6 Best Lob Wedges for 2024: Mastering the Short Game

Lob wedges can be your best friend or your enemy. With the technology in the lob wedges of today, there is no reason you can’t find a club to fit your golf game.

Lob wedges have come a long way in the last several years, and they are now much more forgiving and accessible for the golfer of any handicap level. For the low handicap golfers, the grooves keep getting better and better, and the difference from year to year is noticeable.

We put together a list of our favorite lob wedges on the market right now. Some of these lob wedges are best for the players who have a strong short game, and others will be best for the beginner that doesn’t even know what short game means!

Regardless of why you are in the market for a lob wedge, here is our opinion on the best lob wedges available.

Best Lob Wedge: Cobra King Mim Black Wedge

The Cobra King Mim Black Wedge is one of the newer technologies on the market from Cobra. If you are looking for a consistent and great looking lob wedge this is the choice to go with. The brand new technology is metal injection molded which is essentially an entirely new manufacturing process from Cobra. 

The 304 Stainless steel construction, combined with the impressive groove technology and feel will lead to an impressive overall performance from the Cobra wedge. Cobra does not put out as many wedge options as companies like Callaway and Titleist. However, when they do release a new wedge to the market, it is often quite high-performing. 

The progressive spin technology is another positive you will find in the Cobra King Mim Black wedge. When you need the spin the most in the lob wedge, it will be there. The wedges with a gap wedge or pitching wedge loft will allow for slightly less spin and a bit more carry. 

If you have never tried a Cobra wedge, now may be the time to give this impressive company a chance. The technology in the MIM wedge is a great match for both the high and low handicap players.

Alternative #1: Titleist Vokey SM7

If you have not heard of the Titleist Vokey wedges, you may be new to the game of golf. Some of the best lob wedges ever made have been put out by this fantastic company. If you are looking for the leading golf wedge on tour that will let you spin and control the ball to your liking, the SM7 is your top choice. 

One of the beautiful things about the SM7 is that it comes in a 62-degree loft as well as the 58 and 60. If you need the 62 in order to keep the 4 to 6-degree gaps between your wedges, then the Vokey is a perfect fit for you. 

Titleist update their wedges every few years, and the main thing that changes are the grooves and the spin. The Spin Milled grooves just keep getting better and better, allowing players to stop and spin the ball even from the worst of lies. If you think that the Vokey wedge could be for you, there is a bit of research you must do. 

The loft and grind options vary greatly, and some lofts are not available with specific sole grinds. The most important thing you need to consider is where you will be using your lob wedge from the most.

If you are going to use it out of fluffy bunkers mainly, choose something with high bounce; if it is for hardpan bunkers, you will need the low bounce. If, like most players, you have no idea where you will land, go with the mid bounce. 

In addition to the concept of the mid bounce, Vokey gives a clear guide as to which sole grind may work best for your game. If you know you will be manipulating the clubface to hit your shots, there is a grind for that.

If you want an ultimate bunker club, there is a grind for that. If you think you will stick to simple mechanics and do a straight back and straight through simple chipping method, there is a grind for that. Once you understand the grind and bounce system, it is not difficult to know which option will benefit you most around the greens. 

Vokey wedges are traditionally more expensive than other options, but they offer some of the most incredible technology. The prices have dropped a little lately on the SM7 with the release of the SM8, now is the time to pick a few up.

Read our Titleist Vokey SM7 Wedge review.

Alternate #2: Cleveland CBX 2

Where the Vokey catered to the lower handicap player, the CBX is going to be best for those that struggle with their short game. The Cleveland CBX 2 wedge expands and improves upon the amazingly successful CBX wedge of last year. The lob wedge in the CBX is going to be 60 degrees and is only available in one finish.

When choosing which CBX 2 wedge is for you, you will not have to make too many decisions. Cleveland has the sole and bounce set for each of these wedges to maximize performance. This is a cavity back wedge so that it will perform well on full swing shots as well.

Having a golf club in your bag that works for both short and long shots is going to be extremely helpful.

The CBX 2 wedges are a progressive type wedge, so the lob wedge will have a lot more spin than the gap wedge or pitching wedge. This is a good thing as you should be looking to have your 60-degree wedge stop and stay where it lands (if not spin backward a bit).

The CBX 2 is going to be best suited for the mid to high handicap player as it is one of the most forgiving golf wedges on the market.

If you struggle with getting out of bunkers or stopping a ball when coming out of the rough, this wedge could help your game quite a bit. With a low center of gravity, getting the loft, you desire on each shot should not be a problem.

