Best Pitching Wedge for Beginner Golfers & High Handicappers
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Choosing the best pitching wedge for all of the various shots you’ll have to play approaching and around the green might be challenging. As a result, most individuals carry different types of wedges so that chip shots, bump and run shots, flop shots, bunker shots, and everything else may be played as required.
Pitch shots are another highly particular shot that should be included in that, so having the best pitching wedge for you is also extremely crucial particularly if you’re a beginner golfer or high-handicapper. Getting up and down from 100 yards and in, or hitting more greens from that distance, will undoubtedly help you shoot lower scores.
A pitching wedge loft should be between 42° and 46°, however, it may sometimes deviate on either side of this range. The most significant option here is whether to utilize the pitching wedge iron that came with your iron set or a specialty wedge with a loft within that range.
Knowing you have the appropriate loft and club here, it can provide you with details on your gapping with your gap wedge, sand wedge, or lob wedge. That way, you’ll know you’re not going to have two wedges that do the same thing.
Simply said, you must have confidence in the pitching wedge you have in your bag. It serves as a critical connection between the irons and the wedges, as well as being one of the most adaptable clubs in the bag for chipping, pitching, and full strokes.
Most iron sets include their own pitching wedge. Because the pitching wedge is typically a full swing club, this makes perfect sense. But if you find you MUST replace your pitching wedge, then keep on reading!
We will cover the pros, cons, and characteristics of each pitching wedge, as well as our suggestions, in our review of the best pitching wedges for beginner golfers and high handicappers.
AT A GLANCE – THE TOP 5 BEST PITCHING WEDGES FOR BEGINNER GOLFERS & HIGH-HANDICAPPERS (SEE ON AMAZON) | |
1. TOP PICK: Cleveland Golf CBX 2 Wedge | |
 | SPECIFICATIONS ⛳️ HOLLOW-CAVITY DESIGN - Greater weight dispersed around the perimeter provides more forgiveness upon impact.
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WHAT WE THINK: | |
The Cleveland CBX 2 wedges provide greater spin, flexibility, and forgiveness not just for the beginner golfer but for the average, everyday golfer as well. The Cleveland CBX 2 wedges offer a bigger sweet spot that allows golfers of all skill levels to hit pure wedges with ease. This is accomplished by the use of a lighter hosel, a tapered flange, a wider toe, and a hollow cavity design. The hollow cavity shifts the center of gravity to where you strike the ball.
The CBX 2 uses the same groove technology as the previous RTX-4 model, which is practically grooves on top of grooves on top of grooves. Expect a lot of one hop and stop spin with so many grooves to build grip on the golf ball. The CBX 2 employs numerous distinct types of grooves. They boast Tour Zip Grooves that cut through grass and debris to provide greater spin from the rough. They also feature centered Rotex milling, which increases friction between the grooves for increased spin. Furthermore, the laser milling function adds roughness all the way to the limit, making it simple to get your wedges to check up swiftly.
Cleveland offers a C-shaped grind for the lob wedges (between 58-60 degrees) that will provide you greater versatility greenside. When you want to open the face and hit a high shot from a tight lie, the C-shaped grind makes it simple.
True Temper shafts are 10g-20g lighter than standard blade wedge shafts, providing a much better experience for higher handicap golfers. The shaft is designed to mimic the feel of your cavity back irons, allowing you to easily transition from your complete set of irons to your wedges. Cleveland CBX 2 wedges are cavity back wedges designed for cavity back players. We can honestly state that in all our years of golfing, we've never seen a more forgiving collection of wedges. With these wedges, Cleveland discovered a way to combine forgiveness and playability. Despite the fact that the wedges are quite forgiving, they still have a lot of technology to set up tremendous scoring possibilities. These wedges are designed to generate a lot of spin while still providing forgiveness. Furthermore, the redesigned True Temper wedge shaft allows for a seamless transition from irons to wedges. | |
WHAT CUSTOMERS THINK: | |
"I'm a 13 handicap who uses cavity back irons. My primary issue is 100 in as well as the occasional chunked or skulled wedge, so I figured I'd give the CBX2 a go. I used to play a Cleveland Rotex 2.0 588 wedge, which is a blade. This wedge has a comparable feel at address and travels the same distance on full swing as my prior 56-degree wedge, but the primary difference is that it produces more "good misses." There were many shots from 25 in that I would have chunked or skulled the iron, but with this wedge, the ball went up in the air and made it to the green. It's not a flawless shot by any means, but it's a lot more forgiving, which will hopefully lead to a higher score (assuming I can putt). Overall, it performs as claimed, and anybody with a handicap of more than 8 should be using a "game enhancement" wedge like this one. Five stars!" | |
PROS ✅ Superb all-around wedge. ✅ A forgiving head is less difficult to strike than a bladed wedge. ✅ Provides high confidence at address. ✅ Excellent value for money. ✅ Surprisingly efficient spin rates. ✅ Almost all golfers of different skill levels will find it suitable. | CONS ❌ Some low-handicappers might find it a bit chunky. |
 | SPECIFICATIONS ⛳️ Classic finish with a high polish and a classic blade design. ⛳️ This club is ideal for getting your ball near to the pin. ⛳️ True Temper steel irons for exceptional performance and dependability. ⛳️ Sole grind enables players to open the clubface farther, allowing them to hit higher shots with greater precision to improve performance. ⛳️ Blade design with altered bounce angles for dead stop spin and adaptability in the sand, rough, or fairway. |
WHAT WE THINK: | |
If you play golf on a frequent basis, you will undoubtedly notice a difference in your game while playing this wedge. The careful placement of aggressive grooves is one of the defining features of this club.
