The clue’s in the name – fill that gap in between your sand wedge and pitching wedge with these unbeatable gap wedges
The modern gap wedge is an overlooked golf club that doesn’t get enough recognition for its importance.
It came about after the pitching wedge decreased in loft, while the sand wedge remained the same, hence the ‘gap’ that this club fills in.
It will normally have a loft of about 50 to 54 degrees and a full swing should take the average golfer 90 to 110 yards.
Most golfers choose to buy a gap wedge after realising their sand wedge isn’t quite long enough to reach the green, whilst their pitching wedge is slightly too long.
If you’re reading this buying guide then you want to make sure you’re purchasing the best gap wedge your money can buy, so below are a collection of our favourite gap wedges on the market. Alternatively, if you’re looking for lower loft then give our best pitching wedges buying guide a read.
Best gap wedges
Callaway Mack Daddy CB Jaws Golf Wedge
Callaway have made their first foray into this new style of golf wedge with the release of the Callaway Mack Daddy CB wedge. Created by the master of wedge design, Roger Cleveland, the Mack Daddy CB wedge boasts player friendly aesthetics that will appeal to all levels of golfer. It offers much improved forgiveness coming as it does with a deep cavity back, thicker top line and an overall larger profile. Designed to blend seamlessly into a set of Callaway game improvement irons they are sure to make golfers everywhere feel more confident over those all-important wedge shots.
Pros:
- Very forgiving and user-friendly for high handicappers
- Satin finish works well in varying light conditions
- Two sole grind options
Cons:
- Limited versatility because of wide sole
Titleist Vokey SM9 Golf Wedge
The Titleist Vokey SM9 range of wedges represents their most technologically advanced design to date, and they have been created to provide a lower flight with higher spin. The performance is further enhanced by the variety of grinds available to the consumer, with each one providing distinctive features and benefits to allow for fine tuning of your wedge game in a way previously only available to tour players.
Pros:
- Brilliant levels of spin and trajectory control
- Lots of bounce and grind options to suit all swings
- Unrivalled looks
Cons:
- A custom fitting is a must to get the best set make up
TaylorMade Milled Grind 3 Golf Wedge
The TaylorMade Milled Grind 3 Golf Wedge Black is the newly released third generation of this superb range of wedges and arrives with some game changing technology that has the potential to take you wedge play to the next level. The Raw Face technology has been improved and by omitting plating from the face and grooves TaylorMade have been able to create more precise geometry which helps to optimise spin and feel. Raised Micro-Ribs have been positioned between the full grooves which has added texture on the face. This added texture adds increased spin and improves performance on shots around the green.
Pros:
- High levels of spin
- Traditional shaping
- Consistent performance
Cons:
- Not everyone will enjoy the look of the rusty face that builds over time
Ping Glide 4 Golf Wedge
The all-new PING Glide 4 Wedges look set to build upon the elite performance the Glide 3 series wedges provided, with exciting innovations and advancements in technology resulting in ‘Control You Can feel’ The PING Glide 4 Wedges feature a precision-machined face and precision-milled grooves with a new textured face blast increasing both spin & control. The Emery Face blast provides extra texture on the clubface itself, creating higher levels of friction and increasing the amount of interaction between the clubface and ball. This allows the golfer to fire low spinning wedge shots aggressively at the pin, all in the knowledge that the Glide 4 wedge will provide the ultimate stopping power.
Pros:
- High levels of spin
- Inviting address look
- Eye2 sole profile a game-changer out the sand
Cons:
- Feel off the face a little firm
Mizuno T22 Golf Wedge
The new Mizuno T22 Denim Copper Golf Wedges combine an incredibly soft feel with a classic finish and provides aggressive bite and spin like no other wedge. With distinctly classic Mizuno styling and Quad Cut Laser Etched groove technology you will be able to produce spin control and unmatched shot-making around the greens. Painstakingly constructed in Japan through their Grain Flow forging process, the T22 wedge offers exquisite feel at impact thanks to its combination of HD Boron infused carbon steel and a thin layer of copper plating beneath the nickel-chrome.
Pros:
- Ticks every box for your short game
- Provides consistent spin control and a buttery soft feel
- Ample versatility in a pleasing shape
Cons:
- Denim copper finish scuffs easily, raw finish rusts quickly
Cobra King Snakebite Golf Wedge
Snakebite technology features re-engineered cutting methods to tighten tolerances, maximise groove volume and create the sharpest and most precise grooves possible for ultimate shot making around the greens. Each groove is now 11% greater in depth with 40% sharper edges to impart exceptional spin at impact even from poor lies. The faces of each Snakebite wedge are also CNC milled to ensure ultimate precision.
Pros:
- Full face grooves are ideal for a sand wedge
- Three grinds on offer make these a great option to get custom fit for
- Plenty of spin around the greens
Cons:
- Fairly similar to the Cobra MIM wedges
Cleveland CBX ZipCore Golf Wedge
Featuring a hollow cavity design the CBX Zipcore wedge has a weight in the tow with a hollow chamber near to the heel which makes this a wonderfully balanced wedge that offers a superb level of forgiveness regardless of where on the face the ball is struck. Cleveland’s tried and tested Zipcore technology has been applied to the CBX range for the first time and this low-density core sits at the heart of the wedge, reducing vibrations and perfecting the centre of gravity. It also helps to boost the M.O.I. which improves forgiveness still further.
Pros:
- Excellent feel on all shots
- Lots of spin on offer
- Really forgiving
Cons:
- Not the best-looking from the back
Wilson Staff Model Golf Wedge
The Wilson Staff Model Wedge is a beautiful looking club and is presented in a stunning dark matte silver finish. This gives it a premium look and one that should stand the test of time without marking up too badly. Many wedge aesthetics are ruined by the back of the head being too “busy”, that is certainly not the case with the Wilson Staff Model Wedge, which excels in the bag appeal department thanks to the minimal branding on the back of the head.
Pros:
- Consistent flight
- Soft feel off the face
- Confidence inspiring
Cons:
- Not a lot of bounce and grind options
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