This is our review of the best sand wedges for high handicappers, beginners, and mid handicappers in 2024.
I’m an avid golfer, a 9.2 6.7 handicap on my way to a 2 (been a 5.6) and frequent tester of golf clubs and equipment since 2015.
My sand wedge is the workhorse of my short game and getting good with it is at least half the reason my handicap is where it is.
Want to start dropping strokes fast?
Make friends with a wedge, sand wedge preferably, and your putter. Choose a wedge that performs well on full shots, partial shots, and every situation around the green.
In this review we discuss, which wedges perform well in all situations, benefits and features of each, and our recommendations.
Our Top 3 Recommendations
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Highly Recommended
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Highly Recommended
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Highly Recommended
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Primary Rating:
4.8
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Primary Rating:
4.8
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Primary Rating:
4.8
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Pros:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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Cons:
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- Excellent spin and distance control on full and partial shots
- Soft/Solid sound and feel
- Multiple Grind Options
- Expensive
- Superb feel & spin
- Good distance control on finesse shots
- Play all the shots around the green
- Gorgeous
- Pricey
- Exceptional spin rates
- Superb feel & distance control
- Available in several finishes & grinds
- Nada
Highly Recommended Sand Wedges in 2024
- Callaway OPUS Platinum (Editor’s Pick)
- Titleist Vokey SM10
- Titleist Vokey SM9 (Former Editor’s Pick)
- Callaway Jaws Raw Chrome Wedge (1st Runner-Up)
- Taylormade MG4 (Best Finesse Wedge)
- Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Wedge
- Callaway Jaws Raw Black Plasma Wedge
- Mizuno T22 Wedge (Best Feel)
- Taylormade MG3
- Taylormade Hi-Toe (Most Versatile)
#1 Callaway OPUS Platinum Wedge
- Excellent spin and distance control on full and partial shots
- Soft/Solid sound and feel
- Expensive
Our new #1 recommendation.
What we like:
- Superb spin and distance control on full and partial shots.
- Good sound and feel.
- Multiple grind options
What we don’t like:
- Expensive.
I’ve been playing the OPUS Platinum wedge on the course for a little over a month at this point. I like it from every lie and every distance.
I’ve also tested it on the range, around the green, and on my launch monitor from multiple distances. Full shots, 60-yard shots, and 30-yard shots.
I would have no problem putting it in play tomorrow or yesterday.
I find it plenty playable even though I’m far from an expert with a wedge.
Elite players as well as decent players would be plenty happy with the OPUS Platinum.
Launch Monitor #s
Shot Type | Carry | Launch | Peak Height | Spin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Full | 102 | 29* | 71ft | 8323 |
Shot Type | Spin |
|---|---|
60-yard | 6641 |
30-yard | 5132 |
Good wedge players flight their ball low (for a wedge) for more control and accuracy. The OPUS Platinum wedge helps you do this by adding a tungsten weight to the topline of the wedge.
Recommendation: A nice wedge for low to mid handicaps.
#2 Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedge
- Superb feel & spin
- Good distance control on finesse shots
- Play all the shots around the green
- Gorgeous
- Pricey
The Vokey SM10 is next on our list.
What we like:
- Superb feel, spin, and control in the short game.
- Excellent on full and partial wedge shots.
- Play any shot you want.
- Variety of finishes and grinds available.
- GEORGEOUS – best looking wedges out there.
What we don’t like:
- Pricey.
We had high expectations for the SM10, and they were met…easily.
I felt “control” with every shot. If you can dream it the SM10 delivers it.
I played the Vokey SM10 sand and lob wedge for about a month and a half.
As we expected, it performs well from everywhere. I especially had fun around the greens chipping. Almost seemed I couldn’t not get up and down.
Superb feel, just the right amount of spin, and ultimate control. Pure pleasure.
One of our testers thought it launched a little too high, but he was an outlier. I did not want to return the SM10.
Recommendation: Certainly worth a try if you’re in the market for a premium wedge.
#3 Titleist Vokey SM9 Wedge
- Exceptional spin rates
- Superb feel & distance control
- Available in several finishes & grinds
- Nada
The new Vokey SM9 was our Editor’s Pick for 2023.