Pinemeadow PGX

Best Cheap Lob Wedge

If you don’t have a lob wedge in your bag and know that your game is missing one, the Pinemeadow PGX is a perfect choice to consider. The Pinemeadow golf wedges are not expensive; in fact, you can get a couple of them for the same price as most of the other options on our list.

The PGX wedge is an effortless and classic design. It is more of a blade style wedge, and it is offered in a few lofts, but there are no bounce or sole options. This is a versatile wedge you can open or close to produce the shot type that you would like.

The Pinemeadow PGX comes with a standard steel uniflex type shaft, but it is not the strongest of options. If you are a faster swinging player, you will want to look into something with a bit more of a heavy/stiff shaft.

The PGX is a great beginners lob wedge or a good option for a high handicapper that does not have a lob wedge in their bag. This is not going to be suitable for golfers that are looking for the best of spin and feel on their shots.

Read our Pinemeadow Wedge review.

Callaway Golf Mack Daddy 5 JAWS Wedge

Best Lob Wedge for Lower Handicappers

Low handicap golfers require a lot of feel and performance from their wedges. The difference between shooting 72 and 82 is certainly going to be related to the wedges and the types of performance they can give your game.

The new Callaway Mack Daddy 5 Jaws wedges are made with a 8620 mild carbon steel, and they provide the lower handicap players all the feedback that they need from a wedge. 

With the Mack Daddy 5 Jaws, you will notice that the head shaping will be very much a versatile blade style wedge. The progressive design makes it so that as you move from the lob to the sand to the gap is a seamless transition. 

The Jaws wedges are also available in several different grind options. Low handicap players like to give themselves a variety of grind options in their wedges.

This allows for the ability to play from several other surfaces and not have it be too demanding on the player. You can purchase the Mack Daddy 5 stock in either steel or graphite shafts, so there are options for all golfers. 

TaylorMade Golf Big Foot Wide Sole Wedge

Best Lob Wedge for Seniors

When it comes to the senior golfer choosing a wedge that is both lightweight and easy to hit is most important. We love that this Big Foot Wide Sole Wedge from TaylorMade has a large and forgiving face. It is also available in a graphite shaft.

Now this wedge is not going to be a low-cost option. As golfers who play graphite shafts know, the graphite option will increase the price considerably. This is a milled grind option that has tremendous feel to help you improve your short game.

When we say this wedge is for senior golfers, it is not because it’s a cheap forgiving wedge. This is a very high quality wedge that will provide plenty of spin around the greens.

If your swing speed is a bit slower and you need the help getting out of bunkers, the wide sole is a great choice.

Lob Wedges Buying Guide

Now that you have a solid lineup of the best wedges on the market, it’s time to narrow down which one is for you. Golfers struggle to choose wedges sometimes because there are so many different bounce and sole grind options.

Try not to overcomplicate this decision. You need to have something that works for your handicap and something that feels good in your hands.

What Is The Best Lob Wedge Degree?

The standard lob wedge degree is going to be a 60 degree wedge. Some players will use a 58 or a 62 as a lob wedge and a select few will go with the 64.

We think that the ideal lob wedge loft is going to mostly be determined by the lofts in your other wedges. If you are carrying a 58 degree sand wedge, then your lob wedge will likely be a 62 degree wedge.

If, however, your sand wedge is a 54, your lob wedge maybe a 58. There is no ideal degree of loft for a lob wedge, instead, using a lob wedge that fits in perfectly with the other clubs in your bag is most important.

Should High Handicappers Use A Lob Wedge?

Yes, absolutely yes. The only stipulation that we will add is you must make sure you choose the correct lob wedge for your abilities.

Choosing a blade-style lob wedge with little to no forgiveness will likely not end well for the high handicap golfer. Instead, look for one of the cavity back wedges we reviewed like the CBX.

This wedge is designed to give you forgiveness but also the ability to get out of bunkers and hit shorter shots around the green that stop when they should.

One of the most important reasons a high handicapper should keep a lob wedge in their bag is for bunker shots. Bunkers are challenging to hit out of regardless of your skill level.

If you end up in a sand trap with a large lip in front of you, get ready to have to open your sand wedge way up and take a big swing just to get the loft you need to get over the edge.

This is not a comfortable shot for most high handicappers. Having the extra loft in the lob wedge could make this shot much more attainable.

What Makes A Lob Wedge Forgiving?

If forgiveness is something that you are seeking in your lob wedge, there are a few key factors to look for. First, you will likely find something with a larger club face and a wider sole. These factors will help players get the ball in the air a bit easier.

