We all know how important it is to have a short game you can rely on. Not only do you need a reliable routine and swing, but equipment plays a huge factor, with some of the best golf wedges designed to help improve your score. Put simply, if you can make a few extra up-and-downs a round, the impact on your entire game will be profound.
Short game, and chipping in particular, is essential for good scoring. Becoming consistent around the greens can help bail you out from those tricky spots and avoid big numbers on the scorecard. Dialling in your chipping from in and around the green is one of the best ways to help cut shots off your handicap, but what modern wedges are the best for this?
It’s worth asking first what makes a good wedge for chipping? The best can help to produce spin and provide extra control. Ask any tour pro what the secret is behind creating spin around the greens and they'll tell you that it's all about the strike.
For this guide we’ve decided to focus on wedges that generate a lot of spin and control for those often uncomfortable chip shots as you scramble for an important up-and-down.
If, however, you are after a certain type of wedge, then why not also check out our guides on the most forgiving wedges, or even the best sand wedges and best lob wedges, if you are due an upgrade in either of those departments.
The Quick List
Subtle yet effective changes have been made to the Vokey SM10 wedge over the previous model. The more centrally placed CG, higher spin and lower launch, all enhance the predictability and control with this wedge.
The Cleveland CBX 4 Zipcore wedges are a really solid blend of performance and forgiveness. Aimed predominantly at the mid-to-high handicap golfer, better players will also benefit from these user-friendly, cavity back wedges.
The Ping S159 wedges look as good as any other on the market and have the performance to match. The spin produced when chipping and pitching was exceptional and they also produced a strong consistent ball flight when firing from a little further out.
With multiple grind and bounce options, the TaylorMade Hi-Toe 4 wedge caters to golfers of all skill levels and playing styles. The Spin Tread technology boosts control, even from the rough, while its sleek design and finish offer broad appeal.
This is a great selection for mid to high handicappers, with a larger head and wide grooves providing excellent forgiveness and control.
Combining a traditional, tour-inspired aesthetic with new technology, the Opus offers extreme spin and control from the rough and is available in two sleek finishes.
A great looking wedge that spins at a consistently high level regardless of conditions. A raw face is contrasted nicely by the outer body of the wedge to boost confidence behind the ball.
A beautiful aesthetic meets the eye of the user with the Pro T-1 wedge from mizuno, a club perfect for chipping thanks to its buttery soft feel and bladed nature.
The Sugar Daddy III has taken genuine strides of improvement in terms of chipping compared to the previous model, most notably in both aesthetic and feel.
Best Wedges For Chipping
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Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedge
The new Titleist Vokey SM10s now feature progressive shaping which helps them look really attractive at address on all lofts available. In comparison to the Vokey SM9 wedges, we noticed a slightly smaller head shape and straighter leaning edge in the lower lofts (46° to 52°) than the higher lofted options.
Performance-wise, the spin is fractionally higher in the SM10, which we think is likely down to individually cut TX9 grooves that differ based on the loft or finish of the wedge. Also, Titleist have provided the SM10 with micro-texture between the grooves, this helps create more friction on the face which, in-turn, helps create further spin and more control around the greens.
The SM10s felt terrific around the green and impressively, we felt in complete control from 50-75 yards with spin levels and a slightly lower ball flight than the SM9s. As always, the Vokey wedges come with a wide range of lie, loft and bounce options to help find the right fit for your game if you are looking to get a custom fitting.
- Read our full Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedge Review
Cleveland CBX 4 Zipcore Wedge
If your confidence is a little low with wedge in hand while facing a tricky pitch or chip shot, the larger heads on the Cleveland CBX 4 Zipcore can help you regain trust in your short game.
The rounded leading edge allows for more versatile shots around the greens, and we found in testing a range of creative ball flights and spin shots we could play with the CBX 4 to get at different pin positions.
Technology-wise, the CBX 4 has a Hydrazip face. This is a laser-milled line that helps increase friction on the face's surface, therefore creating more spin whether it is damp or dry. Along with the HydraZip face, there is also ZipCore technology, something that you get in some of the best Cleveland wedges.
ZipCore technology allows the more heavy steel in the hosel to be replaced with lighter, vibration-decreasing material. With this weight saved, Cleveland's engineers have redistributed the weight across the toe and higher up on the face for more Moment of Inertia. This all allows for more forgiveness, which we found helped us with the mental side of short game with the confidence it inspired in us during testing. The large heads may not be to everyone’s liking, but these are terrific wedges for chipping.
- Read our full Cleveland CBX 4 Zipcore Wedge Review
Ping S159 Wedge
Although the topline of the S159 is slim and rather compact-looking, it still provides plenty of confidence when down behind the ball. It's worth noting that, with the recent release of the Blueprint T and Blueprint S irons, which are considered some of the best irons for low handicappers, Ping are providing a more blade-style look on the S159 wedges.
We were impressed with the feel from the face of these wedges, particularly on longer shots. It was a soft but positive feedback, one that will appeal to many players.
