence in their short game.

⛳️ 8624 Carbon Steel has a soft touch and a fantastic feel around the greens.

⛳️ The precision-milled face’s machine-engraved score lines have a greater density pattern for more consistent contact with the ball. As a result, every shot has maximum spin and control.

WHAT WE THINK:

The Wilson Staff Model Wedges are more of a workhorse than a showpiece. While their clean appearance is certain to get your attention, it is their performance that will retain it. Wilson has produced a great upgrade to their tour wedge series that is worth a swing, which is also available in a high-toe form.

The Staff Model Wedges are beautiful, clean, and a variety of other praise, and whoever developed them deserves some attention in our humble view. But do the aesthetics transfer into course performance? We spent almost a month trying one to figure out.

The Wilson Staff Model Wedges have excellent performance and feel. On full shots, we were seeing extremely high spin numbers over 10,000 RPMs, which provided constant carry distance and a lot of stopping force. Because of the machine-engraved score lines on the precision milled face, the excellent spin numbers carried over on more finesse, partial swing shots although plainly much lower. Best of all, despite utilizing a 56-degree wedge for the review, which is not generally a full swing club for us, we have surprisingly high confidence in full swings. Most significantly, we were able to effortlessly launch shots and adjust the launch window up and down. If you can pull it off, these wedges will deliver.

We also thought the adjustments to the standard shaft options were a good thing, as the new stock configuration (with True Temper Dynamic Gold 120 shafts) was exceptionally simple to square. We found ourselves hitting the Staff Model Wedges significantly closer to the pins. We never felt like we were battling the club, and it just appeared to square up better upon impact.

So, as previously said, the Wilson Staff Model Wedges are workhorse wedges that give a performance in a compact, attractive design. Because of the forged 8620 carbon steel, the sound and feel upon impact are very pleasant, both sharp and soft. As long as you enjoy the solitary grind choice, there isn’t anything to hate. 

The Staff Model Wedges lack many of the choices that golfers who use other manufacturers have been used to seeing, with just a few lofts and even less if you are a lefty, a single grind option, and a single finish. There are various alternatives that many people may want or need to see, whether it is attempting to match the wedge to the playing conditions or offering a little sole relief to open the face around the greens.

That being said, if you like the usual grind that Wilson offers, the Wilson Staff Model Wedges are wonderful all around and we highly recommend you give them a try if you are in the market. Finally, it is up to each individual golfer and maybe their fitter to choose if the one-grind-fits-all Wilson Staff Model Wedge is ideal for them.

To summarize, Wilson’s Staff Model Wedges are simply excellent at what they do and should appeal to the majority of players. Great-looking, great-feeling, and great-performing wedges, but with little choices for tailoring them to your game rather than the other way around.

WHAT CUSTOMERS THINK:

“I’ve used wedges from Mizuno, Hogan, Cleveland, and Vokey. I prefer forged wedges and irons, although I have used cast wedges as well. These aren’t the softest wedges I’ve ever used, but they’re close. The Wilson Staff tour model wedges provide an immediate response. If you miss the sweet spot by a hair, you’ll know, but the results are much superior to what you’d expect. When you flush it, you can expect it to fall precisely where you want it to. The weighting is perfect. It’s heavy enough to feel the head, but not so heavy that it’s dead weight. If you want to fly the ball down for specific shots, the high toe weight on the head is perfect. The sole grind is where these wedges truly shine. The absence of varied sole grinds has been the most prevalent complaint directed at this wedge series, but when you’ve nailed the right grind, why tamper with it? I have the 56* and 60* tour grind models and they are fantastic! Perfect hard par/tight lies! Fluffy/flyer lies- perfect! Perfect firm/wet sand! Perfect dry/fluffy sand! Perfect lob shots! Knock downs are excellent!!! If you thought Wilson Staff’s days as a high-end premium label was finished, you were incorrect. It’s possible that this is the finest buy I’ve made in years.”

“Because of my height (6’4″), I needed a wedge that could be readily moved upright 2 degrees.  Cast wedges have a limited capacity to bend. I was looking for a forged wedge. This one is lovely; it has a softer feel than the previous cast one, not to mention the simplicity with which it can be adjusted. Forging a wedge is more expensive, but it produces a better result in my opinion. Wilson deserves credit for being one of the few manufacturers to still provide a forged wedge.” 

