- Updated: December 23, 2022
9 Best Wedges for Mid Handicappers 2023
Roughly 1/3rd of all the shots that make up a round are struck with a “golf wedge” of some kind.
One of the fastest ways to lower your scores consistently is by gaining expertise and confidence with wedges in your hands.
Our favorite wedges for mid handicappers in the 2023 season are the Titleist Vokey SM9s. Vokey has spoiled users by continually tweaking and expanding their wedge lines with the promise of having the perfect bounce and sole grind option for every course condition and swing style.
1 |  OUR TOP PICK | Titleist Vokey SM9 Wedges |
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2 |  ALTERNATIVE | TaylorMade Hi-Toe 3 |
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3 |  ALTERNATIVE 2 | King Cobra Snake Bite Black |
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9 Best Wedges for Mid Handicappers 2023
- Titleist Vokey SM9 Wedges (Consistent & Dependable Performance)
- TaylorMade Hi-Toe 3 (Most Versatile New Wedges for Mid Handicap)
- King Cobra Snake Bite Black (Customizable & High Spinning Pick)
- Mizuno T-22 Wedges (Forged Quality Wedge)
- TaylorMade MG3 Tiger Woods Grind Wedges (Increased Heel Relief)
- Callaway Jaws Full Toe Raw Face Wedges (Easy & Versatile Pick)
- Cleveland RTX Full Face ZipCore Wedges (Forgiving Wedges for Mid Handicappers)
- PING Glide 4.0 Wedges (Versatile Pick)
- PXG Sugar Daddy II Wedges (Luxury Wedge for Mid Handicappers)
Below is a detailed breakdown of the best features of each wedge we selected as the best wedges for mid handicappers in 2023.
Be sure to stick around to the end of our article, where we discuss a few of our favorite wedge characteristics to help you find the best wedges for your specific golf game.
1. Titleist Vokey SM9 Wedges (Consistent & Dependable Performance)
“Vokey Wedges” has a name and identity directly tied to superior craftsmanship and producing an exceedingly impressive wedge lineup season after season.
The team at Titleist and Bob Vokey, in particular, have spent literal decades sculpting and developing Vokey Wedges’ six tour-proven sole grinds to accommodate any type of player’s swing and any course conditions a player may face.
Vokey’s sole grind options include an F Grind, M Grind, S Grind, D Grind, K Grind, and L Grind.
The F Grind is available in wedge lofts of 46 through 56 degrees and is for players who prefer a full sole for full shots or like to hit their wedges from a square club face.
The M Grind is available in wedge lofts of 56 through 62 degrees and is described as a “multipurpose” grind for versatility. The M Grind works particularly well for players who like to manufacture shots around the green and have a shallower, more sweeping swing style.
The S Grind is available in wedge lofts of 54 through 60 degrees and is described as a grind built for players that prefer using a simple technique and do not want to manipulate their shots around the green.
The D Grind is available in wedge lofts of 54 through 60 degrees and is designed for players with a steep angle of attack, take deep divots, and need relief through the turf.
The L Grind is only available in the 60 degree wedge and has the lowest bounce of all the grind options. It works best with precise players and firm turf conditions.
Lastly, the K Grind is the highest bounce sole grind in the lineup and is available in wedge lofts of 58 and 60 degrees. Vokey describes the K Grind as “the ultimate bunker club,” with its incredibly high bounce not allowing the leading edge to dig into the sand.
In addition to the loft and bounce options of the Vokey SM9s, players have their choice of three updated finish color variations. An updated and anti-glare Tour Chrome, a sleek Brushed Steel, and a sharp Jet Black.
With every new generation of Titleist Vokey wedges, users can expect technological advancements aimed at making their experience better.
The SM9 wedge design raises the already forward center of gravity even further to promote a more controlled ball flight and solid contact.
SM9’s new grooves are cut to the edge to maximize spin, and a new heat treatment is applied to the impact area of every SM9 to double the durability of the grooves. (making the SM9’s a solid investment)
Titleist Vokey SM9 wedges are available in loft options starting at 46 degrees and ending at 62 degrees, with players’ choice of True Temper Dynamic Gold shafts in Steel or Graphite.
As a “wedge only” manufacturer, Bob Vokey has continually demonstrated his dedication to creating new and versatile wedge options for players to perform their best.