The Ping S159 wedges produce a ridiculous amount of spin with chip shots – more than any other wedge we’ve tested all year. This allowed us to get really aggressive while chipping, taking on flags with the knowledge our spin levels will help with overall control of the golf ball. The look of the clubs is a simple, plain one, maybe too plain for some – but our testing team liked the looks (and the feel!).
- Read our full Ping S159 Wedge Review
TaylorMade Hi-Toe 4 Wedge
The TaylorMade Hi-Toe 4 wedge marks the latest evolution in the Hi-Toe series, building on the success of the Hi-Toe 3, Big Foot, and Hi-Toe Raw models.
Visually, the Hi-Toe 4 retains the signature copper finish that has become a staple of the Hi-Toe lineup. This, combined with the raw face, reduces glare and is favored by many tour players. The addition of a colored bottom groove aids in alignment, making it easier to square the clubface to the target—particularly useful for precision in chipping around the greens. The face and groove pattern mirrors that of the MG4 wedges, known for their exceptional spin control. While the overall shape of the Hi-Toe 4 might not appeal to everyone, particularly those who prefer a straighter leading edge, it’s a matter of personal preference.
Performance-wise, the Hi-Toe 4 excels in versatility. The Spin Tread technology offers excellent spin and control, not just from the fairway and rough, but also on delicate chips where spin is crucial for stopping the ball quickly on the green.
- Read our full TaylorMade Hi-Toe 4 Wedge Review
Cleveland CBX Full-Face 2 Wedge
The HydraZip blasted face on the CBX Full-Face 2 wedges provides consistent and impressive performance in wet conditions. Add to this the UltiZip groves which are sharp, deep and tightly spaced, we absolutely loved the results produced.
Not only does it perform well but, on fuller shots, this is one of the most forgiving wedges we have tested, especially when you move into the higher lofts. How is it so forgiving? Well, it has a wider sole that provides a greater margin for error on tighter shots. This is something that will also help with chips around the green.
As always with a full face wedge, the looks may not be for everyone. We also felt we got more feel of a bladed wedge, but the CBX Full-Face 2 are really worth considering if you're looking for a full-faced wedge for improved chipping.
- Read our full Cleveland CBX Full-Face 2 Wedge Review
Callaway Opus Wedge
In terms of aesthetics, we were pleased to see Callaway return to more classic looking bladed wedge with the Opus—we weren't big on the design of the Jaws Raw wedges. At first glance, we immediately noticed how premium the Opus looked.
The design has been based on tour-player feedback. With that in mind, we think the shape of the Opus is best suited for more confident golfers. There's also the Spin Gen Face Technology— a combination of three factors to enhance spin and control. Despite that, we didn't noticed a massive difference between the Opus and PXG Sugar Daddy II, when playing from the fairway and green.
But the Opus really delivers in the rough. It produced outstanding levels of spin and the ball checked up a lot more than we'd anticipated hitting shots from the thick, buried lies. We think the combination of performance and aesthetics is a winner!
- Read our full Callaway Opus Wedge Review
TaylorMade MG4 Wedge
The Raw Face tech on the MG4 Taylormade wedges means these wedges will naturally begin to rust on the club face. For those maybe new to golf – this is a good thing! Rust promotes spin, especially in wet or adverse conditions. The Raised Micro-Ribs between the grooves add spin and precision to chip shots, and we loved the feel.
Another new bit of tech from Taylormade is the Spin Tread. This helps push moisture away at impact, improving consistency in relation to distance control for longer shots and spin levels.
Finally, this wedge has a milled grind sole and leading edge which has been individually CNC milled for accuracy. There are also now seven bounce options, low, standard and high, LBV, SBC, and HBW and not forgetting the TW grind, so there's bound to be a fit for everyone.
- Read our full TaylorMade Milled Grind 4 Wedge Review
Mizuno Pro T-1 Wedge
We think one of the main elements to good chipping is finding a wedge you can not only trust but fall in love with too. It's a lot harder to fall in love with a club that doesn't suit your eye or you don't like the look of. With the Mizuno Pro T-1, we can't imagine there are too many people reading this guide who won't love the look of what the Japanese brand have offered us here.
It's a compact look, complete with a slick, premium looking chrome finish and deep, inviting grooves on the face. The Pro T-1 rocks a teardrop aesthetic that will prove enticing to players of all ages but it is worth noting that there is more forgiveness on offer from the Pro T-3 than with this club, most notably on full shots.
What makes this a great option for chipping is the range of different groves and soles available. No matter your choice for grooves or sole, every club face features Quad Cut+ grooves and Hydroflow microgrooves which felt pleasingly responsive around the greens - we felt like we had real control regardless of distance or lie. There are also six different sole profiles and five different grind options on the face available at purchase. Therefore, with this particular wedge and any others on this list, we'd encourage a custom fitting to make sure you're choosing a loadout best suiting to the playing characteristics of your game.
- Read our full Mizuno Pro T-1 Wedge Review
PXG Sugar Daddy III Wedge
The Sugar Daddy III makes notably improvements from the older Sugar Daddy II wedges, most notably in the looks department. The chunkier aesthetic of the previous crop of wedges has been replaced by a more sleek, premium look with slightly smaller and more inviting playing profile.
