7 Best Golf Wedges for Mid Handicappers – 2024 Guide

If you are a mid handicapper looking for wedge replacements, now is a great time. Your wedges should be your second favorite club in your bag, right behind the putter.

Having confidence and shot-making ability in your wedge is the critical factor in lowering your handicap. Putting the correct wedge in your golf bag could have you reading the “Best Golf Wedges for Low Handicappers” review next season.

We put together the best golf wedges for mid handicappers. Check our favorite choices for everything from a lob wedge to a sand wedge to a gap wedge.

Who is a Mid Handicapper?

A mid handicapper is a golfer that has between a ten and a twenty handicap. Mid handicappers tend to shoot in the 80s and 90s and are considered to be good or average golfers. Mid handicappers will need a bit of forgiveness in their wedges, but feel is also going to be of importance. 

Importance of Golf Wedges in Your Game

When you miss the green, a golf wedge is the most important golf club to have in the bag. With a golf shot that misses the green, a quick wedge shot up will help to save the score. If you are good with your wedges you can leave your round with a much lower score.

Best Wedge for Mid Handicappers: Cleveland RTX Zipcore

Our top choice for the best golf wedge for the mid handicappers is the Cleveland RTX Zipcore. Cleveland has been a frontrunner in the golf wedge game for many years. Most great players will argue that Cleveland and Titleist make the best wedges out there. These RTX Zipcore are no exception.

We love that these wedges come at a fair price, are available in a variety of finishes, and feature some excellent spin technology.

The RTX Zipcore wedges come with the Tour Zip grooves that Cleveland released several years ago. Cleveland claims they are sharper and more aggressive than previous models.

The RTX wedge has progressive feel balancing technology, so the higher lofted wedges are more versatile for shots around the green, and the lower lofted work fine for full-length shots from far away.

With any wedge, you are going to want to have lots of feel and distance control. The RTX wedges help quite a bit with that. The sole grinds on the RTX Zipcore include low, mid, full, and slow. If you want something for soft turf and deep rough, go with the full sole grind.

The opposite end of the spectrum would be the slow that is designed for super tight lies. With the Cleveland wedges, the bounce is kind of tied into the sole grind. So the medium and full sole wedges have the same amount of bounce.

The RTX wedge is designed to provide the mid handicapper the perfect amount of spin, forgiveness and feel that they need to take their short game to the next level.

Best Value Wedges for Mid Handicappers: Cobra King Black Wedge

Next on our list may come as a surprise to some. The Cobra wedges do not always make the top of these lists, but we believe this is one of the best golf wedges for mid handicappers.

The face on the Cobra King Black wedge is a 100% CNC milled face. Cobra is huge into the CNC milling, and they use it on several of their clubs. The grooves created with the CNC milling process makes them highly accurate and consistent. You get great spin across the entire face of this wedge.

Just as some companies have their Groove in Groove technology, Cobra has developed a process that they call variable face roughness. This helps to maximize spin in the areas where there are no grooves.

If you are looking for a wedge that optimizes spin and feel around the greens, the Cobra will absolutely be capable.

The Cobra wedges also have progressive spin technology, like most companies do. This helps golfers for the full swing shots with the lower lofts and the shorter shots with the higher lofts.

There are not a large number of sole and bounce configurations with this wedge, but it does come in three grinds; versatile, classic, and widelow. You can get this wedge in a variety of lofts as well, so if you like it, you will have no issues adding a set of them to your golf bag.

Priced similarly to the Cleveland RTX, this club doesn’t just feel great; it also performs very well for the mid-handicap golfers.

Best Premium Wedges for Mid Handicappers: Titleist Vokey SM8

Next on our list is the Vokey SM8. If you expected to see a top wedge list without the Vokey name on it somewhere, you were mistaken. The SM7 is not the newest release by Titleist, but it is a high performing, highly capable wedge to help the mid-handicappers lower their scores. 

The SM8 features the traditional spin milled design that Titltiest has been putting on their best wedges for many years. The SM8 wedge is available in a few different color finishes and many different bounce and grind options.

If you have any doubts about what bounce or grind options you need for your game, take a look at our buyers guide where we discuss the options in more detail. 

The Vokey wedges are some of the most consistent clubs in the game of golf. They provide a level of feel that many golfers will tell you is unmatched. The SM8 series has dropped in price slightly since the release of the SM8, so now is the time to grab them.

A Vokey wedge is something that you will have in your bag for many years. If you have an older model Vokey that doesn’t incorporate the Spin milled grooves, you will be quite pleased with the optimized spin and control that these grooves provide.

Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge

Best Wedge for Mid Handicap Women

It can be hard to find a golf wedge that is perfectly suited for a female golfer. Each of the wedges that we have on our list can be ordered with a women’s golf shaft, but they don’t always keep the women’s golfer in mind. However, with the Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge, the mid handicapper woman will be able to check all the boxes about the club that they need. 

