Updated on June 28th, 2023 at 07:29 pm
A gap wedge will help ensure that you don’t have a large loft gap between your pitching wedge and your sand wedge. With the pitching wedge lofts getting stronger and stronger, the gap wedge is becoming an even more critical tool in the bag. There are a few things that you want to make sure of when you choose a new gap wedge for your game. Here are the best gap wedges you can buy right now.
Best on a Budget
Best Overall
Best For Higher Handicapper
Best gap wedges – Review
Callaway Golf Mack Daddy 5 JAWS Wedge
The Callaway Mack Daddy 5 Jaws wedges are made from 8620 mild carbon steel. They have a fantastic look to them as they have a classic blade wedge look with a more modern twist. The Mack Daddy 5 Jaws wedges also have an incredible feel. Regardless of your handicap, you are going to like the way the ball reacts to this clubface.
The gap wedge for the Mack Daddy will probably be the 50 or the 52-degree option. You will have plenty of sole grinds to choose from with the Mack Daddy. We recommend something with a slightly lower bounce.
One of the main reasons the Callaway makes it to the top of our list is the wedges’ progressive shaping. The sand and lob wedges are a bit more compact, but the gap wedge will look slightly more like an iron. This is to help players transition better from the wedges to the irons in the bag. We love this feature and believe it makes a significant difference.
Pros
- Progressive shaping
- Lots of loft/sole grind options
- Can come stock in graphite or steel
- Great feel
Cons
- Not the cheapest wedge out there
Cleveland RTX Zipcore
The Cleveland Zipcore is a newer model that allows for a lower center of gravity but higher MOI. The great thing about having a higher MOI on a gap wedge is that you will often use this club for hitting approach shots into golf greens. If you want to hit these types of approach shots, you will need a club that allows for plenty of speed and spin to help the ball stop.
With the Cleveland RTX Zipcore, you can hit the shorter shots around the green as well as these longer approach shots with considerably higher ball speeds and, as a result, get the control you need.
These wedges come in various lofts, so you will have no trouble finding an option that fits within your wedge set. In addition, the sole grinds can ensure that you get a more precise overall feel in your gap wedges. Each of the clubs is treated with a heat treatment to ensure the grooves stay in great shape for years to come.
Pros
- New UltiZip Grooves
- Great durability in the wedge design
- Three sole grinds
- More consistent than other golf wedges
Cons
- It does have a thicker top-down look than other irons on the market
Cleveland RTX 4 Wedge
If the Callaway wedges are not the best fit for your golf game, the RTX 4 is a golf club that you should consider. The RTX 4 features the Rotex Face Technology that has very high functioning grooves and spin. The laser milling helps golfers have much more grab and spin when they hit shots with these wedges.
The RTX 4 is not the latest release from Cleveland, so it will be considerably less expensive than some other wedges available. We love that Cleveland keeps things simple when it comes to bounce and grind options. You will have four choices, and a few choices of the clubhead finish as well.
The best gap wedges have around 50-52 degrees of loft and a little lower bounce. The V-shaped sole is going to help make sure that you get some excellent turf interaction with this wedge, as well. Overall we love the RTX 4 for both short and long pitches around the green.
Pros
- Simple bounce options
- Clean blade look
- Lots of spin
Cons
- Not the most forgiving wedge on the market
Cleveland CBX 2
Higher handicap golfers need lots of forgiveness in a wedge. Unfortunately, a classic blade wedge known for feel and performance is not the best fit for the higher handicapper. The Cleveland CBX 2 gap wedge is a cavity back design that will work well for high handicap players.
The CBX 2 has a low center of gravity and a very clean leading edge. The CBX 2 also features lots of excellent spin technology. Many of the higher handicap golfers do not have the same swing speed as lower handicap players. This makes spin challenging to achieve. Luckily with the CBX 2, the fantastic Tour Zip Grooves will help you get all the spin you need.
The gap wedge is available in several different degrees, so you will find a club that fits in perfectly with your other wedges. The short game is known as one of the hardest parts of the game for the higher handicappers to master; the CBX2 makes it that much easier.
Pros
- Very forgiving
- Versatile around the greens
- Cavity back design
- Available in many lofts that would work as a gap wedge
Cons
- Not as much workability and control as a traditional blade wedge
TaylorMade MG2
The TaylorMade MG2 wedges are available in several different bounce options and loft options that will work for a gap wedge for the low handicappers. We love the feel that these wedges offer, making them a great choice for around the greens and approach shots into the green.
The MG2 wedges are available in a few different finishes. If you go for the raw face described as having a much better feel, you can expect it to oxidize as soon as you start using it. This is intended to give an even better feel to a golfer.
Tiger Woods is using a version of the MG2 in his bag at the moment. He appreciates the grooves and the extra spin these gap wedges are capable of creating. The MG2 wedge has a TPU insert in the back of the club that helps dampen any vibration that may happen at impact. Since gap wedges are used for full golf swings and shorter shots around the green, making sure they feel solid is very important.
For lower handicap golfers, it’s crucial to have a club that has versatility. Most of these players have lots of short game shots in their bag, and they need a wedge that can be played square, opened up, or even closed at times.
Pros
- Some of the best feeling wedges in golf
- Raw finish is a unique and high performing concept
- Versatile sole grinds
Cons
- Not very forgiving
Cobra Satin Golf Wedge
If you don’t have a gap wedge, but you think it would be an excellent addition to your golf bag, the Cobra Satin Golf Wedge could be a great choice. This is an inexpensive yet simple choice for a gap wedge. The progressive milled grooves help golfers get lots of loft and plenty of spin.
