When it comes to selecting our golf equipment we all have different preferences. Whether it's trying to decide on the best driver or the best irons, we're all different and it's the same when it comes to the scoring clubs, like your wedges.
Others than your putter, wedges might just be the most personable clubs in your bag, so it's important to get one that you can fall in love with. Some players will want maximum spin, others demand soft feel and feedback. What all players will want, however, is forgiveness. A club that still performs well when the ball isn't quite struck out of the center of the face can be invaluable to shooting a good score and lowering your handicap as a result.
That's why we've put together this guide for the most forgiving wedges on the market because no matter your handicap or your skill level with your short game, we could all do with a little bit more forgiveness with our scoring clubs.
We've plenty more guides for you to delve into as well, including the best golf wedges for mid handicappers, the best golf wedges for beginners and the best golf wedges for chipping.
Watch: Most Forgiving Wedges 2024
The best golf wedges usually offer an excellent mix of everything. We hear a lot about forgiveness levels when it comes to drivers, fairways and irons, but it's equally important in wedges even if it is spoken about less.
Chipping and pitching shots require a great deal of skill, and just like driving, it's not always easy for amateurs to repeat the same move and find the perfect contact on a consistent basis. There are models of wedges that will help you with the quality of your short game ball striking, allow you to spin the golf ball better and therefore add greater control to your short game.
Levels of forgiveness vary from brand to brand, but we've tested some of the most forgiving wedges to help those of you who are in need to find a club that offers that that extra margin for error. Also, see some more forgiving clubs in our most forgiving drivers guide, most forgiving irons guide, and most forgiving putters guide as well. But for now, here are the most forgiving wedges we've tested.
The Quick List
The Hi-Toe 4 is a workable, versatile wedge and comes in a range of grind and bounce options - we also think the bronze finish looks awesome.
Cleveland combine performance and forgiveness in the CBX 4 Zipcore, a wedge aimed at the mid to high handicap players.
The cavity back Cleveland CBX Full-Face 2 wedge blends in better with today's modern sets for mid to high handicappers. Provides forgiveness and control.
Callaway's CB wedge is incredibly forgiving, specifically designed for maximum ease of use when pitching and chipping. Turf interaction is great and it's performance is consistent from a range of lies.
Without doubt the coolest name on this list, the Snakebite wedge from Cobra provides forgiveness and great feel so your inconsistent short game wont come back to bite you.
The Sugar Daddy II is an improvement on its predecessor. The extra grind option as well as the unique levels of adjustability make it a highly versatile wedge and one that would stack up against any on the market.
Most Forgiving Wedges
Why you can trust Golf Monthly Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Top pick
The TaylorMade Hi-Toe 4 wedge is the latest in the Hi-Toe series. We put it to the test to see how it compares...
The face and groove pattern on the Hi-Toe 4 is carried over from the MG4 wedges, known as some of the best wedges for spin control. Although the head shape may not suit everyone, this design choice offers a forgiving feel that benefits a wide range of players.
Aesthetically, the Hi-Toe 4 continues with the familiar copper finish that defines the Hi-Toe range. Combined with the raw face, the coppeer finish minimizes glare, which many tour players appreciate. The colored bottom groove definitely stood out in testing and helped with alignment too.
Performance-wise, the Hi-Toe 4 shines with its versatility and forgiveness. The Spin Tread technology ensures high spin and control, whether you’re hitting from the fairway, rough, or executing a tricky chip shot. The full-face grooves and slightly rounded leading edge are particularly forgiving, making it easier to achieve clean contact and consistent spin. Plus, the laser etching on the face helps to repel water, enhancing friction and spin—a crucial factor when playing in damp conditions.
Overall, the Hi-Toe 4 delivers both reliability and forgiveness, making it a solid choice for golfers of all abilities.
- Read our full TaylorMade Hi-Toe 4 Wedge review
Best spin control
The new CBX 4 Zipcore wedges feature the same technology found in the impressive RTX6 wedges as well as Cleveland's other best wedges. Cleveland removed the heavier steel in the hosel and replaced it with a lightweight but strong vibration dampening material. The weight saved from the heel can then be redistributed across the toe and higher on the face, thus improving MOI and providing optimal CG placement.
