Best Wedges for High Handicappers 2023

Choosing a wedge can be difficult as everybody’s needs are different. While some golfers want feel and versatility, many want forgiveness as the struggle around the greens. So what are the best wedges for high handicappers 2023 had to offer? 

When it comes to short chips, they can be nerve-racking, and require clean contact and a lot of skill. But there are a number of models from the top brands that help with ball striking. What you will find in these wedges is better spin control, cleaner strike and better consistency because of the forgiving design. 

Best wedges for high handicappers 2023

If you are a golfer who lacks confidence around the green and wants more forgiveness and consistency from your wedges, then here are some options for you… 

Callaway CB

You’re here for forgiveness and you’ll definitely it in the Callaway CB wedges. If you find yourself catching short irons either thin or fat, then this will be a good match for if you want to get some confidence with your wedges.

The CB wedge is slightly larger in profile with a full face of Jaws Raw grooves that instil confidence, while the large cavity-back design has a wide sole with high bounce so you can get under the ball with ease. Not only that, Callaway have added urethane microspheres behind the face for improved feel and sound.

These wedges make it easy to get out of bunkers, fill you with confidence around the greens, and are perfect for beginners and high handicappers. 

RRP: £149

• FULL REVIEW: Callaway CB wedges

Cleveland Zip Core CBX Full Face 2 

Forgiveness meets versatility in the shape of the CBX Full-Face 2 wedges. If you’re prone to being a bit heavy around the green, then you’ll like this wedge, as the sole design on these Cleveland wedges are more forgiving to help stop the dreaded chunks.

The new sole designs, Full Sole and C-Shape Sole, feature a new bounce chamfer near the leading edge which reduces the chances of catching it fat, which is ideal especially as it’s already equipped with a forgiving, high-MOI, Zip Core cavity back.

What is also a nice touch is the True Temper Dynamic Gold 115 Spinner Tour Issue and the Project X Catalyst 80 Spinner shaft options. These will deliver a slightly slower launch with more spin which adds to all the forgiveness that comes in CBZ Full Face 2. 

RRP: £159

Cobra Snakebite X 

Looking for assistance around the greens and don’t want something that looks like you’re sending out an SOS? Then say hello to the Cobra Snakebite X.

These look great, feel great, and have the added forgiveness you’re looking for. You can essentially play any shot and be more confident with its added forgiveness, while the feel is soft thanks to the addition of the TPU insert, and the full face of grooves deliver the spin you need – even on the shots of the toe.

From the bunker or around the green you’ll find that versatility is not an issue. The teardrop grind and the CNC milled Snakebite grooves deliver spin and control making you feel confident wherever you find yourself around the green. A great forgiving option giving you more consistency and versatility. 

RRP: £129

Mizuno S23 

The Mizuno S23 is an interesting wedge as it has a shorter hosel and a heel-orientated cavity. It essentially has a more central sweet spot that delivers more consistent and higher spin.

The Mizuno S23 may look like a normal wedge, but it’s more forgiving than meets the eye. The wedge has been designed in line with the JPX game improvement irons, so it presents similar forgiveness traits and CG location.

The grooves also handle the wetter weather well with the HydroFlow Micro Grooves, which are Quad-Cut Milled and loft specific, cut into Boron infused 1025 mild carbon steel for a longer effective lifespan.

All in all, you have a forgiving Japanese-crafted One-piece Grain Flow Forged wedge, which looks great and performs.

RRP: £169

Ping ChipR 

Are your wedges your Achilles heel? If you struggle around the green or – even worse – suffer from the yips, you’ll want one of these in the bag. The Ping ChipR has made a comeback after the huge success of the Ping Chippo. This club allows you to play those little bump-and-runs around the green just using a simple putting stroke.

The loft on the ChipR is the same as a 9-iron, while it’s a more upright and not overly long which is why is comes out a little bit lower. But one thing is for sure it’s extremely easy to use and easy to get the ball in the air.

The MicroMax grooves will surprise you at just how much spin and control you get, it’s almost a cheat code. Put this in play and you’ll gain more confidence and consistency.

Chippers are back. Get over it. 

RRP: £159

• FULL REVIEW: Ping ChipR

PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II 

If you liked the original PXG Sugar Daddy, then you’ll love this upgrade. At first glance, these are very striking, and you may think they aren’t going to be the most forgiving, but you’d be wrong. PXG are very good with adjusting the weight and tailoring a club to your needs.

Now they come in two grind options – the C-Grind and the BP-Grind, which is the most forgiving out of the two. The BP-Grind is perfect if you have that steeper attack angle as it has a wider sole, a slight taper from heel to toe, for additional bounce and maximum forgiveness.

The high-toe weighting can be dialled in on custom fits so you get the perfect weight and option for you, and it has a full face of grooves which allows you to play a variety of shots and any mishits towards the heel or toe will still have some spin. 

RRP: £299

TaylorMade Hi-Toe 3

The TaylorMade Hi-Toe 3 wedge is brilliant for the players who struggle to the ball high from tough lies including the bunkers. Now its copper finish is quite cool and visually it looks great with its full face of grooves. This is going to give you confidence on those tricky shorter chips and sandy shots with added forgiveness on mishits. 

The added Micro Ribbed Grooves give you that extra spin around the greens no matter if it’s low or high in the face and, with a number of different bounce options, its high-bounce forgiveness makes it a great option for those with steeper attack angles when playing from the rough or sand. 

RRP: £159

• FULL REVIEW: TaylorMade Hi-Toe 3 wedges

Titleist Vokey SM9 

If you’re looking for forgiveness in a wedge you may think a Vokey Wedge isn’t necessarily for you as we see a lot of low handicappers and tour pros using them – but don’t be put off by this because Vokey offer an extensive range of grinds.

There are a total of six grind options to choose from, combined with 23 loft and bounce options – so there’s something for everyone. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to get custom-fitted for this wedge. Grinds like D and K will deliver that extra forgiveness on shots around the green and make it easier to get out of bunkers, so what you get is improved greenside spin and control with Vokey’s new groove design in the SM9. 

RRP: £159

• FULL REVIEW: Titleist Vokey SM9 wedges

For more buying guides and reviews, head to our gear page and our YouTube channel.

James Tait is bunkered’s Gear Editor. Want to know how the latest Callaway driver, Vokey wedge or Scotty Cameron putter performs? He’s the guy to ask. Better yet, just watch his videos on the bunkered YouTube channel. One of the biggest hitters in the UK, James also competes on the World Long Drive circuit and is a descendent of former Amateur champion Freddie Tait.

Gear Editor