When you utilize the wedge when the clubface is square, you'll be able to effortlessly produce chipping and full shots from the fairway. It's a very flexible club. Although some users would want a larger grip, the grip is still excellent. With a strong grip on the club, you'll undoubtedly feel more optimistic and confident while handling the ball.
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WHAT CUSTOMERS THINK: | |
"I am a 3 handicap and love these wedges. I needed new wedges and wanted to test a different setup with the 50, 56, and 60 to see how the yardage gaps worked for me. I didn't want to spend $350 on a new pair of wedges just to be disappointed with the yardages, so I got these to test them out, and to my surprise, they'll be in my bag for a long time.
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PROS ✅ Beautifully polished finish. ✅ True Temper is made of steel iron, which makes it long-lasting. ✅ The sole grind supplied allows players to modify the opening of the face for greater accuracy. ✅ The bounce angles guarantee that the golf wedge performs effectively across a variety of terrain. ✅ Aggressive grooves that enhance the spin. ✅ Inexpensive. | CONS ❌ The grip isn't very large, and some players may feel the need to change it. |
 | SPECIFICATIONS ⛳️ This MAZEL chipper wedge is specifically developed for golfers who struggle with their short game, successfully eliminating thin and fat chip shots from the fringe and around the green as compared to regular irons, giving you more confidence and rapidly improving short game.
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WHAT WE THINK: | |
The Mazel Golf Chipper is intended to provide a unique solution for the game of golf around the greens. The shallow profile head has a wide sole, making it one of the most forgiving wedges available, and the beveled leading edge should aid in the club's ability to cut through the grass without digging.
During our testing, we battled the most with pitch and bunker shots. We felt that the lie angle was forcing the shots to move left, and we didn't have as much control with the Mazel Golf Chipper as we had with ordinary wedges while making a greater swing.
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WHAT CUSTOMERS THINK: | |
"I never imagined I'd purchase an "as seen on TV" club since they seem so gimmicky. Then I read reviews from three YouTubers I follow and respect who really wanted to trash this club on their channels but couldn't since they were so pleased. So I got it (you can find Rick Shiels and Mrshortgame on YouTube).
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PROS ✅ Outstanding chip and run shots. ✅ Impact position is always square. ✅ Extremely forgiving. ✅ For optimal outcomes, you can use a putter stroke and grip. ✅ Shorter shots need less guessing. | CONS ❌ It lacks the versatility that some other wedges provide. |
 | SPECIFICATIONS ⛳️ Groove-In-Groove Technology provides even more spin.
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WHAT WE THINK: | |
For a wedge, the Mack Daddy CB wedges have a lot of forgiveness. The thick soles and W-grinds assist to minimize digging into the grass, while the low face performance is excellent due to the lower center of gravity.
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WHAT CUSTOMERS THINK: | |
"I purchased the wedges in 46, 50, and 54 degrees with standard flex graphite shafts. They have a great grip on the greens, which is just what I was hoping for. They're quite forgiving and cover roughly the same ground as my previous wedges. I'm quite pleased with my buy. I also purchased Callaway Mavrik Max irons." "I have de 46 degrees and 56 degrees. I have a 12 handicap, and these two clubs are my most reliable. I used to be an 18 handicap before I got these clubs. They've been quite beneficial to my short game. The 46 serves as a substitute for my pitching wedge, which was missing from the used iron set I acquired. This has been found to be forgiving and smooth. I would suggest them to anybody who wants to improve their short game." | |
PROS ✅ Tremendous amounts of forgiveness. ✅ Rightfully deserves the Mack Daddy title. ✅ A longer grip is a fantastic idea. ✅ From bunkers, it's really simple to use. ✅ Excellent for increasing turf interaction. ✅ Great for improving your short game. | CONS ❌ Not a lot of grind and bounce options. |
 | SPECIFICATIONS ⛳️ Premium wedge with excellent spin, feel, and control. ⛳️ QUALITY - Made of the best stainless steel for a soft feel and improved feedback. ⛳️ SHAPE - A traditional head shape with a big groove design for greater control and spin. ⛳️ UPGRADED COMPONENTS - High-quality components, including a soft compound MacGregor grip for improved traction and feel. Steel shaft with a wedge flex. |
WHAT WE THINK: | |
There's a lot to like about MacGregor's MACTEC X wedge, with some characteristics likely to appeal to not only beginner golfers and high-handicappers but to advanced golfers as well. First and foremost, the traditional head design is stunning, as are the finishes - black, gunmetal, and chrome. Then there's the outstanding feel, which comes from the wide grooves and soft compound MacGregor grip. Given they're reasonably priced, these wedges are an excellent choice for any beginner wanting to build their first wedge set. | |
WHAT CUSTOMERS THINK: | |
"Excellent value. It's really well-made and looks as beautiful as it works." "The club is well-built and feels nice in the bunkers, rough, and fairways. I don't have any issues." | |
PROS ✅ Incredible soft feel.