This is a cavity back style wedge, so you can expect a little forgiveness, and the feel will likely not be quite as impressive as other options on the market.

This grind works from various turn conditions, but it is best if you are playing somewhere in the middle of hard and soft turf. 

The Mack Daddy CB Wedges come with a lightweight graphite shaft, and the 56-degree option is the perfect sand wedge degree for a female golfer. 

As a mid handicap woman improves her game, this sand wedge will very likely keep a spot in her bag. The center of gravity is quite low, and in the back, so you should have no issues with forgiveness on the Mack Daddy CB wedge.

Majek Golf Senior Wedge Set

Best Wedge for Mid Handicap Seniors

If you are a senior golfer looking for a little help in your wedge game this set of Majek golf wedges is a great option.

The shafts in this wedge are a senior flex but they are also steel. We love that because they at least have some extra weight to help you stay down and through each shot.

The wedge set comes with a 52, 56 and 60 degree wedge and the pricing is more than fair. This is a very forgiving golf wedge that will help golfers who are working on staying a mid handicapper as their swing speed slows down.

Callaway Mack Daddy 5 Wedge

Best Spinning Wedge for Mid Handicap Golfers

The Callaway Mack Daddy 5 Wedge is the best golf wedge for the mid handicapper that is looking for a high spin wedge. With the Mack Daddy 5 golf wedge, you will get consistent performance around the greens and increased control. 

A Mack Daddy 5 Wedge can come with either the True Temper Tour Issue 115 or the Project X Catalyst 80. We love the fact that you can get these golf clubs in either the graphite or the steel option. 

The 8620 carbon steel used to make the Callaway Mack Daddy wedges helps them have a very pure feel at impact. If you have been feeling like your short game is lacking spin, it may not be the player, it could be the club.

Pinemeadow Wedge

Best Cheap Wedge for Mid Handicappers

The Pinemeadow Wedges are designed to fill a need in the marketplace for affordable golf clubs. If your golf clubs are getting older and you want to add some new technology for a fair price, the Pinemeadow wedges are a great option. 

Most of the time golf wedges will cost between $125 and $200 each. When you have to add four of them to your bag at once, the overall price is a bit high for some mid handicappers to deal with. 

Luckily with the Pinemeadow wedge, the pricing will be a small fraction of this and you can put a few clubs in your bag for the price of one. Pinemeadow is a reputable company that has been around for many years. 

Don’t let the fact that this wedge is inexpensive keep you from giving it a try. The Apollo steel shaft is designed with a mid-kick point to give a mid handicap golfer the performance that they need.

The Different Types of Golf Wedges

There are four basic types of golf wedges that players may need. Some golfers will attempt to play with just one or two wedges in their bag but to really be able to hit all of the necessary shots that you need in your game, having four wedges is essential. Let’s take a look at the different types of golf wedges on the market so that you can ensure your golf bag is properly equipped. 

Pitching Wedge

A pitching wedge is a golf club that transitions the irons into the wedges. Pitching wedges are used to hit approach shots to the green but they are also really good for bump and run type shots around the green. 

Gap Wedge

A gap wedge is a club that will bridge the gap between the pitching wedge and the sand wedge. This gap can often be a wide one because of the new lofting that tends to be part of the new golf club sets on the market. Gap wedges are sometimes also called approach wedges. 

Sand Wedge

A sand wedge is a golf club that is traditionally known for hitting out of a sand trap; however, it is excellent for chip and pitch shots from any area around the green. Sand wedge shots tend to stop on the green quickly and give golfers quite a bit of accuracy. 

Lob Wedge

A lob wedge has the most loft. With a lob wedge, you will be able to hit the ball higher and get it to stop faster than any other golf club in the bag. With a lob wedge, you will be able to get quite a bit of spin. Some players find this club a difficult one to hit but with patience and practice, it is something all golfers can learn.

What to Look For When Buying a Wedge for Mid Handicappers?

Now that we gave you some fantastic choices for a new wedge or a few wedges to put in your golf bag, you will have to choose which club works best for you.

We have put together an easy to follow guide with some of the essential information you need before choosing a golf wedge for your game.

Bounce Explained

Wedge bounce is something that can confuse people looking to purchase new wedges. Some manufacturers offer options like low, mid, and high bounce, and others will give you an actual degree of bounce to choose from. Having a general understanding of what bounce is will help you to select the correct one.

Wedge bounce is how far off the ground at address the leading edge of the wedge is. If you have a wedge with a lot of bounce, the leading edge will be far off the ground at impact. If you miss the ball a bit, bounce can be your friend and make sure that you still get part of the clubface.

Low bounce wedges are designed for tight lies, firm turf, and bunkers with compact sand.