The Cobra has a technology called variable face roughness. This helps the Cobra gap wedge to have lots of grab when you are hitting wedge shots. You will have lots of control to use this club out of the bunker in addition to approach shots from the fairway.
The Cobra Satin is made with a chrome plating satin nickel that helps to reduce glare as well. This is not the latest release from Cobra, which is partly why it is offered at such a fair price. Even though this wedge may not have the same feel or spin as the new MIM wedges, this is a high performing club.
Pros
- Great from a variety of lies
- Low pricing
- Thin sole
Cons
- Not the latest technology
Cobra Golf King MIM Black
If you have not yet tried any of the golf wedges with the black finish, you are missing out on technology that can be really beneficial. The black design is there to help players reduce glare and get a better overall look of the hole. With the Cobra King MIM Black golf wedges, players will notice progressive spin technology, CNC milled faces, and some of the best technology we have seen from Cobra to date.
The new Cobra Golf King golf wedges are made with a versatile tour grind technology. This means that the wedges can work from both the rough and the short grass to help improve overall feel and precision.
The new MIM (Metal Injection Molded) system from Cobra is the technology that sets these irons apart. The entire manufacturing process is new and unique, and it brings players the forgiveness, feel and distance that they need from their golf wedges.
Pros
- Versatile tour wedge grind
- Made from 304 SS Construction
- Progressive spin technology
Cons
- Can be better to order wedges fit to your specific grind instead of a versatile
Wilson Staff Model Golf Wedges
If you have not yet tried any of the golf wedges with the black finish, you are missing out on technology that can be really beneficial. The black design is there to help players reduce glare and get a better overall look of the hole. With the Cobra King MIM Black golf wedges, players will notice progressive spin technology, CNC milled faces, and some of the best technology we have seen from Cobra to date.
The new Cobra Golf King golf wedges are made with a versatile tour grind technology. This means that the wedges can work from both the rough and the short grass to help improve overall feel and precision.
The new MIM (Metal Injection Molded) system from Cobra is the technology that sets these irons apart. The entire manufacturing process is new and unique, and it brings players the forgiveness, feel and distance that they need from their golf wedges.
Pros
- Versatile tour wedge grind
- Made from 304 SS Construction
- Progressive spin technology
Cons
- Can be better to order wedges fit to your specific grind instead of a versatile
Tour Edge Triple Grind Sole Wedge
If you have not yet tried any of the golf wedges with the black finish, you are missing out on technology that can be really beneficial. The black design is there to help players reduce glare and get a better overall look of the hole. With the Cobra King MIM Black golf wedges, players will notice progressive spin technology, CNC milled faces, and some of the best technology we have seen from Cobra to date.
The new Cobra Golf King golf wedges are made with a versatile tour grind technology. This means that the wedges can work from both the rough and the short grass to help improve overall feel and precision.
The new MIM (Metal Injection Molded) system from Cobra is the technology that sets these irons apart. The entire manufacturing process is new and unique, and it brings players the forgiveness, feel and distance that they need from their golf wedges.
Pros
- Versatile tour wedge grind
- Made from 304 SS Construction
- Progressive spin technology
Cons
- Can be better to order wedges fit to your specific grind instead of a versatile
Top rated gap wedge …
Callaway Mack Daddy 5 Jaws
We hope that our review of the best gap wedges on the market has helped you narrow down your selection. Do not be overwhelmed with all of the choices; many can be eliminated right from the start. Pay attention to your skills, strengths, and weaknesses, and find something that will work for your game.
We love the Callaway Mack Daddy 5 Jaws wedge because it will work as an excellent option for both high and low handicappers. The feel, performance, and sole grind options this wedge has to offer are quite impressive. The best news is that if you like the gap wedge, you can find this in the sand and lob wedge.
Gap wedge buyers guide
How far do you hit a gap wedge?
Most golfers will find that they need a gap wedge for distances from 75-120 yards. A gap wedge is a club that will fit between the pitching wedge and the sand wedge. This yardage is a top-rated distance to have left into a green. If you have been trying to hit your sand wedge too far or you want to stop trying to take a little off of your pitching wedge, gap wedges are a great choice.
What is the easiest wedge to hit?
All golfers will have their favorite wedge. The pitching wedge typically has a low center of gravity because it matches the iron set. This makes the pitching wedge great for full swing type golf shots, and it is very forgiving.
The gap wedge can be easy to hit as long as the sole and the club’s loft is the best fit for your game. Playing with a very high bounce blade-style lob wedge with little to no forgiveness is a tough choice for some higher handicappers. Regardless of which wedge is your favorite to hit, you should be practicing all of them quite often.
What loft is a gap wedge ?
Gap wedges can range from 48 to 54 degrees of loft. The best gap wedge for you will be the one that creates even loft gapping in your wedges. When you purchase a new gap wedge, check the lofts on your pitching and sand wedges before purchasing.
Check out more wedge reviews below:
- Cutter wedge review
- Square Strike review
- Best wedge spin
- High handicap golf wedge
- Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge
- RTX ZipCore Wedge
- Types of wedges
- Best sand wedge for beginners
- Best golf wedges
- Vokey SM8 review
- 60 degree wedge
- Gap wedge
- Sand wedge
- Callaway Mack Daddy Forged Wedge
- 56 degree wedge
- Best wedge for an average golfer
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