The Best Sand Wedge for Beginner Golfers and High Handicappers
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One of the most common pitfalls that beginner golfers make when setting up their golf bags is failing to include clubs with loft.
If you don’t have a sand wedge in your bag, you’re making it difficult to improve your skills as a golfer.
A sand wedge, in addition to your pitching wedge, is a must-have for the everyday golfer. It has enough loft to create a fast spin and halt your ball swiftly on the green. Furthermore, it has less loft than a lob wedge, allowing you to hit full short approach shots.
The purpose of this post is to assist you in determining the best sand wedge to help you improve your short game. With the right equipment and enough practice, you can strengthen your up and down % and walk away with a lower score.
AT A GLANCE – THE TOP 5 BEST SAND WEDGES FOR BEGINNER GOLFERS & HIGH-HANDICAPPERS (SEE ON AMAZON) | |
1. TOP PICK: Cleveland Golf CBX 2 Sand 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.
Think twice if you're concerned that a cavity back won't have the same grooves as other wedges. 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.
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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!" "PURCHASED: 52 degrees, 11-degree bounce, steel shaft I am a low single-digit handicapper who has been playing golf for almost 40 years. I use forged Mizuno irons with steel shafts - not blades, but neither are they game improvers.
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PROS ✅ Superb all-around wedge.
| CONS ❌ Some low-handicappers might find it a bit chunky. |
SPECIFICATIONS ⛳️ Built standard with high-grade Apollo(R) Pinemeadow steel, a 125-gram shaft with a low to mid kick point for the same $19.95 price, this club is ideal for the beginner to the average golfer.
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WHAT WE THINK: | |
Choosing a new wedge as a beginner golfer might be tricky. There are several alternatives, and certain concepts, such as bounce and grind, are difficult to grasp. It's difficult enough to figure out how many lofts you'll need.
The Pinemeadow wedge is available in black. This is one of the things we don't like about this wedge. The finish wears off quickly, and we almost wish they had simply built these clubs in a basic, more lasting finish. The Pinemeadow wedge is not intended for players with low handicaps. The shafts aren't heavy enough, and the grooves aren't high performance enough to meet the demands of a scratch golfer. Each club must cater to individual players; this one is ideal for a beginner golfer or a high handicapper. This wedge's shaft is a 125-gram steel shaft with a low to mid kick point. This shaft is suitable for beginner golfers since it is not too light. You need a wedge with a bit of additional weight to assist you to strike down and through the golf ball. This wedge has a larger face area than practically any other type on the market. The Pinemeadow wedge is also available at a 68-degree loft, which is quite rare. Others wedge manufacturers stop creating clubs at 60 degrees, some go to 64 degrees, and very few go to 68 degrees. For a player who has trouble getting over the lip of a bunker, we recommend the 68-degree variation. The generous amount of loft on this club should make it much simpler to get out.
There is nothing about the appearance, sound, or feel of this wedge that can be described as inferior if you are not comparing it to other more performing choices. The prices on these Pinemeadow golf wedges are too good to be true. They are less expensive than practically any other wedge available on the market. Some may wonder whether they are too inexpensive and of poor quality. The black coating on the clubhead is likely to wear off with time, but the overall shaft, grip, and clubhead make this golf club a terrific bargain. | |
WHAT CUSTOMERS THINK: | |
"My uncle just installed a putting and chipping green in his backyard. We were messing around hitting flop shots with my 62 and thought it seemed really lofted, so we wondered how much loft you could achieve. So we came across this baby, purchased it, and oh my god... it's so much fun once you get accustomed to it."
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PROS ✅ If you're on a tight budget, this is an excellent choice.
| CONS ❌ The finish wears off quickly. |
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.
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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.
| CONS ❌ The grip isn't very large, and some players may feel the need to change it. |
SPECIFICATIONS ⛳️ The MG2's face has numerous innovative technologies designed to enhance spin. With sharper, narrower, and deeper grooves on the face, as well as laser etching, the ZTP RAW Groove Design is created for an increased greenside spin.
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WHAT WE THINK: | |
If your current wedge often skids, check out the TaylorMade Golf MG2.Raw face technology is used in this TaylorMade wedge. As a result, the usage of ZTP RAW groove design produces deep and sharp grooves.
The milled grind sole of the TaylorMade Golf MG2 is revealed upon closer inspection. It produces a higher degree of accuracy and consistency than the hand carafe sole. When put to the test on the golf course, the MG2 exhibits optimal interaction with the turf. The head of the Taylormade wedge has an even distribution of thick and thin sections. As a result, the wedge's center of gravity is strategically placed. This improves the ball's feel and flight. Furthermore, TPU inserts are used in the back cavity. This has a dual purpose of enhancing vibration dampening while also boosting performance. | |
WHAT CUSTOMERS THINK: | |
"I love these wedges! My old Callaway wedges were roughly 15 years old and in desperate need of replacement. I got 52 and 56 degrees. The textured bounce and RAW face are fantastic...it seems like the club glides over the grass and the ball sticks to the clubface upon impact. I chose the Nippon wedge shaft, which is heavier than the Nippon shafts I use on my irons. For greater feel, I like a thicker shaft in my wedges. These wedges are excellent for full shots and even better for putting. I highly suggest it." "I love the spin I get from these wedges. I occasionally feel like Dustin Johnson when I hit my TP5x golf ball with these wedges and watch my ball back up on the green. However, I quickly discover that I'm not winning tournaments or making a lot of money since I'm still shooting 12-15 over par. But it's not the wedges that are keeping me from shooting under par. My uneven full swing, as well as poor execution and decision-making, are to blame for my failure to break par. My chipping game has improved as a result of these wedges. Purchase a Taylormade Milled Grind 2 Wedge for yourself! You will not be dissatisfied!" | |
PROS ✅ Has excellent spin and control on partial shots.
| CONS ❌ Clubface may be too rough. |
SPECIFICATIONS ⛳️ The style and performance that keen golfers desire is provided by less glare and excellent finishes.
