The Best Sand Wedge for Beginner Golfers and High Handicappers

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
2. BUDGET PICK: Pinemeadow Wedge
3. VALUE FOR MONEY: Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge
4. BEST PREMIUM: TaylorMade Golf MG2 Wedge
5. MOST FORGIVING: Cleveland RTX 4

1. TOP PICK: Cleveland Golf CBX 2 Wedge

SPECIFICATIONS

⛳️ HOLLOW-CAVITY DESIGN - Greater weight dispersed around the perimeter provides more forgiveness upon impact.

⛳️ DYNAMIC SOLE - Three distinct sole grinds provide more flexibility in executing any shot on the course.

⛳️ AMAZING FEEL - Enhanced Feel Balancing Technology, in conjunction with a GelbackTPU Insert, decreases vibration for a more natural feel upon contact.

⛳️ ROTEX FACE - Rotex Face technology's fourth iteration features our sharpest Tour Zip Grooves and most aggressive face milling for an optimum spin and short game control.

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.

Good shots become excellent shots, while poor ones become extremely playable. No more squandering a nice drive by chunking easy wedges. With its hollow cavity technology, the CBX 2 offers the best of both worlds.

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 has a V-shaped sole for pitching and gap wedges (46-52 degrees) that glides over grass and keeps you from getting caught in the ground on full shots. And an S-shaped sole for sand wedges (between 54-56 degrees) that quickly takes you out of the sand and deep rough.

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 teamed up with Cleveland to develop the Dynamic Gold 115 wedge shaft. This shaft has been designed specifically for these cavity-backed wedges. They take the uncomfortable transition from lightweight irons to heavy wedges out of the equation.

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!"

"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.

Even forged blade-type wedges from the fairway don't appeal to me for complete wedge shots or long-distance pitching. On full shots, I like the feel of a heavier/beefier wedge. So, my go-to pitching wedge is a cavity back, which I like. My issue begins with the gap, sand, and lob wedges that no one seems to create in a forgiving club anymore - all I've seen for years are the blade kinds that I dislike. I saw this and the ads and decided to give it a go.

This wedge is fantastic. On full shots, it's nearly as soft as a forged blade, and it's forgiving as a cavity back should be - simpler to locate the sweet spot than any blade-type wedge I've ever used. My blows are always more in the center of the clubface.

Those worried about the size of the head need not be: it is no larger visually than a Callaway Mack Daddy at address. The only difference is the thicker sole and back, which is neither seen nor felt.

According to what I've read, the thicker sole is hollow, with some form of vibration dampening material inserted inside, giving it greater forgiveness from the fairway, a softer feel at impact, and better perimeter weighting. Whatever they say holds true for me: it has the feel of a forged club.

I haven't tried it from the sand yet, and I'm not sure I'll use it much around the greens since I like my Mizuno 921 hot metal 58 degrees for greenside chipping and sand shots. And, although I doubt I'd want it at the upper lofts for my reasons, it should be quite beneficial to higher handicappers who struggle with sand and lob wedges.

This 52-degree wedge will most likely replace two of my wedges (a 50-degree and a 54-degree), allowing me to add a hybrid to my bag."

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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.

2. BUDGET PICK: Pinemeadow Wedge

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.

⛳️ The largest face area of any wedge available, making even the most difficult lies seem flawless.

⛳️ Available in 52, 56, 60, 64, and the elusive 68-degree wedge.

⛳️ Compare the features and performance of the greatest classic wedge designs starting at $120.

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 simplifies the wedge purchasing process significantly. These wedges are simple, forgiving, and appealing, and they are available in a number of different lofts. These wedges come in five different lofts to be exact. You may also get a Pinemeadow wedge in a women's shaft.

The typical gap wedge has a loft of 52 degrees, the sand wedge has a loft of 56 degrees, and the lob wedge has a loft of 60 degrees. If you know this set of wedges is for you, you may get a three-piece package with 52, 56, and 60 wedges.

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.

It seems that once you move to less expensive equipment, feel is something that is compromised. It's not that these golf clubs have no feel at all; it's just that they don't function as well as a tour-level wedge. If you don't have a wedge in your bag and are just using a pitching wedge, using a 56 degree wedge is essential.

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."

"I just purchased this club in the hopes of adding more loft to my chips...and boy does it! With its large sweet spot, this club is very simple to hit. It's also my go-to club for anything less than 50 yards away. I've even successfully full-swung it from around 70 yards out.

I'm not sure how many people chip with a 60-degree wedge, but I'll never use another club again. I really like the dark grey polish on the clubhead. It seems sturdy for the price."

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PROS

✅ If you're on a tight budget, this is an excellent choice.

✅ Appealing design.

✅ There are several loft choices.

✅ Great for beginners.

✅ User-friendly.

CONS

❌ The finish wears off quickly.

3. VALUE FOR MONEY: Wilson Harmonized Wedge

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.

If you're not accustomed to using a conventional wedge on the course, this is the club to get you acclimated to it and will give you a good feel for what a wedge feels like. The aggressive grooves guarantee that the ball spins as much as possible. This is quite beneficial and may greatly enhance your confidence in the course - particularly if you're a beginner.

The blade's shape is also strongly angled to increase spin, which is ideal when you're in a tight spot. When the clubface is open, the sole grind allows the club to easily glide through the grass, which is perfect when you want to get the ball out of the rough and sand in one stroke.

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.

