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When it comes to the game of golf, the wedge you use can be as important as the number of years of experience you've dedicated to the sport. Practice and technique are essential, but the wedge you're using determines the power and accuracy of your swing.
Luckily, you don't need to buy and test a thousand different gap wedges to discover which one works best for you anymore. The process of frustrating trial-and-error might still be inevitable, but the scope of wedges you need to try isn't quite as broad as it used to be. Now you can specifically target gap wedges that speak to your play style and boost your game.
With that in mind, here are ten gap wedge reviews for 2020.
Table of Contents
Top Picks for 2020
Pinemeadow Wedge
Most Cost Effective Pick
Gives value for your money
Rated by: Bill
Mizuno S18
Overall Best Pick
The dream wedge.
Rated by: Bill
Cleveland RTX 4
Best Value Pick
A well-rounded choice
Rated by: Bill
Best Overall: Mizuno S18
Quick Summary
Rated by: Bill
Taking our top spot, and with good reason, is the Mizuno S18. Designed explicitly for accuracy through geometric designs that provide high response feedback on swings, as well as control over your shot, it also features specific grooves that lend themselves to higher and stronger lofts.
On Amazon the customer S18 gap wedge reviews are glowing, which certainly justifies the slightly higher price point compared to some of its competitors.
The narrower and deeper quad cut grooves paired with the broader and shallower grooves mean that the Mizuno S18 has you covered. You can take a lower, more powerful shot or a higher shot with a greater spin in confidence. You can also tailor its loft degrees to your play style, which makes this a highly customizable gap wedge. What's better than the ability to practically design your club yourself? This is how you play with maximum control and power.
The Mizuno S18 is easily one of the best gap wedges currently available. It delivers on performance and offers all the features you need to drive a great swing and beat competitors.
Product Specifications
PROS
CONS
Best Value: Cleveland Golf RTX 4 Wedge
Quick Summary
Rated by: Bill
Second on our list is the Cleveland wedge. Similarly to the Mizuno, this wedge is made entirely from steel, which means sturdiness is assured. It is designed with more experienced players in mind, as it is built to increase accuracy on lower shots. If you aren't new to the sport, this could be a great addition to your game.
The RTX 4 is the latest edition from Cleveland, and epitomizes their attempts to stay forward-thinking in their designs. It is Cleveland's first branch into a new type of wedge since 1979, differing from their usual blade designs and incorporating more expanded grinds and closer attention to the standards professionals prefer.
If you're a seasoned golf player, the Cleveland wedge may be for you.
Product Specifications
PROS
CONS
Best Budget: Pinemeadow Wedge
Quick Summary
Rated by: Bill
Third on our list is the affordable Pinemeadow wedge. The strength of this wedge comes from its low price point while still maintaining a high standard of quality, which makes it perfect for new players. It's also highly customizable upon order, so using your first wedge doesn't have to be a process of frustrating trial and error.
If you're new to the game and are looking for a high-quality wedge that isn't going to break your bank or be too unforgiving, the Pinemeadow is perfect for you.
Product Specifications
PROS
CONS
Somewhere In Between Options
Callaway Golf Men's Mack Daddy 4
Quick Summary
Rated by: Bill
One of the more stylish editions to our list, the Callaway Mack Daddy 4 wedge comes in either a metallic chrome finish or matte black and can be fully customized on purchase to suit your play style. It also accommodates further by having multiple play styles incorporated into its design, so it's designed with the jack-of-all-trades player in mind.
Extreme control over spin, distance, and accuracy makes the Mack Daddy 4 a standout addition to any player's arsenal. In addition, there are a wide variety of grind and bounce options available for purchase which means you can have your wedge tailor made to your play style from the beginning.
For a stylish and accommodating wedge, the Callaway succeeds.
Product Specifications
PROS
CONS
Cleveland Golf 588 RTX 2.0
Quick Summary
Rated by: Bill
At number five, we have the Cleveland 588 wedge, which boasts a combination of precision and power. Its entire design lends itself to versatility, while still maintaining the necessary quality many golf players have grown accustomed to. Laser milling, Rotex milling, and tour zip grooves combine to make this a modern, yet classic golf wedge.
Alongside the standard steel material of the wedge, the Cleveland RTX 2.0 also utilizes a graphite wedge shaft designed to create an optimum feel and performance.
With the industry-standard Dynamic Gold endorsing this wedge, it's clear why it's popular amongst players.
Product Specifications
PROS
CONS
TaylorMade Golf Wedge
Quick Summary
Rated by: Bill
Sixth on our list is the TaylorMade golf wedge. Designed with full-face scoring lines that make for maximum spin control on puts, it's an ideal choice for a more experienced player wanting to take their game to the next level.