Mid bounce wedges are the most versatile and usually have between seven and 10 degrees of bounce. Players use the mid bounce wedges for a variety of shots around the greens.

High bounce wedges are used for fluffy bunkers, and fluffy grass lies as well. High bounce wedges are not ideal from a firm tight fairway lie.

Varying the degrees of bounce on your wedges to make sure they work best for your course conditions and your golf game is quite essential. You really wouldn’t want to have a set of wedges, all with very low bounce.

If you happen to be playing a golf course with fluffy bunkers, it’s good to have an option in your bag with some extra bounce. Most professionals agree choosing a sand wedge with mid bounce is a good idea.

Loft Gapping

Years ago, golfers just put a 56 a 60 or both in their golf bag. Things have changed as far as wedges are concerned. There are lob wedge options with degrees up to 64, and there are some gap wedges that are now 48 degrees instead of the traditional 52.

When purchasing a new wedge, you need to know the loft on your pitching wedge. If your pitching wedge is 43 degrees or if it is 46 degrees will make a tremendous difference in the wedge set up in your bag. Typically you want to make sure that you keep the gaps between your pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge and lob wedge as even as possible.

If you have a 46-degree pitching wedge, a great setup is 52, 56, and 60. If you are using a pitching wedge that is 43 degrees, a better option maybe 50, 54, and 58. Both options will give you the diversity you need in your wedge game while still keeping the gaps relatively consistent.

Having a great short game means being able to perform a variety of shots with several golf wedges. You cannot be capable of hitting one chip with each club and assuming that you will be able to lower your scores. There are doesn’t of shot types you can perform if you set yourself up with the proper mix of loft, grind, and bounce.

Wedge Grind Explained

In additional golfers being confused by the bounce options on a wedge, grind can be a bit difficult to understand as well. Wedge grind is the way the sole of the club is designed. The sole will have an effect on the way the wedge interacts with the turf. Depending on the type or amount of grind you have on your wedges, you can play around with spin, ball flight, and your consistency.

Companies like Titleist and Callaway have many different grind options on their wedges. They have guides explaining what each different guide is and how it can impact your game. We recommend choosing a sand wedge that is a versatile grind with a mid bounce. You want to have one club in your bag that can work for any course condition or lie that you are exposed to.

Don’t be afraid to vary the grind from club to club; low handicap golfers will have an excellent idea of what their golf wedges are capable of. Although some manufacturers will offer what they call a versatile grind that can be used in a variety of situations, the best golf wedges will let you choose a specific grind.

Leading Edge

The leading edge of the golf wedge is what helps you get the turf interaction that you need. When a golf club has a clean leading edge, it is easier to hit precise golf shots that stop on the green and have the control that they need. Most players like a thinner leading edge, especially mid handicappers that want to get the ball to stop and perform. 

Shaft 

The shaft in the golf wedge can either be graphite or steel. There are also several different flexes that you can put in the golf club. Most of the time, players are going to use a golf shaft that is a standard steel wedge flex. This is the most common and something that will fit the majority of players. However, you can also look into a golf shaft like graphite if your swing speed is slightly slower.

How Many Wedges Should I Carry?

There is no question that if you want to change from a mid handicapper to a low handicapper, you need to have four wedges in your bag. Pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge, and lob wedge.

These four wedges will give you the variety in shots that you need to approach all of the different shots around the green properly.

How To Create The Perfect Set of Golf Wedges

Golf wedges do not all need to be from the same manufacturer to make up a great set for players. In fact, many players will mix and match to put together a great golf set. When starting to build out a wedge set, golfers should consider the lofts. The standard lofts for golf wedges are . . . 

• Pitching Wedge (44-48 degrees)
• Approach Wedge (48-54 degrees)
• Sand Wedge (54-58 degrees)
• Lob Wedge (58-64 degrees) 

Once you choose one wedge that you enjoy, you will then build out the rest of the wedges based around this one. Overall the best golf wedges are those that are fit to the needs of a player.

Conclusion

The most important thing about picking the best sand wedge or lob wedge for your bag is to make sure you give yourself the correct mix of lofts, grinds and bounces. If you go and choose something off the shelf that has all the same grind and bounce, you will leave yourself some gaps or holes in your golf game.

We love the Cleveland RTX 4 wedge for the mid handicapper. This is a versatile wedge, available in a few different sole grinds, and it is a club that allows you to so much with it.

If you need our RTX for a full swing or a 50-yard bunker or a 10-yard pitch, it can adjust and perform. The tour zip grooves make it spin more than you may have thought possible.

If for some reason, the RTX just does not appeal to you, you cannot go wrong with our Cobra King Black wedge or Titleist Vokey SM7 option.

We love both of these wedges because they will work well for the mid handicapper, but they can stay in the bag as you move down to the low handicapper category. Golfers of all levels will agree that there are some fantastic wedge choices on the market at this time.