The grip is also there for your protection; since it is composed of rubber, you are significantly less likely to be wounded on the rough spot on the wedge's grip steel. The grip is not only functional but also quite pleasant. We've all experienced how exhausting it can be to swing a club around, particularly on longer courses. Your hands will be secure and comfortable with the Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge.

With the Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge, you'll be able to hit higher and more accurate strokes. The wedge has been developed to provide you with the greatest performance possible, and you'll be pleased with the outcomes of the course. Whether you're a beginner or a veteran, the traditional-style wedge will serve you well. If you like good ball spin, the Wilson Harmonized Golf Wedge is an excellent choice.

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.

They have a wonderful feel and a lot of spin. Don't believe anybody who claims the wedges don't spin because they don't know how to. I spin these wedges equally as much as any other wedge I've ever had. I suggested them to a friend, who enjoys them as much as I do.

I would suggest re-gripping them if you have the opportunity since the grips that came with them are a little thin, but they aren't bad; it's just a personal preference for me. Excellent wedges that I would purchase again. The only reason for the four stars is that there are better wedges available, but for the money, I would purchase and use them again; they are nearly as excellent as anything else on the market, including Cleveland's and Vokey's."

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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.

4. BEST PREMIUM: TaylorMade Golf MG2 Wedge

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.

⛳️ The TPU Insert in the wedge's back cavity is meant to offer vibration dampening, resulting in a firm, pleasant feel during impact.

⛳️ TaylorMade was able to adjust CG placement for accurate flight and increased feel by redistributing mass.

⛳️ This wedge, which is available in both matte black and satin chrome, is meant to complement the eye of every golfer's style.

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.

When the wedge makes contact with the ball, there is less skid, resulting in enhanced greenside spin. Its shaft is made of alloy steel with a chrome finish. This provides it tremendous strength and a distinctive appearance. However, if the chrome does not appeal to you, you might want to go with the matte black.

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!"

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PROS

✅ Has excellent spin and control on partial shots.

✅ Beautiful looking club.

✅ Performs well on full and partial shots, as well as around the green.

✅ Amazing performer from the rough.

CONS

❌ Clubface may be too rough.

5. MOST FORGIVING: Cleveland RTX 4

SPECIFICATIONS

⛳️ The style and performance that keen golfers desire is provided by less glare and excellent finishes.

⛳️ Rotex 4 creates more spin with the sharpest Tour Zip Grooves ever, the most aggressive face milling Cleveland Golf has ever devised, and even more accurate laser milling.

⛳️ The new Muscle shaping on the back of each loft gradually changes the center of gravity on both the X and Y axes, improving feel and distance control.

⛳️ The MID has a V-Shaped sole for smooth full shot performance and sharp pitch shots around the green at neutral and steep attack angles.

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.

The Cleveland RTX 4 Wedge's four different sole shapes increase the versatility of this outstanding golf club. The classic Full shape is solid through impact and performs well in the sand when the clubface is opened, whereas the Mid shape has a V-shaped grind that helps players with steep or neutral angles of attack. Low and XLOW sole shapes eliminate bounce from the heel, toe, and trail edge, enabling the leading edge to sit lower and glide under the golf ball. The Cleveland RTX 4 Wedge offers a sole shape for every shot you need to hit.

The Cleveland RTX 4 Wedge has Progressive Feel Balancing Technology, which not only improves feel by bringing the center of gravity closer to the sweet spot, but also stabilizes the clubhead after contact. As a consequence, the wedge feels better and is significantly more forgiving on off-center smashes.

Maximum spin is often the most important aspect of any wedge, and the Cleveland RTX 4 Wedge has progressively produced a wonderfully durable wedge that provides maximum friction and spin rates on both short and full strokes. With the Cleveland RTX 4 Wedge, your strokes will spin more with less effort thanks to the sharp, deep grooves and precise milling on the face.

The Cleveland RTX 4 Wedge has loft that ranges from 46 degrees to 64 degrees in two degree increments. The Full Sole is available in lofts 56-60, the Mid Sole in lofts 46-60, the Low Sole in lofts 56-64, and the XLOW Sole in 58 and 60 degree lofts. Every wedge is 34 7/8 inches long, with swing weights ranging from D3 to D5. A True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue shaft and a Golf Pride Tour Velvet Grip are standard. The Cleveland RTX 4 Wedge is available in three different finishes: Black Satin, Tour Satin, and Tour Raw.

We couldn't think of anything wrong with the Cleveland RTX 4 Wedge. The face generates more spin around the greens than any wedge we've evaluated so far, each potential finish looks terrific, and there isn't a shot you can't perform with this amazing golf club. Whether you're a high handicapper or a scratch golfer, the Cleveland RTX 4 Wedge will enhance your short game.

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."

"This extreme-lofted 64-degree club is a tremendous bonus when played with firmness and confidence. If you attack positively, it's not as tough to utilize as many people believe.

It takes some time and effort to become consistent - and to find the yardages with different levels of swing. You'll be shocked at how far the ball can be lofted."

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PROS

✅ Very forgiving wedge particularly on off-center hits.

✅ One of the most versatile wedges ever created.

✅ When compared to other wedges, it produces a stunning amount of spin.

✅ More adaptability in a wider range of lies.

✅ The stock Dynamic Golf Tour Issue shaft has a track record of success.

CONS

❌ If you're not used to high spin rate wedges, you'll need to make readjustments.