| CONS ❌ Some might find the head a bit heavy. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a golf wedge?
Loft distinguishes a wedge from an iron. The loft of the 9 iron is typically approximately 44°. Anything more than 45° is called a wedge.
Wedges, depending on your swing speed, may be utilized on fuller shots from 140 yards. It is often said that a wedge should not be played with full strength. Wedges are designed to be used for controlled shots rather than power shots. Their goal is to bring you near to the hole, not to transport you great distances.
The greater the loft, the higher the ball flight and, in many cases, the more spin.
When do we need to use golf wedges?
Personally, We like a pitching wedge for greenside chipping, a lob wedge from the sand, and a sand wedge for ¾ approach shots and rough chipping.
The option is yours, and there is no right or wrong way to determine what works for you, but beginning with the best pitching wedges for high handicappers and beginners listed above can make your life a lot simpler.
Within 100 yards, we also use wedges. This is the most crucial aspect of golf, and most experts will tell you that if they take over a 24 handicapper’s game within 100 yards, the 24 handicapper will playoff no more than a 12 handicap.
With the right wedge and a lot of practice, you can shave strokes off your score. Spend some money on a wedge and see how fast you can nip and tuck a stroke from the bunker here, a chip there, and some more from inside 100 yards here and there.
What are the four types of golf wedges?
Pitching Wedge (PW)
The pitching wedge is the most common and has a loft of 44° to 48°, which you will find in your iron set. These are ideal for chipping on the green.
Gap Wedge (GW)
50° to 53°, which bridges the gap between PW and SW for when you need to close the distance gap. You will need to get this separately because most good high handicap iron sets don’t come with one. Because most decent high handicap iron sets do not include one, you will need to purchase one individually.
Sand Wedge (SW)
Sand wedges often have 54° to 58° loft and thick soles with 10° to 12° bounce, making them ideal for bunkers and shots inside 100 yards. The thick sole aids in gliding over longer grass and sand while also launching the ball into the air from shorter grass. A sand wedge is, in our view, the best wedge for high handicappers and beginners.
Lob Wedge (LW)
The lob wedge, with a loft of 60° to 64°, is ideal for striking over bunkers surrounding the green, as well as short bunker shots inside 80 to 90 yards. It may improve your game by letting you take larger strokes within 100 yards instead of those troublesome half swings with sand wedges! Over 60° lob wedges are impractical for the average golfer.
What kind of golf wedges do I need?
Most high handicap golfers (handicaps greater than 18) can have good play with the three primary wedges: pitching wedge, gap wedge, and sand wedge. The lob wedge isn’t necessarily needed, but as you progress as a golfer, it’s worth exploring to add some variety to your short game.
We carry all four wedges with us, but the Pitching Wedge is the one we use the least. Depending on the scenario, different wedges will benefit you.
As a real beginner, you may get by with only the pitching wedge and sand wedge, but these are the minimum wedges you should have in your bag. Carrying three or four wedges is the best decision; as your golf game improves, you’ll have all the tools you need to perfect your short game.
Should lob wedges be carried by beginners or high handicappers?
We believe the answer here is that it depends on the circumstances. A lob wedge provides a new dimension to your chipping and pitching game, and it is especially useful when you are in a tight lie with limited space to run the ball. A lob wedge will generate a high, soft shot with a lot of spin. The disadvantage of using lob wedges in the hands of a beginner or high handicapper is that it is simple to chunk a shot or hit a terrible miss well over the green.
If you have a high handicap, we wouldn’t advise using your stock chipping or pitching club as a lob wedge. But on the other hand, they’re fantastic for sand, deep rough, and tight lies. Take your time!
What should the angle of my sand wedge be?
If you follow this basic setup, you should have 4 degrees between each wedge; your sand wedge should have 4 degrees higher loft than your gap/approach wedge. In this case, 54 to 56 degrees is rather common.
That being said, the manner you utilize your sand wedge may also indicate the loft you want. If you solely use your sand wedge from the sand, a slightly higher lofted club, like a 58 or 60-degree wedge, may be preferable.
If you want to chip and pitch around the green with your sand wedge for a little higher trajectory pitch shot, stay with a 54 to 56-degree sand wedge, as they are considerably simpler to deal with and less risky in the hands of a high handicapper.