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2. TaylorMade Hi-Toe 3 (Most Versatile New Wedges for Mid Handicap)
The Hi-Toe 3 Wedges are TaylorMades newest release to the wedge market and were designed for a player wanting precision and versatility at a lower trajectory thanks to the extended toe design.
The Hi-Toe 3’s are available in six different loft options ranging from 50 to 60 degrees. The 58° and 60° wedges are available in three bounce options based entirely on the player’s turf conditions and swing styles.
The “Standard Bounce” is for the average player that plays in medium turf conditions and takes a medium to shallow divot. The “Low Bounce” option is better suited for a “sweeper” type swing that takes very little divot with wedge swings. Lastly, the “High Bounce” option is for players with a steeper swing that take deeper divots and play in softer conditions.
TaylorMade uses the KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 Steel as their stock shaft with purchase.
The Hi-Toe 3 wedges are crafted from an exceedingly soft 8620 Carbon Steel, and by being machine milled, they are guaranteed to have the exact specifications intended by TaylorMade engineers.
The extended toe design of the Hi-Toe wedge helps to raise the center of gravity closer to the center of the face for better contact and a lower, more controlled launch angle. Additionally, TaylorMade has thickened the toe section adding more weight to that area of the club head to further control where the center of gravity is for better launch conditions and more solid contact.
Besides changing the center of gravity, the extended “toe” section of the wedge face allows for tons of shot-making capability and more overall face surface area for a greater chance of crisp contact.
“Full-length scoring grooves” are across the entirety of the Hi-Toe 3 wedges with “Raised Raw Micro Ribs” between each groove for added texture and improved spin performance on all shots.
Lastly, the Hi-Toe 3 wedges come with a specially designed sticker on their faces that, when removed, immediately begins the rusting process to maintain spin rates for the life of the wedge.
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3. King Cobra Snake Bite Black (Customizable & High Spinning Pick)
The King Cobra Snake Bite Black wedges feature spin-maximizing Snakebite Groove Technology but with a new Satin Black finish that is highly durable and reduces glare in the sunlight.
The Snake Bite Black wedges loft options begin at 48° and end at 60°. Each wedge within the line has the player’s choice of a Classic, Versatile, or “Wide Low” Grind.
The Classic Grind features a medium width sole with high bounce and trailing edge relief. High bounce wedges work great for neutral to steeper swings and a variety of course conditions.
The Versatile Grind has heel and toe relief for easier shots with an open face, and a center notch keeps the leading edge closer to the ground. All swing types and medium to firm turf conditions will excel with the Versatile Grind.
The Wide Low Grind has a wide, low bounce sole that works wonders out of soft bunkers and medium rough. Neutral to steep swing styles and soft to medium turf conditions will love this grind.
The new Snakebite grooves use a re-engineered cutting method that replaces tools more frequently to create the most accurate and sharp grooves possible. The new design results in 11% deeper grooves and 40% sharper groove edges to maximize the spin potential of the golf ball.
Traditional groove design is used on the lower loft wedges in the Snake Bite line (48°-54°). Besides allowing players to use the edge of the grooves to align themselves, the grooves themselves are narrower and deeper to optimize spin on square faced shots.
A full face groove design is used on the 56°-60° wedges extending the overall playable face area. Wider and more shallow grooves create more spin on higher lofted shots, hence their positioning on the higher lofted wedges.
The King Cobra Snake Bite Black wedges come standard with a KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 steel shaft, and players have the option of using included Arccos Smart Sensors that connect to the Arccos Caddie app for more precise practice and club/ball flight characteristics.
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4. Mizuno T-22 Wedges (Forged Quality Wedge)
Mizunos T-22 wedges are made using Mizunos signature forging process for an incredibly soft feel with maximum control.
The T-22’s immediately differentiate themselves from competitors by being offered in single degree increments (unlike the 2-degree jumps every other wedge manufacturer releases) for greater player customization and preference in the wedge choosing process.
Included within the T-22 wedge line are four different bounce configurations; the S Grind, D Grind, C Grind, and X Grind.
The S Grind corresponds with loft options ranging from 45 to 58 degrees and features a little more bounce for players who like to hit square face wedge shots, play in medium to soft conditions, and tend to take a divot with wedge shots.
The D Grind corresponds with loft options ranging from 54 to 58 degrees and features medium bounce characteristics for a more versatile wedge in general. The D Grind works exceedingly well for players who face medium course conditions.