The design draws inspiration from some of the best golf clubs in the world, meaning milling grind techniques have been used to create a specific sole geometry and score lines that ensure consistent play.
Product Specifications
PROS
CONS
Cleveland Golf RTX-3 VMG
Quick Summary
Rated by: Bill
The second Cleveland wedge to make our list is the RTX-3 edition. There are several unique design features that make the Cleveland not only a natural successor to its brand's previous iterations, but also to gap wedges in general.
Weight has been redistributed in the design. This shifts the center of gravity to where you'll be putting from. Multiple laser milling techniques have been utilized to create greater accuracy. As a result, the RTX-3 VMG lives up to its cutting-edge name.
Product Specifications
PROS
CONS
Square Strike Wedge
Quick Summary
Rated by: Bill
Eighth on our list is the Square Strike wedge, which provides a truly unique edition to the list. Designed with travel in mind, the Square Strike boasts unique design features to ensure that your swings aren't going to be sabotaged by thick patches of grass or otherwise irritating resistances on the course.
The Square Strike wedge creates a smoother game for players of all skill levels with its anti-chunk sole and anti-rotational weighting. It provides heightened accommodation for missed shots and a center of gravity exactly where you need it: the dead center of the wedge. Heightened accuracy for smoother play is the Square Strike's goal, and it succeeds.
If you're new to the game or a more casual player, and you're sick of hitting turf repeatedly, this unique wedge may be the one for you.
Product Specifications
PROS
CONS
Callaway Sure Out 2 Wedge
Quick Summary
Rated by: Bill
One of the very few gap wedges on a list not made from steel, instead crafted from graphite, is the Callaway Sure Out 2 wedge. The Sure Out 2 is designed specifically for navigating difficult terrain. Sandpits are no longer the enemy of golf players, as the wedge provides a heavier swing that slices through the sand with ease.
Increase bounce is also provided with the Callaway Sure Out 2, improving the distance traveled with each put. The idea driving the design of this particular wedge is that nothing should slow down or hinder your game, including even the most frustrating of sandpits.
For a slightly different wedge that accommodates difficult terrain, go for the Sure Out 2 wedge.
Product Specifications
PROS
CONS
Don't Buy This: C3i Wedge
Quick Summary
Rated by: Bill
Despite its bold claims, The C3i wedge falls short of its lofty goals. Designed with the sole intention of rescuing players from irritating terrain, with particular investment in sandpits, the C3i doesn't even achieve what it sets out to as countless customer reviews share their less than successful experiences.
The wedge itself is heavy and clunky. It is designed to enforce a stronger swing which could (in theory) allow you to escape from a sandpit with ease, but it is more of a hindrance than a help. A traditional sand wedge serves the same purpose without any of the unnecessary additions that only complicate play.
Unfortunately, this particular gap wedge presents itself on all accounts as nothing more than a gimmick. The right pieces are in place with the extra-wide wedge for reduced turf resistance and cleaner slicers from beveled edges. However as a whole, this wedge falls short because it's a pain to hold and carry.
Product Specifications
PROS
CONS
What to Look For When Purchasing the Best Gap Wedge
Gap wedges are a necessary component of any game of golf, so knowing which ones are best for your play style is essential (you can learn even more by reading our full wedge buyers guide). They make a difference for both casual weekend players and those who compete in professional tours alike. The following factors are all things to take into account when purchasing a new gap wedge:
- Grooves: Though they are tightly regulated in more professional settings to minimize any unfair advantage, grooves can still vary and knowing which variety achieve what results is integral to your best game
- Sole grinds: The shape the sole of the wedge takes toward the back is known as the sole grind. It can affect your game-play, as this is the part of the gap wedge that denotes the depth of your bounce.
- Know your bounce: As a rule of thumb, 4-6 degrees of bounce is considered low and 7-10 degrees is considered more mid-level. The difference depends on your terrain. Lower bounce is for sweep shots. Higher bounce is for a broader range of turf that may require some additional tricks (looking at you, sandpits)
For further information about which gap wedge will be the best for your game, check out this Golf Wedge Buying Guide. It goes into greater detail on loft, bounce, sole grinds, and other topics to help you make a more informed decision.
Final Thoughts
The greatest gap wedge for your game will differ entirely from another player; it's all about knowing what you want to achieve with your swing and getting the right gear for your goals.
Not every gap wedge is going to be best for you. Know your game, know your play style, and then purchase whichever gap wedge you think suits your needs the best. All that we have listed are quality gap wedges, but the one that's best for you is a decision only you can make.
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