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PROS

✅ Stunning design

✅ Excellent from bunkers

✅ Extra forgiveness is provided by the high bounce

✅ Affordable!

CONS

❌ There could have been more grind & bounce choices.

4. MOST VERSATILE: Callaway Golf JAWS Full Toe Wedge

SPECIFICATIONS

⛳️ Jaws Full Toe wedges combine full-face JAWS grooves, offset groove-in-groove technology, and an all-new raw face to provide you with the spin and control you need to hit every ball around the green.

⛳️ The Full Toe form has a larger face area and a higher toe peak. The shape works in tandem with the specific C-Grind to make short shots around the green, particularly bunker shots and high flops, easier to hit. This wedge is also designed to perform well on mid and full wedge strokes with good grass engagement.

⛳️ The Full Toe raises the center of gravity, resulting in a lower, more controllable trajectory. Our Variable Weight Port System assists us in locating the CG away from the heel, resulting in firm touch and improved feel.

⛳️  CUSTOM SHAFTSJAWS Full Toe Wedges come standard with a premium Lamkin UTx grip, True Temper’s newest Dynamic Gold Spinner steel shaft, or a Project X Catalyst graphite wedge shaft.

WHAT WE THINK:

The JAWS Full Toe is an evolution of the Mack Daddy and the original JAWS wedge, both of which were launched in 2019. It is intended to provide you with diverse control over all wedge strokes, including mid and full shots, flops, pitches, bunker shots, and chips.

This wedge has full-face JAWS grooves for maximum spin potential, as well as a specific C-grind and Full Toe shape for ease of use.

We will say it straight away: the JAWS Full Toe wedge will provide you with some of the greatest, most consistent spin performances you’ll find right now.

In fact, it has more spin than both the Mack Daddy CB and the JAWS MD5. Depending on the length and pace of the shot, the JAWS Full Toe may easily achieve spin speeds well over 10,000 RPM.

What’s more striking is how constant the spin is throughout the whole face; mis-hits yield RPMs that are virtually identical to center strikes. Furthermore, spin is predictable.

The JAWS Full Toe wedge, as previously stated, employs the C-grind. This is a versatile grind that can be used for anything from bunker shots to pitches from the rough and tight lies around the green. Indeed, the JAWS Full Toe excels in all of these categories.

Aside from the expanded face area caused by the high toe shape, the JAWS Full Toe wedge’s appearance is quite standard, and there isn’t much to say in this respect.

The design is reminiscent of the JAWS and earlier Mack Daddy versions, with four medallion weight ports at the base of the head. The wedge looks terrific at address. The JAWS Full Toe wedge features a soft and muted feel similar to its predecessors, but with a flare of sharpness and solidity on top.

Turf contact is typically excellent, and the C-Grind on the JAWS Full Toe is intended to significantly decrease toe and heel dig. However, since the bounce is low, golfers should be cautious not to come into the ball too steeply, as this might result in cutting or digging with the leading edge.

When it comes to mis-hit feedback, there is enough clarity, yet the feedback is neither unduly severe nor punishing. The feedback is primarily felt, albeit the sound gets a bit more muffled as you walk closer to the heel and toe.

The Callaway JAWS Full Toe Wedge is a versatile wedge that will appeal to a broad variety of golfers, including Tour professionals and lower handicappers, as well as mid and higher handicappers. This is due to the full-face design, which allows for excellent performance and spins on mis-hits, as well as the high toe, which enhances confidence and forgiveness.

WHAT CUSTOMERS THINK:

“When you first use this club, it will both save and cost you two strokes, at least until you figure out what it can and cannot accomplish. It WILL cooperate if you play it back in your stance and keep your wrist hinge to a minimum. If you attempt to strike it with a full swing, it will fight back. It’s fantastic if/when you can pull off that mile-high flop that glides over the bunker and lands like a butterfly, but you should practice before trying it during a competitive match. Good luck!”

“I now have the 60 and the 56, which are by far the greatest wedges I’ve ever had. Buy one, you won’t be sorry.”