The C and X Grinds correspond to higher lofted wedges (between 58 and 62 degrees) and have the lowest bounce available. These grinds are best suited for players who like to manipulate their wedges around the green, have a more sweeping swing, and play in medium to firm course conditions.
The wedges themselves are forged in Hiroshima, Japan, in a “grain flow one piece” forging process out of high-density Boron. This creates an exceptional feel and provides immense feedback to the players’ hands after contact.
Mizuno says the T-22 wedges feature a “Spin Weighted Blade Design,” which is the formal way of saying they flare and taper the upper portion of the blade to create a higher consistent spin and a more penetrating trajectory.
The T-22’s feature “Hydroflow Micro Grooves” that are laser etched to release moisture and reduce spin drop-off in wet conditions. Additionally, the grooves are loft specific and cut into the Boron infused steel for a much longer lifespan.
Mizuno also exceeds competitors in the wedge customization space by offering the T-22 wedge line with thirty (30!) different steel and graphite shaft options and 22 additional grip options at no additional upcharge from every premium shaft and grip manufacturer on the market.
In addition to the bounce, loft, shaft, and grip options, Mizuno offers the T-22 line in four distinct finish options. Denim Copper, Satin Chrome, a new Blue ION (as pictured above), or a Raw finish that will rust over time.
Both the Satin Chrome and Denim Copper finish options include a micro-layer of soft copper beneath the face. Mizuno engineers found this micro-layer of copper provides an extra millisecond of control at impact.
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5. TaylorMade MG3 Tiger Woods Grind Wedges (Increased Heel Relief)
The TaylorMade Milled Grind 3 Tiger Woods Grind wedges feature a unique grind on each sole that was designed by, you guessed it, Tiger Woods.
When asked about his participation in the wedge project, Tiger said, “Wedges have always been very personal to me. Back in the day, I would test dozens of wedges and hit hundreds of shots before finding the one that would make it into my bag. I’d hand grind the sole myself after each session to make sure it was absolutely perfect. The MG3 Tiger Woods Grind is the result of all those years of testing and competing across the globe.”
Interestingly, only two loft options are available in the Tiger Woods Grind MG3s, a 56° sand wedge and a 60° lob wedge. Also interesting, the “TW Grind MG3s” are offered with a Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 steel shaft as the only stock option.
The 56° wedge is a dual sole with heavy heel relief for tons of playability and versatility. In contrast, the 60° has an extremely high bounce on the leading edge with a shaved heel for the possibility of open faced flop shots and high performance on tight lies at the same time.
The MG3 Tiger Woods Grind wedges feature “Raised Micro-Rib” technology between the grooves for added face texture to deliver more precision on partial shots and additional spin. The updated “ZTP Raw Groove Design” features sharper, narrower, and deeper grooves than previous models of MG3.
Also included in the Tiger Woods Grind wedges is “Raw” Face Technology. The wedge face is left un-plated, so it will rust over time to preserve consistent spin while also delivering better performance in wet conditions.
The TaylorMade Tiger Woods Grind Milled Grind 3 wedges are perfect for players that are confident in their short game and want tools that will allow them to experiment with tricky shots around the greens.
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6. Callaway Jaws Full Toe Raw Face Wedges (Easy & Versatile Pick From Callaway)
The Jaws Full Toe Raw Face wedges from Callaway are their newest, even more versatile version of their ever-popular “Jaws” line.
Interestingly, the new Callaway wedges loft options begin at 54°, stop at 60°, and jump ahead to offer a 64° option. Even more interesting, there is only one universal “C Grind” available, eliminating a lot of the headache that comes with personalizing your wedge setup.
Callaway uses the new True Temper Dynamic Gold Spinner as the stock steel shaft and the Project X Catalyst Wedge as the stock graphite shaft option.
The Callaway Jaws wedge is designed for every type of player and every type of turf. “Versatility” was the number one priority in Callaway’s design process here.
Hinted at in the name, the “Jaws” Full Toe wedges feature Callaway’s iconic Jaws grooves, which Callaway boasts are “the most aggressive grooves in golf.” On top of that, Callaway implements an “Offset Groove-in-Groove Technology” that adds more friction to the face, and the grooves have been extended to cover the whole face for more surface area and spin control.