A sleek chrome finish completes the look but we were disheartened to see this was beginning to mark up after our first 18 holes of testing and therefore we question the durability of the look over the long term.
Turning to performance, this is one of the most forgiving wedges on this list. Loads of spin is available via the extensively forged face and CNC milling of the clearly visible grooves. The feel is also an appealing one, giving a soft but responsive feel on both chip shots and fuller shots from the fairway or rough. We particularly enjoyed chipping with the BP grind during testing thanks to the higher bounce and wide sole. As with most PXG clubs, we'd recommend a custom fitting to get the maximum performance out of your purchase.
- Read our full PXG Sugar Daddy III Wedge Review
How we test
When it comes to the best wedges for chipping, we take the testing process very seriously. Whether we are sent a product or buy it ourselves, we put everything through its paces to ensure we can provide thorough and reliable advice. Every member of the Golf Monthly team is an avid golfer and as such, knows what does and doesn't make for a good wedge.
Our reviews are made by golfers, for golfers. This means two main things - most notably is that we know what you, the reader, want from a golf club. That's because we're looking for the same thing, too. With wedges that's spin control, launch and trajectory control and forgiveness. If a wedge is good at these things, we'll tell you! Secondly, we're honest with our reviews. There's no bias towards any particular manufacturer, nor the opportunity to 'buy' a good review. We test it and then tell you exactly how it is - good, bad or indifferent.
As far as our testing methodology goes, we review all wedges properly, which means we have used each one across multiple rounds and in practice to assess every aspect of performance in all conditions. For example, if a wedge claims to be the ultimate chipping club, we will test that theory from any and all lies possible. Specific to the best wedges for chipping, we have tested every club thoroughly to assess the level of spin, feel and turf interaction. We were also keen to find out how forgiving each model was and if there were any differences in flight or ball spin off the face of each club.
This comprehensive testing style is not just exclusive to wedges as we test with the same level of thoroughness across all gear categories. For more information on how Golf Monthly tests products, take a look at our methodology here. Wedge testing is headed up by Golf Monthly Staff Writer Andrew Wright who is currently using a set of Titleist Vokey SM9 wedges.
What you need to consider when buying new wedges
1. Gapping
It's important to fill the yardage gaps in your bag. It's important to know your distances before buying wedges so you don't have 20 yard gaps between your more lofted irons and lower lofted wedges.
2. Bounce
Low-bounce wedges are more suited to hard fairways and tight lies, while high-bounce wedges are better for softer ground conditions and bunkers. The most bounce you will ever see on a wedge is about 18°, but it can be as low as 2°. What bounce you should get is determined by a number of things - the steepness of your attack angle, the firmness of the fairways you play on and what type of shots you want to play with your wedges.
3. Forgiveness
Chipping can be hard. So hard that the 'yips' word can be thrown about for players that struggle with it. Therefore, having a wedge forgiving enough on chip shots can be a game-changer for your short game. Confidence is everything in golf, and if your wedge is forgiving enough it can inspire that mental fortitude to help you get up-and-down from the trickiest of spots. For more information on clubs that can help you hit consistently sweeter golf shots, visit our guide to the most forgiving wedges.
4. Grooves
While grooves are now tightly regulated, it is still well worth keeping up to date with the latest designs, which use new milling processes and groove shapes to help move water and dirt away from the ball at impact to create extra spin and improve control. The tackiness of the club face can really play a difference when you're looking to drop the ball as close as you can to the hole, so for that reason, try to find a club that has a milled, or even micro-milled clubface that will latch on to the ball on impact and add more revolutions onto your golf shot.
5. Testing
There are so many different custom fitting options for wedges given the different bounce, grind and loft options. It's worth your time to go to your PGA professional or local golf store to hit a few wedges to find what best suits you own game before making your purchasing decision.
While this guide sets out some of the best golf wedges for chipping, you may also want to think about getting a couple of wedges that will assist you over longer approach shots too. For that reason, be sure to take a look at our guides on the best golf lob wedges and best golf pitching wedges, which both set out some of the best golf clubs for those longer approach shots into the hole.
FAQ
What degree wedge is best for chipping?
For most golfers, a gap wedge or a sand wedge with loft of between 52° and 56° will produce the most consistent outcome when chipping. This is because you'll be able to play most short-game shots you're likely to come across out on the course. However, it's worth investing some time to find out which option suits you best.
Is a 52 degree wedge good for chipping?
We think any of the best gap wedges are great clubs for chipping. They offer great versatility in terms of shot selection and normally don't require too big a swing to hit the ball the right distance.
What is the easiest wedge to chip with?
Generally speaking, for a basic chip shot, it's slightly easier to use a gap wedge or a sand wedge instead of a lob wedge. That's because you don't have to swing as hard or as long, therefore increasing your margin for error. It also depends on the situation and your own technique. If you tend to get a bit steep, a wedge with a high degree of bounce will help and vice versa.
Should you chip with a 60 degree wedge?
In certain situations, a 60-degree wedge is the ideal club to chip with. For example, say you have a bunker between yourself and the flag and need to get the ball up in the air quickly and land it softly, you want to use your most lofted club. For that, we have also put together a guide on the best lob wedges currently on the market.
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