Choosing the right type of wedge for your handicap can have a significant impact on your performance, whether you’re a high or mid handicapper. While many golfers seem to believe that wedges are basic clubs that aren’t as advanced as carefully designed golf irons or drivers, carrying the right wedge for your needs and skill level may change the way you play in many different ways.
However, using a wrong type of wedge for a shot can also cause a whole host of problems, especially if you are a beginner. This is why we’ve prepared a set of tips and tricks that will help you choose excellent golf wedges for mid handicappers, including the best sand wedge for a mid or high handicappers, as well as the top wedges for high handicappers. Read on!
How do you figure out your golf handicap?
To seasoned golfers, talking about their handicap is as important as discussing clubs and tees. However, if you are an amateur, you may be less familiar with the concept of handicap and the right way of determining it for yourself.
So, what is handicap exactly? Simply put, the handicap in golf was introduced to level the playing field for golfers of varying skill levels. Better golf players have lower handicaps, while total beginners tend to have the highest handicap scores. Essentially, your handicap is a measure of the number of strokes over or under par that you can play at your skill level.
In order to calculate handicaps, The United States Golf Association relies on a formula that evaluates:
- Course rating: the level of difficulty of a course to a scratch golfer.
Golf handicap calculations can be quite confusing, especially for beginner golfers, so don’t worry if you can’t seem to get the hang of it.
What types of wedges are there?
There are several different types of golf wedges that offer different loft degrees, and are in turn used for different purposes. Here are the four main wedge types:
- Pitching wedges offer the least amount of loft, typically ranging from 44 to 50 degrees. Golfers usually use these wedges to hit the green and sometimes to achieve a longer chip shot. When a ball is struck with a good pitching wedge, it tends to travel high in the air (typically from around 110 yards to around 140) and doesn’t roll too far on the green.
- Gap wedges typically carry a loft between 46 and 54 degrees, and are most often used for fuller shots, as well as those that are too long for sand wedges and too short for pitching wedges. These wedges are also called utility wedges (UW) or attack wedges (AW).
- Sand wedges feature a wider and heavier sole design that allows for a loft of 54 to 58 degrees. A sand wedge is typically used for hitting the ball from bunkers or sand traps, but can also be used for a variety of other purposes. These wedges tend to be shorter than other types of clubs, which allows golfers to put a good spin on the ball. The best sand wedges for high handicappers have hollowed-out heads and a raised section in the middle sole.
- Lob wedges typically have a loft between approximately 60 and 65 degrees, the highest loft among all wedge types. Golfers tend to use lob wedges for precise shots around the green, sending the ball flying high quickly into the air.
What wedges should a mid handicapper carry?
As an intermediate golfer, you should strive to improve your game even further by using the right type of wedge. While you don’t have to carry every wedge type available as a mid handicapper, and some golfers only choose to find the best pitching wedge for a mid handicapper or the best sand wedge for a high handicapper, you should know what each wedge brings to the table and how you can use them to achieve the best results.
Typically, intermediate golfers use wedges that have moderate loft, such as pitching wedges between 50 and 60 degrees of loft. It is also a good idea to have a gap wedge in your bag, with about 50 degrees of loft. We recommend choosing wedge sets that are specifically designed for high and mid handicappers, as a more advanced option may not fit your style of play.
What are the best wedges for high handicappers?
While expert golfers tend to carry up to 3 wedges, many novice players like to experiment with different kinds of wedges, carrying 4 or 5 in their bag. While it’s great to try different things when you first start playing, you should know which type of club is best suited for each circumstance if you wish to improve.
In general, novice golfers should opt for forgiving wedges that are designed for easy use. For instance, the best sand wedges that have a wider sole give more bounce, meaning that the wedge will have an easier time getting the ball airborne. Additionally, a higher bounce makes the wedge more forgiving for novice players, enabling them to get the ball out of a bunker much more easily, as well as controlling fat shots inside 100 yards.
The best golf wedges for high handicappers are those that can be used for many different purposes. For example, the best pitching wedge for a mid handicapper can serve as quite a versatile club. However, while versatility is a trait to look for, it’s often better to stay away from customizable and adjustable wedge options, as they can be quite confusing for novices.
Where to find the best wedges in golf for mid & high handicappers?
At BombTech Golf, we specialize in designing and manufacturing golf clubs that enable amateur golfers to improve their performance and find confidence quickly. Our wedges run from 52 to a staggering 72 degree loft on our limited edition Grenade wedge.
If you are looking for the best wedges for beginner golfers and high handicappers, or the best pitching wedge for a mid handicapper, don’t hesitate to check out our online offer. All of our products are backed up by a 60-day money back guarantee, and can be purchased safely through our online payment system that uses encrypted SSL security. Reach out to us today!