The new “Full Toe” shape provides more face area for easier contact with an enhanced toe peak. The shaping works in unison with the universal C Grind to make short game shots feel easier to accomplish, particularly bunker shots and high flops.
This wedge differs from other Callaway Jaws wedges over the years because it includes a Raw face. The “raw” uncoated metal on the face will rust over time, preserving spin for the life of the wedge.
Callaway has thickened the toe-pad to raise the center of gravity away from the hosel and closer to the center of the club. Additionally, Callaway implements a variable weight port system on the back of the Jaws club heads with the most weight closer to the toe, all in an effort to put the center of gravity as close to the middle as possible for greater distance and trajectory control.
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7. Cleveland RTX Full Face ZipCore Wedges
Cleveland’s RTX Full Face ZipCore wedges are one of our favorite options for mid handicappers because they take bounce and shaft options out of players’ hands by only offering one universal bounce degree and one mid to high spin shaft (Dynamic Gold Spinner Steel) with every loft available from 50 to 64 degrees.
The RTX Full Face wedges are powered by a low density “ZipCore” that sits inside the hosel of each wedge. “ZipCore” technology allows Cleveland club engineers to remove weight from the heel side and add weight to the toe side of the club head, shifting the center of gravity closer to the center and boosting the overall forgiveness of the wedges. This technology adds spin, enhances control, and boosts consistency on all wedge shots.
The RTX Full Face’s “UltiZip Grooves” are sharper, deeper, and narrower than any previous Cleveland wedge grooves. The UltiZip grooves feature technology to channel more debris away from the golf ball for more clean contact, and the grooves themselves are closer together for more groove contact per shot hit.
Like the previously mentioned Vokey SM9 wedges, the Cleveland RTX Full Face ZipCores feature a heat treatment to the face to improve the wedge’s durability.
“Full Face grooves” means the grooves extend from the hosel all the way to the toe, covering every millimeter of the face. This “full face” of grooves means players are free to experiment and get creative to hit shots off the toe when needed but without having to sacrifice spin.
While Cleveland only offers one bounce option throughout the RTX Full Face line of wedges, they give players the option of a standard “Full Face Grind” or an even more versatile “Relief Edge Grind” for players that like to open the face for higher lofted wedge shots.
Additionally, Cleveland offers three different “leading edge options.”
A Sharpened Leading Edge is ideal for very firm course conditions and for players with a very shallow angle of attack.
The Standard Leading Edge is excellent for most conditions (Medium to Firm) and players with a neutral angle of attack.
And for players with a steeper swing or that face softer and fluffier course conditions, a Rounded Leading Edge was designed to avoid digging and improve players’ turf interaction.
The Cleveland RTX Full Face ZipCore wedges are available in two new finishes; a Tour Satin that has Medium glare reduction and does not rust over use or a Tour Black (RAW) that offers High glare reduction and will rust over time used.
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8. PING Glide 4.0 Wedges (Versatile Pick From PING)
The new PING Glide 4.0 wedges feature a complete range of loft, grind, and bounce options designed to fit every golfer.
With four different grind options to choose from (S, W, T, and E Grind), every player should be able to find a Glide 4.0 wedge to fit their swing, match their iron set, and become more consistent in their short game overall.
Each grind option is designed to match a player’s turf conditions and angle of attack to increase shot consistency.
The S Grind is available in wedge lofts of 46 through 60 degrees and is the most versatile wedge grind option suitable for most golfers.
The T Grind is a low bounce option for higher lofted wedges and is designed for more precise players with lots of creativity.
The W Grind is a wider sole grind design built to add forgiveness to steeper swings.
Lastly, the E Grind employs the old-school “Eye2” head shape with a wildly higher toe shaping, tapered hosel, and improved leading edge, specifically with better bunker play in mind.
The new Glide 4.0 wedges feature a multi-material construction combining 8620 Carbon Steel with a larger and softer activated elastomer insert to provide a wildly soft and responsive feel to users.
The Glide 4.0 wedges feature machine-milled grooves plus a new “Emery face blast” process that adds more texture to the hitting surface, creating higher friction and more spin with a lower launch.
The PING Glide 4.0 wedges are available in loft options of 46 through 60 degrees, and PING includes players’ choice of a “PING Z-Z115” steel shaft or a “PING Alta CB Slate” graphite shaft as the stock options with purchase.