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PROS

✅ Spin levels are superb

✅ Ball flight is consistent and controllable

✅ The grip is really soft

✅ Trendy appearance

✅ Gives high-confidence

CONS

❌ It seems to have a different shape at address than a standard wedge form, so it may take some getting used to

5. MOST FORGIVING: Cleveland RTX ZipCore Wedge

SPECIFICATIONS

⛳️ Revolutionary technology is required for revolutions. So Cleveland disassembled their signature RTX wedge and rebuilt it from the inside out. RTX ZipCore is now available.

⛳️ It raises MOI, adds spin, improves control, and improves consistency on all of your strokes by shifting the CG.

⛳️ These grooves are narrower, deeper, and sharper. They bite harder, channel more debris, and are closer together, resulting in greater groove contact per shot.

⛳️ A burst of heat may do wonders for the durability of a wedge. Finally, it means that you’ll enjoy your RTX ZipCore round after round.

WHAT WE THINK:

We all like the sensation of catching a clean drive, but a well executed short game shot is potentially just as satisfying. What is less debatable is that the bulk of strokes are saved by playing precisely from 100 yards and in and around the green. The new Cleveland RTX ZipCore wedge makes it easy to take complete swings from green-light distance in the fairway as well as greenside shots out of sand and rough.

To put it simply, they look terrific. The design is simple and contemporary. They are eye-catchers in the bag. The satin chrome finish has a timeless appearance and does not reflect sunlight like other chrome finishes do.

The form is in the Goldilocks zone at address. The blade length is neither too long nor too short, and the toe is neither too high nor too low. The front edge has just the slightest curve. It’s everything you’d expect from Cleveland, and gazing down at it gives you a sense of security.

The impact sound is a mid-range ‘click.’ We’ve hit forged wedges that make a higher pitched sound, as well as cast wedges that make a much lower, dull ‘thwack.’ The sound is really pleasing to us. The feel is as clean as it gets when hit correctly. Less-than-perfect strikes feel, well, less-than-perfect. While some may see this as a lack of forgiveness, we see it as useful input. 

We said that in the opening, but if your wedges aren’t saving you strokes, you’re probably not carrying the appropriate clubs. Are there various important aspects to consider while deciding on the best wedge for you? Without a doubt. However, given on our experience and self-identification as an average golfer, we believe the RTX ZipCore will fill that gap for many players.

The RTX ZipCore operated well straight away. During a round with consistently poor ball-striking, our wedges came through again and again. With an open-faced spinner from the fringe, an explosion from a greenside bunker, and a 65-yard birdie putt after blasting back into the fairway after a wayward drive.

When it comes to getting these wedges to work at their best, choosing the appropriate grind is critical. The RTX ZipCore comes in three sizes: Low, Mid, and Full. We picked the Low grind for the higher lofted wedges since some players create small divots with full blows, and it proved to be the correct decision. It’s really simple to open up and play a variety of shots with heel and toe relief. If you wish to experiment with different grinds, Cleveland’s website includes an useful grind selection tool.

Another part of the club’s performance that we’d like to highlight is the new Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Spinner shaft. It’s encouraging to see Cleveland paying more attention to the shaft that goes into their premium wedges and delivering a stock product that’s a step above from what’s normally available from large OEMs in the past. It feels very smooth and steady while swinging.

The Cleveland RTX ZipCore is a one-of-a-kind product. A stunningly designed and produced wedge from a brand whose name has become associated with high-quality wedges. Grind choices for every swing style. The outcomes speak for themselves.

WHAT CUSTOMERS THINK:

“This wedge is fantastic. The club head has a terrific weight that allows it to glide effortlessly over sand, tough, or any other substance. The face generates a lot of spin, and the bounce is ideal for the greens I play on. I am a mid-80s player, but this team has the potential to alter that. It has unquestionably enhanced my game by two strokes by bringing me closer to the hole and providing me greater control from the fairways.”

“Finally got to utilize these two clubs and they are wonderful right now, hit and stuck the greens like never before, would definitely suggest them, thanks Cleveland.”

See what else others have to say about this item…

PROS

✅ Looks elegant and unobtrusive.

✅ Plenty grind possibilities.

✅ There are three beautiful finishes to select from.

✅ Remarkably forgiving.

✅ Remarkable at address.

✅ Consistent performance.

CONS

❌ Could have added more spin.