What we like.
- Best spin rates tested.
- Best feel and superb distance control.
- Can play any shot you can dream up.
- Variety of finishes and grinds available.
What we don’t like:
- Too many grinds – Confusing for the average consumer.
We expected the SM9 to do well and we weren’t disappointed. There’s a reason Titleist consistently makes the most in-demand wedges in the game.
They produce tons of spin from full shots to partial shots. And, their spin numbers are consistent. We’re talking 100 rpm differences, from swing to swing on the Foresight GC3 launch monitor.
Whereas the other wedges tested had vary by as much as 500 rpm from shot to shot. (Not as ideal for control and scoring)
Recommendation: If your short game needs spin and consistency, this is where to find it.
#4 Callaway Jaws Raw Chrome Wedge
- Impressive distance control
- Great feel on both long and short shots
- Not too soft coming off the face of the club
- Spin, regardless of the lie
- Zilch
The Callaway JAWS RAW Chrome wedge is a superb wedge in every respect.
What we like.
- Consistently high spin rates on full, partial, and short game shots and from all lies.
- Good distance control and good feel.
- Variety of finishes and grinds available.
What we don’t like:
- High, but not the highest spin rates. (This is nitpicking)
This new Callaway wedge is a solid step up from past Callaway wedges.
Our testing on the GC3 launch monitor and on the course revealed high spin numbers from the RAW Chrome from every distance and from all lies.
Spin numbers weren’t as consistent at the SM9 on the launch monitor, but you won’t notice it on the course. These are scoring machines.
Recommendation: If you want a classic-looking wedge with modern technology and Roger Cleveland’s expertise, the Jaws Raw Chrome is it.
#5 TaylorMade MG4 Wedge
- Superb distance control on finesse shots
- Excellent spin numbers on full shots
- Milled grind improves turf interaction
- Slightly larger profile and more rounded look
- Darker chrome finish for less glare
- Less distance on full swings
The new TaylorMade MG4 Wedge is a solid choice.
What we like.
- Impressive & consistent turf interaction.
- Great feel and great trajectory and distance control.
- Beaucoup spin on partial and finesse shots.
- Incredible out of the sand.
- Best distance wedge tested.
What we don’t like:
- Distance loss on full swings.
The MG4 is a short-game weapon. It was the easiest wedge to dial in awkward yardages we tested and felt great while doing it. Our tester had a ball from 50-80 yards.
It’s a considerable upgrade from the MG3, which we just tested.
Recommendation: An excellent scoring wedge if you’ve got the game.
#6 Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Wedges
- Highest & Best Spin from Any Lie
- Superior Control & Accuracy
- Tight & sharp grooves offer better grab out of the sand
- Head felt a little light
The Cleveland RTX 6 Zipcore Wedge is up next. We tested the “RAW” Tour version.
What we like.
- Best and most consistent spin rates recorded from any lie.
- Superior control & accuracy. (The name of the game with wedges)
- Great versatility.
- Variety of grind options.
What we don’t like:
- Slightly “firm” feel. (We seem to disagree with most customers on this)
- Head felt a little lite to us.
The RTX 6 had the best spin from any lie we could dream up. We loved its control and consistency. It’s also a great-looking wedge.
This one’s for the more accomplished player. We like it for better mid-handicaps and low handicaps.
Recommendation: Take a look at this one if you’re a fan of scoring.
#7 Callaway Jaws Raw Black Plasma Wedge
- Similar technology and feel to Jaws Raw Chrome
- Anti-glare black finish
- Stays looking new for a longer time
- Not as consistent as Chrome version
The Callaway Jaws Raw Black Plasma Wedge lacked only in top-end spin numbers compared to our top pics.
What we like.
- Excellent spin rates.
- Great feel and great trajectory and distance control.
- Great versatility.
- Anti-glare finish.
- Variety of grind options.
What we don’t like:
- Slightly lower spin numbers.
They perform exceptionally well on the course from all lies and all distances. The Black Plasma is a scoring weapon in the right hands.
But, we put it on the launch monitor, so we wanted to let you know what we found there too.