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9. PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II Wedges (Luxury Wedge for Mid Handicappers)
The PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II Wedges are for our “baller” mid handicapper golfers. The wedges have a very futuristic and stunning appearance and come with a hefty price tag, but they perform exceedingly well in every area.
The 0311 Sugar Daddy IIs are available in lofts starting at 50° and ending at 62°.
The “Sugar Daddy II’s” are 100% milled and feature full face grooves, high toe weighting, and two turf and skill based grinds available at every loft, all aimed to help players lower their scores.
The BP Grind has a wide sole with a slight taper from heel to toe and has more bounce. The BP grind is optimal for lush turf conditions and sand. The C Grind will likely be the choice of better golfers or those on more firm turf conditions. The C Grind features a narrow sole with aggressive tapering from the heel to toe and a more moderate amount of bounce.
Every Sugar Daddy II wedge is CNC milled to ensure every line, curve, and angle are produced to the exact specifications PXG engineers are looking for. Triple forged 8620 Soft Carbon Steel is used to create the wedges, and PXG says they chose this material due to its prolonged durability.
The updated Sugar Daddys feature full face grooves like a lot of new wedges, expanding the hitting area and increasing the consistency of spin on shots hit across the face.
New with the PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II design is swing weight adjustability in the fitting process. A significant weight near the center rear of the club head can be adjusted in 2-gram increments during a fitting to deliver greater impact consistency and fine-tuned forgiveness.
Additionally, the “High Toe Weighting” is adjustable during the fitting process and works to position the center of gravity in the most forgiving place possible.
Lastly, the 0311 Sugar Daddy IIs are available in a standard Chrome finish or a new “Xtreme Dark” diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating. This coating extends the lifetime of the faces, produces extraordinary wear resistance, and gives a flawless look.
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Favorite Features of 2023 Wedges for Mid Handicappers
Grind Options (or lack thereof)
Depending on how serious of an “equipment junkie” you are, you might want a ton of grind options that specifically cater to your golf course’s grass conditions and your swing style.
If you’re a fan of all that new golf technology has to offer, you should likely set yourself up with a professional fitting to fully utilize everything available to you. For these types of highly customizable wedge setups, check out the Vokey SM9s, Cobra SnakeBites, Mizuno T-22s, and the PXG Sugar Daddy IIs.
If you’re on the other end of the spectrum and want something that’s going to be reliable and consistent, consider the TaylorMade Hi-Toe 3’s, the Jaw’s Full Toe’s, and the Cleveland RTX Full Face wedges. Each wedge features just a single grind option.
If you’re skilled with your hands and want to feel what the GOAT carries around, consider the TaylorMade Milled Grind 3 Tiger Woods Grind wedges. They also only have one grind option, but Tiger Woods designed it himself. Enough said.
Shaft Options
If you do decide to get a professional fitting for your wedges, you’ll experiment with different shafts. Finding the proper shaft for your wedge swing makes a world of difference in performance, how the ball launches off the face, how the ball flight looks, and how the ball performs once it hits the green. If you’ve never done this process before, be ready for a very eye-opening experience.
Mizuno exceeds every other wedges shaft options by nearly 10 fold, offering 30 different premium shaft options for no additional upcharge with their T-22s.
Full Face Grooves
The TaylorMade Hi-Toe 3’s, Cobra SnakeBites, Cleveland RTX Full Face’s, and PXG Sugar Daddy IIs all feature grooves that extend to cover the entirety of the hitting surface.
If you’re a player that likes to experiment when it comes to shots around the green, this can drastically benefit the amount of spin control you have on those quirky shots you may face.
How Many Wedges Should a Mid Handicapper Carry?
There are no set rules regarding the number of wedges a mid handicapper carries.
If I were just beginning to play the game again, I would do exactly as I did in the past and learn how to hit wedges with only two in the bag. I played and learned the game for years only having a 52° and 58° wedge.
I believe golfers who are just beginning to understand how wedges really operate and where their low point needs to be to hit wedges effectively don’t need to be bogged down with 3-4 wedge choices every shot.
That being said, if a mid handicap golfer feels confident in their ability with their wedges and wants a lob wedge because their turf conditions or course conditions need it, having a gap wedge, sand wedge, and lob wedge would be just fine.
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About The Author
Writers of Independent Golf Reviews
Independent Golf Reviews has tested and reviewed 1000+ golf products over the past 10 years. We use our experience and expertise to give golfers an unbiased insight on the market.
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