Best sand wedge – 2023

Most amateur golfers hate being in the sand trap. But what’s worse than being in the sand trap is when you can’t get out of it. Having a sand wedge that you trust to help you get out of the bunker and spin it close to the pin is essential. There are lots of wedges on the market, and they all claim to be the absolute best. Here are five of the best sand wedges we found for 2022.

One of them SHOULD be in your bag.

Callaway Mack Daddy 5 Jaws Wedge

Cleveland RTX 4 Wedge

Wilson Harmonized

Best sand wedge 

TaylorMade Golf MG2 Wedge

The TaylorMade Golf Milled Grind 2 or MG2 wedge is designed for maximum performance and versatility. The goal behind this wedge is to be more precise and balanced. After all, when we are chipping around the greens, it is necessary to have control and precision.

One of the significant advantages of the MG2 is that weights were repositioned to help improve forgiveness and trajectory control. As a golfer, you are not going to always need your wedge to fly high. There are times that a mid flight golf wedge shot is essential; with the MG2, you will have the ability to create that.

An advanced milling process was used in creating the TaylorMade Golf MG2 Wedge. This helps to ensure that turf interaction is as good as it gets with this club in your hand. In addition, you can choose between low bounce, standard bounce, or high bounce to find the proper fit for the needs of your game.

Pros

• Impressive all-around performance
• A good choice for a variety of golf handicaps
• Several bounce options
• Advanced milling techniques

Cons

• Priced higher than other similar wedges

xE1 Sand Wedge & Lob Wedge

The xE1 Sand Wedge is likely a name that you have not heard of in the past. This is not one of the name brand wedges; however, it has technology that is worth looking into. If you are a golfer that hits a ball in the san and takes several shots to get out, the xE1 is the perfect choice to consider.

This wedge is nicknamed the Out In One golf wedge. This means that with the AutoGlide Sole that the xE1 has in place, you will have no trouble escaping this bunker with one simple swing. The sole of the sand wedge is very wide and helps players lift the sand out of the way and get their ball on the green.

In addition to the functionality out of the bunkers, the xE1 is an excellent choice for a flop or lob type shot. The xE1 is a perfect choice for those that are higher handicappers and need help improving the short game. When you can get quick and easy results out of a bunker, the ability to score will get quite a bit easier.

Pros

• Easy to launch
• It helps golfers get out of the bunker in one swing
• Reasonably priced for the functionality

Cons

• It doesn’t have as much workability or control as a blade style name brand wedge

Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge

The Callaway Mack Daddy CB Wedge is a brand new release from Callaway. With how great the Mack Daddy Jaws wedge have been, Callaway wanted to provide an option that allows for greater forgiveness and more performance and spin for the average golfer.

One of the things we love about the Mack Daddy CB is that it is very clean looking yet still offers high level of performance. The progressive design also allows for a very easy transition from the wedges to the irons. You can get the Mack Daddy CB in lofts from 46 to 60 degrees.

There are four sole grinds in the new CB wedge. You can combine the sole grinds and lofts to set yourself up with the perfect golf wedge combination in your bag. The Mack Daddy CB gives you very crisp turf interaction and increased player confidence. If you have considered the Mack Daddy Jaws wedge but think it doesn’t offer enough forgiveness, the new CB is a perfect choice.

Pros

• Groove in groove technology for extra spin
• Four sole grinds to choose from
• Soft feel
• Available in two finishes

Cons

• It won’t have quite as much spin as the Jaws wedges

Cleveland RTX 4 Wedge

At the top of our list is the Cleveland RTX 4 Wedge. Between the Tour Zip Grooves, the Progressive center of gravity, bounce options, and different finishes, the RTX 4 has undoubtedly earned its spot as the best sand wedge on the market. Cleveland has always been a leader when it comes to wedges, and the RTX 4 is a standout for the mid to lower handicappers.

The grooves on the RTX are really what set it apart. With a sand wedge, you need lots of spin and workability. The RTX is one of the higher spinning wedges we have seen. If you are playing with an older club that has some wear in the grooves, you will notice a change the minute you switch to the RTX.

The bounce and sole grind options are kept relatively simple with the Cleveland wedges. You won’t have to study for days to pick out the best choice for your game. We do recommend going with the mid to high bounce for sand wedges. The extra bounce angle can help you with those bunker shots.

Pros

• Very affordable
• High spinning
• Classic look and feel

Cons

• Some golfers will find the stock shaft a little heavy

Wilson Harmonized

Wilson golf clubs sometimes get overlooked when it comes to performance. They are generally known for being for beginner golfers and not having quite as much feel as other wedges. The Wilson Harmonized sand wedge is a club that offers a ton of performance for the price that it is offered.

We love the simplistic and classic design of the Wilson Harmonized. This club has a sloe grind that will be easy to adjust to whatever type of shot you like to hit. If you want to open this wedge up and feel more like a lob wedge, you can easily do so.