While the raw numbers on the launch monitor aren’t quite as good as the Chrome version or the SM9, you would never know it by their performance on the course. They’ve got serious hop-and-stop chops around the green.
Recommendation: An excellent scoring wedge if you’ve got the game.
#8 Mizuno T22 Wedge
- Bargain pricing
- Exceptionally soft feel
- 4 sole grind options make customization easy
- Quad milled grooves for easier distance control and higher spin rates
- Thick leading edge may not appeal to low handicaps
The Mizuno T22 wedge is next.
What we like:
- Best feeling wedges tested.
- Good spin and distance control from variety of lies.
- Excels around the green.
What we don’t like:
- Thick leading edge may not appeal to some low handicaps
The launch monitor numbers aren’t as consistent as our top 3 recommendations, but we still found good control on the course. And, especially around the green from the rough and out of the sand.
We got the D-grind for easier manipulation of the face, but we didn’t find it necessary to do that often. It comes out of the box ready to go,
Recommendation: A solid choice for low handicaps and even some mid handicaps. Especially if soft feel and control around the green are high on your list.
#9 TaylorMade MG3 Sand Wedge
- Superior spin & control on partial shots
- Great looking
- No weaknesses
- Great turf interaction
- Good feel
- Lower spin on full swings
The TaylorMade MG3 wedge is a solid performer and just a notch behind our top pics.
What we like:
- Consistent spin rates on partial shots
- Great out of the sand.
- Great turf interaction. Feels the same every time.
- Good spin out of the rough.
What we don’t like:
- Low spin numbers on full shots.
We got decent spin numbers on our full swings – 7500 to 8500. You can play well with these numbers on most greens. The MG3 shined on partial shots. We experienced almost no loss of spin and the spin rates were consistent. Exactly what you need for scoring.
Also, we love the look and feel of the MG3.
Customers rave about the MG3’s versatility and feel from all lies and conditions.
Recommendation: A solid wedge with decent spin numbers, great feel, and good distance control.
#10 TaylorMade Hi-Toe Sand Wedge
- Good spin around the green & on partial shots
- Lots of forgiveness
- Milled from 8620 carbon steel for a premium feel
- Workability out of a tough lie
- Spin rates on full swing shots are lower than MG4
- Not purty
What we like:
- Consistent spin rates on partial shots.
- Highly versatile around the greens.
- Great from touch lies.
- Good spin out of the rough.
- Really forgiving. (great wedge if you play game improvement clubs)
What we don’t like:
- Low spin numbers on full shots.
- Looks take getting used to.
Our tester got good spin numbers on her full swings – 8500 to 9500. Spin rates on partial shots were in the 7500 rpm range.
Not the best spin numbers, but it more than makes up for it with added forgiveness. The Hi-Toe shines when you have to manipulate the face to get up quickly or get your ball our of the cabbage. So, we love it around the greens.
We couldn’t quite get used to the look at address for full swing shots. Plus the feel isn’t quite up to par with our top picks.
Recommendation: A nice wedge for mid handicappers and even high handicappers. Especially around the green.
Final Verdict
Our top 3 recommendations are ranked 1, 1.a., and 1.a.a – Yep, they’re that close in performance.
Your choice comes down to your own testing and preferences.
My #1 suggestion is to test before you buy. Either at your local golf store or take advantage of Global Golf’s Utry trial program. I use it and recommend it.
Thanks for checking out our review of the best sand wedges of 2024.
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Highly Recommended
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Highly Recommended
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Highly Recommended
|
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Primary Rating:
4.8
|
Primary Rating:
4.8
|
Primary Rating:
4.8
|
|
Pros:
|
Pros:
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Pros:
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|
Cons:
|
Cons:
|
Cons:
|
- Excellent spin and distance control on full and partial shots
- Soft/Solid sound and feel
- Multiple Grind Options
- Expensive
- Superb feel & spin
- Good distance control on finesse shots
- Play all the shots around the green
- Gorgeous
- Pricey
- Exceptional spin rates
- Superb feel & distance control
- Available in several finishes & grinds
- Nada