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WHAT WE THINK: | |
The Cleveland RTX 4 Wedge addresses a problem that many players have while shopping for wedges. The difference between a sand wedge and a pitching wedge included with your iron set might make it difficult to play a range of shots. Golfers may now swap the lower lofted wedges in their set with something more adaptable from the fairway and other lies thanks to the Progressive Shaping function.
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WHAT CUSTOMERS THINK: | |
"Cleveland rtx4 wedges are the best, period. The spin provided by this face has convinced me to switch from Taylormade wedges to Cleveland wedges. On command, the ball comes to a halt after one hop. All I have to do now is find a suitable landing location. In 2019, I'll be using a 52mid 56full 60low Cleveland rtx4 set. The smooth finish on the tour looks fantastic. Anything about the feel is superior to everything else. I purchased one to check it out and then returned for the whole set. This club selection has restored my faith in my short game."
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PROS ✅ Very forgiving wedge particularly on off-center hits.
| CONS ❌ If you're not used to high spin rate wedges, you'll need to make readjustments. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How far should a beginner hit a sand wedge?
For beginners, the pitching wedge should hit the ball 60 to 80 yards, 100 to 125 yards for average players, and 115 to 135 yards for pros. The sand wedge distance should be between 40 and 60, 80 and 100, and 90 and 115.
Is a sand wedge necessary for a beginner?
In a nutshell, absolutely. Every beginner golfer should carry at least one sand wedge in their bag. While no one expects you to spend a fortune, cheap solutions such as the Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge make it simple to have one on hand.
What degree wedges should a high handicapper have in his bag?
High handicappers should have at least a 56-degree wedge in their bag. It’s also a good idea to have a 52-degree wedge and a 60-degree wedge for a range of shots. The loft gapping in the set is something you should be aware of. As much as possible, avoid leaving huge loft gaps between clubs.
On a sand wedge, how much bounce should I have?
Though there are hundreds of possible combinations, We’d want to provide you with some suggestions for selecting the bounce on your wedges:
- The sand wedge (54-56 degrees) will have the biggest and deepest bounce.
- The bounce of the lob wedge (58-60 degrees) is the smallest and narrowest.
- The gap wedge (50-52 degrees) should have a modest bounce and a medium depth.
- The pitching wedge (46-48 degrees) has a low bounce and a shallow to medium depth as well.
What golf club should a beginner use?
You can carry up to 14 clubs in your bag, but you won’t need quite that many when you first start out. Start with a driver, a putter, and a sand wedge- the club with an “S” on the sole or a loft of 54 to 56 degrees- then add a 6-iron, an 8-iron, a pitching wedge, and a fairway wood or hybrid with 18-21 degrees of loft. These are the clubs that are the most forgiving and easy to get the ball flying.
Is it advantageous to have more bounce for sand shots?
The more bounce there is in the club, the less the club will dig into the sand.
- So, for soft sand, aim for a sand wedge with 56 degrees of loft and at least 10 degrees of bounce.
- For harder sand, look for a sand wedge with 56 degrees of loft and at least 10 degrees of bounce.
- Look for a 56 or 60-degree sand wedge with 8 degrees of bounce for compacted sand.
What exactly is the difference between a sand wedge and a pitching wedge?
The lie angle is the most notable distinction between a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. As previously stated, pitching wedges are typically 45 to 50 degrees. The loft of a sand wedge will range from 54 to 58 degrees, with the bulk lying between 54 and 56 degrees.
What features does a sand wedge have?
Although the sand wedge is called by the fact that it is frequently used to play bunker shots, it is actually simply an iron with a clubface loft of approximately 54°-56°, which is roughly halfway between a gap wedge and a lob wedge.
The shaft of the sand wedge is likewise shorter than that of the longer irons, measuring around 33-37 inches.
A sand wedge has a wider sole (the bottom surface of the club) and more bounce than other irons. The attribute or trait of an iron that permits it to “skim” the ground towards the bottom of the swing arc is referred to as bounce.
With higher lofted clubs, the leading edge is higher than the trailing edge, making it less capable of digging into the ground. This is useful when we want to slip the club beneath the ball to launch it higher and land softer.
A sand wedge is played in the same manner as any other iron from the short grass on the fairway, fringe, etc. The loft of the club allows it to glide deeper beneath the ball and send it on a higher trajectory.
The following are some common uses for a sand wedge:
- The ball has been buried in the sand, obviously.
- The ball is resting on muddy ground and/or in rugged terrain.
- You want to hit a higher, gentler stroke since the ball is on firm grass.