If you're struggling with your short game or you're just looking a little more forgiveness with those shorter shots, the CBX 4 Zipcore can help players of all abilities clean up their scoring club game. It's a wedge more aimed at higher handicap golfers, but even the low men and women can struggle around the greens, making this a great option for them, too.
- Read our full Cleveland CBX 4 Zipcore Wedge Review
Best full face
The Cleveland CBX Full-Face 2 stands out due to the grooves which are the full width of the face and also go right up into the toe. This means that when you need to open the face you can get maximum spin on the ball much easier. As you might expect from one of the best Cleveland wedges, it is rammed with technology.
Full face wedges may not be for everyone, but this Cleveland wedge is worth trying even for those who prefer more traditional wedges. Full face wedges can sometimes lack a bit of feel compared to normal wedges, but we didn't notice any drop off in that during our testing, mainly thanks to the TPU gel back insert. It doesn't feel too heavy, nor does it sound like a cavity back club and instead provides lovely audio feedback through the strike.
Lower lofted wedges like the 50° & 52° options feature a Full Sole grind, aiding forgiveness, whilst higher lofts from 54° upwards use the C-Shaped Sole which offers players more relief in both the heel and the toe of the club.
Based on our testing we would certainly say that the Full-Face 2 is one of the best golf wedges for beginners, especially as it features in a number of shaft, sole and loft options to cater for whatever your requirement is. A custom fit is recommended though so you dial in exactly what you need.
- Read our full Cleveland CBX Full-Face 2 Wedge Review
Most forgiving
Callaway CB Wedge on a grassy background
If you've ever had the dreaded chipping 'yips' or have a tendency to hit chunky pitch and chip shots, you'll know how important it is to find the right wedge to help you with such shots around the green. Callaway have specifically designed the CB wedge to cater for this.
The large cavity back offers both forgiveness and workability, whether it's on a full shot from 100 yards away or a chip from the edge of the dance floor, this wedge performs wherever you take it.
The wide base and full face groove design on the higher lofted wedges (54º to 60º) definitely inspired confidence when we placed it behind the ball during our testing sessions. This full face groove design produces a ton of spin, particularly when playing from out of the bunker.
The face has the same 'face blasted' grooves seen in the premium Callaway Jaws Raw wedge. These grooves help to create a roughness on the face which generates extra spin irrespective of the weather conditions you happen to be playing in.
Even though there's a lot of bounce on these wedges, sliding under the ball really was not an issue at all for us which is why we think this is one of the best high bounce wedges around. In summary, this is one of the best golf wedges for beginners thanks to the assistance and forgiveness it offers around the greens.
- Read our full Callaway CB Wedge Review
Best looking
These sleek progressive-groove wedges from Cobra are packed with technology to increase spin in wet conditions and they offer incredible versatility and forgiveness allowing the golfer to play a wide range of shots with confidence. The wedges are refined, simplistic and easy on the eye.
Looks matter - there's the old saying 'look good, feel good, play good', and it's true! If you like the look of your wedge, chances are you'll perform better with it as a result. These slick wedges from Cobra are packed with technology to optimize spin in a range of different lies and conditions, allowing you to chip and pitch with confidence.
This is a wedge that performs excellently in all categories. It made an impression on us right from the off with its shiny finish which really gives it a premium look. The lower lofted wedges come in a classic shape with traditional grooves, while the higher lofts have been designed with a wider, shallower shape and full-face grooves.
We found the Snakebite to be one of the most forgiving wedges on the market during our testing, an impressive feat from a company not overly known for their wedge production. Nevertheless, they've knocked it out of the park with this latest release and it's a wedge that can improve anyone's short game regardless of skill level.
- Read our full King Cobra Snakebite Wedge Review
Best adjustability
After the success of the original PXG Sugar Daddy wedges, PXG has launched the second iteration of the wedge and we certainly think it is an improvement on their previous model. As we've come to expect with PXG clubs, the visuals are very striking to say the least. They won't be to everyone's liking, but we respect them pushing the boat out once again!
Six adjustable weights on the back of the clubhead can be altered and tweaked with for increased playability, meaning you can fine-tune these wedges to suit the playing characteristics of your game. The weights add both consistency and forgiveness to your shots, allowing you to dial in your yardages and hit the same quality shots with almost every chip and pitch.
The CNC milled full-face grooves produce plenty of spin, whilst PXG have gotten rid of the teardrop shape seen on the older Sugar Daddy models, replacing it with a toe-high design to optimize forgiveness and playability. The result is one of the most forgiving wedges on the market.