In addition to these two things, expect to see a cavity back design as opposed to a blade. The blade wedges, although more traditional, do not carry the same level of forgiveness that a cavity back wedge will have.

Most companies make a few wedges each year, and one version will be called the tour model, stay away from that if you are looking for forgiveness. The guys on tour want feel and precision over forgiveness.

Do I Need To Worry About Shaft Choice In A Lob Wedge?

As far as wedges are concerned, golfers tend to pay much less attention to the shaft than they would in irons or a driver. The shaft in a lob wedge is essential but very likely not as crucial as it is in your driver.

Most lob wedges are sold with a standard wedge flex shaft designed to work for the majority of average swing speed golfers.

If you happen to swing extremely fast, you will likely want to get your lob wedges with extra stiff shafts. If, however, you are a slower swinging player, look for a graphite wedge.

They will cost you a few more dollars up front, but in the long run, you will produce much better shots with this club in your bag.

Where Should I Use My Lob Wedge?

Some golfers are under the misconception that lob wedges are designed to be used for high flop shots and nothing else. This is not at all true.

Lob wedges are very versatile and should be used from the bunker, from the rough, from the short grass, whenever you feel comfortable. The number of different shots you can learn to hit with a lob wedge is endless.

How Much Does A Lob Wedge Cost?

Pricing will always vary on golf clubs, but you should expect to spend from $75 to $150. For the number of golf shots that you will hit with this club in the course of a round of golf, it will be money well spent.

When To Use A Lob Wedge

A lob wedge is one of the most useful clubs around the greens. The reason people love their lob wedge is that you can get the ball up and down rather quickly. Hitting a golf ball up into the air and then getting it to stop on the green can take quite a bit of effort, but lob wedges have the loft and the spin necessary to get this done. 

Use a lob wedge out of a bunker when you don’t have much room for the ball to release. In addition, if you are in some thick rough but still want to be able to try and spin the ball to get it to stop, the lob wedge will help you do so. 

The lob wedge is not the best choice for full swing golf shots into a green. Sometimes these require a little less loft, and the lob wedge may bring in too much room for error. Think of the lob wedge as your most accurate wedge for short shots that need to stop quickly. 

What Degree Is A Lob Wedge

A lob wedge is typically going to be 58, 60, or 62 degrees. Depending on your set makeup and the design of your golf bag, you will have to choose a lob wedge that fits in with the other clubs in your bag. Most of the time, the 60 degree is the popular lob wedge loft that works for a majority of golfers’ sets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not all golfers carry a lob wedge. This means that when it comes time to purchase one, golfers often have quite a few questions about which one is going to be the best for their game. Luckily, we have the answers that you will need. 

What Is The Top Rated Lob Wedge?

The top-rated lob wedge is very likely the Titleist Vokey lob wedge. A Vokey wedge has a very impressive feel and accuracy. If you want to get a golf ball to stop near the hole, the Vokey lob wedge will do the trick. Vokey wedges are available in a number of different lofts and grinds. 

How Do I Choose A Lob Wedge

Choosing a lob wedge can be difficult because of all the great options on the market. Make sure that you are taking into consideration the forgiveness that you find in the golf wedge. Some golf wedges are more forgiving than others, and the cavity back style wedges are best for the higher handicappers. In addition, think about the spin technology; with a lob wedge, you will want all the spin that you can get. 

Should High Handicappers Use A Lob Wedge? 

High handicappers should learn to use a lob wedge. So many people have the misconception that a lob wedge is not forgiving enough for a higher handicapper. This is really not the case. If you want to learn to be a great player, you need to be able to use all the tools on the market; this helps ensure that you are more prepared for any situation that comes your way. 

What Lob Wedge Do Pros Use?

The pros typically use the Callaway Mack Daddy 5 Jaws or the Titleist Vokey wedges. Of course, there are plenty of other golf wedges that pros will use, but these are two of the most popular options because of the impressive feel and performance that a professional can get.

Conclusion

Lob wedges are not what they once were. Years ago, only tour-level and low handicap players were able to use a lob wedge. They were not forgiving, challenging to spin, and very often were hit thin and through the green.

Things are different today. Lob wedges have come a long way to help provide spin control, forgiveness, and distance control as well.

Our favorite choice for a lob wedge is the Cobra Mim Black. It is a player’s blade-type design, but it does have some forgiveness that will help the mid-handicap golfers as well. The grooves will help the ball spin better than many of the other wedge options on the market. If the MIM is not a fit for you and you want the best feel and spin on the market, then the Vokey SM7 would be the next place to look. Titleist Vokey golf wedges have been the number one choice on professional golf tours for years.