The only major downside to the Wilson Harmonized is that the finish is the traditional chrome, making it a little difficult to see in sunny conditions. Other than, you will get excellent performance and feel from a wedge offered at a fraction of the cost of other wedges on the market.

Pros

• Great feel
• Blade style
• Easy to open the clubface

Cons

• Shiny finish can produce quite a bit of glare

Callaway Mack Daddy 5 Jaws Wedge

Overall a golf wedge is not going to be nearly as expensive as a driver or a fairway wood. This can be a bit ironic because the sand wedge is a club that will probably be used more times in a round than a five or three wood. The Callaway Mack Daddy 5 Jaws Sand Wedge is priced a bit higher than some others on the market, but this is one of the best wedges golf has to offer.

The Mack Daddy series has been around for several years now, and it is a very high performing sand wedge. Each release of the Mack Daddy Jaws wedges gets a little better feeling and a little more forgiving as well. This is one of those wedges in golf that will work for a mid to low handicapper, but it is not a terrible idea for a high handicapper to use the club either.

The superior feel comes from 8620 mild carbon steel. We love the fact that you can choose from so many different grind options that this sand wedge will end up feeling like it is custom fit for your short game.

The Jaws has a traditional blade-style look and sole, so you will have confidence when hitting out of a bunker.

Pros

• Great feeling wedge
• Available in other degrees as well
• Many grind options

Cons

• Not the most forgiving wedge on the market

Cobra Golf King Mim One Length Wedge

The Cobra Golf King Mim is a brand new release to the market, and we love some of the features that have been put in place to make it even more forgiving. Most importantly, this is the One Length Wedge. The wedge is going to be the same size as your seven iron.

With the one length concept, you won’t have to adjust your stance and set up nearly as much as you do with progressive length golf clubs. This can make shots around the green that much easier. Some golfers (especially newer golfers) struggle with all of the tweaks and adjustments they have to make around the green.

If you want an excellent feeling wedge, with plenty of bounce and a versatile sole grind, the King Mim is a great choice. The CNC milled face and grooves give you a tremendous amount of workability and feel out of the bunker and any lie around the green.

Pros

• Metal injected molded
• Available in 56 or 60 degree
• One length makes setup much easier

Cons

• If you don’t play with one length irons, this club will be an adjustment

Cleveland CBX 2

The Cleveland golf company will make our list yet again. The CBX 2 is a bit different than the RTX that won our best overall wedge, but it is one of the best wedges for a higher handicapper. The CBX 2 is a cavity back style wedge with a low center of gravity.

If you struggle to get out of the sand and have a hard time spinning the golf ball, this is the club that will work for you. The Cleveland sand wedges are known for their Tour Zip Grooves and the progressive spin. If you want to take a full swing with these wedges, you will get lots of performance, but it works just as well out of the bunker and in the rough.

We love how simple Cleveland keeps things with the CBX 2. You won’t have to make many decisions about bounce, grind, or finish. Most of it will have been done for you.

Pros

• Low center of gravity
• Lots of forgiveness
• Plenty of spin

Cons

• May not feel as smooth as a blade style wedge

And The Best Sand Wedge Is…

Buyers Guide

Looking for more golf wedges, be sure to check these out:

• Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge
• Square Strike review
• Beginner sand wedge
• Best 60 degree wedge
• High handicap wedge
• Best 56 degree wedge
• Best wedge for an average golfer
• Vokey SM8 review
• Types of wedges
• Cutter golf wedges
• Best wedge for backspin
• Best golf wedges
• Gap wedge

Now that you have a much better understanding of the best golf wedges, it’s time to figure out which are the best for your short game. Here are a few commonly asked questions that may help you narrow down the club choices.

What Is The Best Degree Sand Wedge?

There is no degree that a sand wedge must be. You have to look at all of the wedges in your bag and make sure that there are no large gaps between clubs. If your next wedge down from your pitching wedge is the sand, then you may play with a 54-degree. If you have a gap wedge in the bag, then you may play with a 56 or even 58-degree wedge.

Do I Need To Use A Sand Wedge Out Of A Bunker?

A sand wedge is an excellent club for hitting bunker shots, but it is not the only club that will work. Suppose you have a lob wedge or even a pitching wedge that you trust to get you out of a bunker, then, by all means, you should use it. With a bunker that is very close to the green with not a lot of room to work with before the pin, you will probably want to use something with more loft than a sand wedge.

What Bounce Should I Get On A Sand Wedge?

If you plan to use your sand wedge out of the sand and out of the thicker rough, you will want to get something with mid to high bounce. The bounce will work to help get your shot out of the sand and make it easier for the club to glide through without getting stuck. Some golfers are afraid of a club with too much bounce, but the bounce is a positive thing that can help your game.