There are two different sole options, a 13º BP-Grind and a 10º C-Grind. Which one you need depends on the kind of turf you usually play from. The BP-Grind gives greater spin from a sandy bunker or softer turf, while on firmer ground the 10º option is more appropriate and will aid golfers in getting increased traction on their chips.
- Read our full PXG Sugar Daddy II Wedge
How we test
When it comes to wedges, 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.
As far as our 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. We hit all sorts of shots in a range of different lies, conditions and even types of golf course to collect a broad data set. When then use this data and combine it with the non-number stuff - feel, turf interaction, looks and more.
This comprehensive testing style is not just exclusive to wedges as we test with the same level of thoroughness across all gear categories. To read more about how we test our equipment, take a look at our testing methodology here. Wedge testing is headed up by Golf Monthly Staff Writer Sam De'Ath a former competitor on the EuroPro and Clutch Pro Tours.
We pride ourselves with our reviews because they are made by golfers, for golfers. Because of our love of the game, we know what to look for (and what to avoid) in every product we test, helped by a wealth of knowledge and experienced gained from testing thousands of items across the years. No one brand gets better treatment than another, nor can a manufacturer 'buy' a pleasant review. instead, we simply call it how we see it.
Given the quality of golf equipment in today's age, we're happy to say we give a lot more good reviews than bad ones, but our goal remains the same - to help you, the reader, make the best informed golf equipment purchases to suit your game and help you (hopefully) shoot lower scores.
How to choose new wedges
1. Gapping
Find out what degree your stock pitching wedge is and go from there. Most standard PWs are 46 degrees, but some can be 48. From there, you want to make sure you don't have big yardage gaps between your clubs - for example, if your PW is 46 degrees, it would be wise to get a 50 or 52 degree wedge so you aren't leaving a gap. From there, gaps of around four degrees per wedge is optimal - eg. 52,56,60.
Knowing your yardages with your scoring clubs is of vital importance if you want to save shots in and around the green.
2. Forgiveness
Wedges are perhaps one of the hardest clubs to use when it comes to consistently hitting sweet golf shots on different lies. But you can save yourself a lot of shots, by using a wedge that provides greater forgiveness.
Everyone can use a bit of help around the greens and even professionals like Victor Hovland (sorry Vic) have struggled with the chipping 'yips'. As a result, do yourself a favour and get yourself a wedge that combines performance with forgiveness for optimal results.
3. 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°. The type of bounce you opt for should largely depend on things like your normal angle of attack, the firmness of your fairways and the type of shots you like to hit around the greens.
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.
5. Testing
While having a forgiving set of wedges can really help you score low cards, you may also want to make sure you have a good set of wedges across the board. For that reason, we've put together several guides including our guides on the best lob wedges, best gap wedges and best wedges for chipping.
FAQs
Which wedges are most forgiving?
There's no one-wedge-fits-all solution when it comes to forgiveness, but in our buying guide, we have endeavoured to find and test the most forgiving models on the market. However, wedges with high MOI are considered to be the most forgiving, especially when it comes to hitting full shots
What is the best wedge for a high handicapper?
High-handicap golfers who struggle to control strike location would likely benefit from a cavity-back wedge or one with full-face grooves. With that in mind, the Cleveland CBX Full-Face or the Ping Glide 4.0 would be great options.
What is the easiest golf wedge to hit?
Most modern wedges are now designed to provide forgiveness on everything from chip shots through to full shots. However, as mentioned above, cavity-back wedges are probably the easiest to hit due to their maximised MOI and game-improvement technology.
What degree wedge is best for chipping?
This comes down to personal preference and the type of shot you're facing. For example, some golfers might have a 'favorite wedge' they use from any and all positions, while others might mix it up depending on if they need to hit something high, low or loaded with spin. Whatever the case, it's worth heading to the practice ground to find out what works best for you.
-
The 10 Most Aesthetically Pleasing Golf Club Designs Of All TimePrepared to be wowed with this list of fantastic-looking golf clubs - designs that we rate as the best in the history of the game
-
Alignment Sticks Not Helping? These Magic Tools Will Transform Your Game... Provided You Use Them CorrectlyTop 50 coach Katie Dawkins explains how to maximise the use of alignment sticks
