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Looking to shave some shots with superior short game skills? Check out our run down of the best new wedges on the market
In the market for some new wedges for 2018?
We’re all told that an improved short game is the best and quickest way to shoot lower scores.
So before going out and spending £400 on a new driver, check out the best new models below from Vokey, Cleveland, Callaway, Ping, TaylorMade, Mizuno, Bettinardi, Cobra and Wilson Staff.
In a nutshell: The No. 1 wedge on the PGA Tour used by the likes of Jordan Speith, Justin Thomas, and .
We haven’t seen wholesale changes from the SM6 models but anyone upgrading from SM5 or SM4 will notice a major improvement.
Bob Vokey has refined some of his classic shapes and grinds and tweaked the centre of gravity locations to improve consistency.
With six grinds to choose from, lofts from 46˚-62˚ and three finishes, the only way to get the best out of these wedges is to get a proper custom-fitting.
But if you’re not getting your wallet out from the looks alone, the feel, spin and performance will make it very hard not to.
SRP: £150
[skylab_video id=”136131″]Vokey SM7 Wedges review YT[/skylab_video]
More information can be found on the Vokey website.
In a nutshell: If you’re after classic shaping but with all the latest groove and spin technology then the RTX-3 must be considered.
Cleveland have been very specific with the CG locations actually taking some weight away from the hosel to move it slightly nearer to the toe.
They also use clever techniques to ensure the grooves, and most importantly, the spin will last longer than in previous models.
Check out the Tour Raw finish if you like your wedges to rust over time.
SRP: £109/£129
[skylab_video id=”131914″]Cleveland CBX vs. RTX-3 wedges test with Graeme McDowell[/skylab_video]
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More information can be found on the Cleveland website.
In a nutshell: Cleveland say more golfers should be using cavity-back wedges if they are playing cavity back irons.
They believe the jump from chunky cavity-back pitching wedge to skinny blade is just too much for many.
So with the CBX Cleveland say you won’t be sacrificing any of the spin and control you’d get from the RTX-3 but you’ll get more forgiveness from the cavity and high bounce design.
We think it makes sense but recommend testing out both styles to see which one suits best.
Read and watch our full review here
SRP: £129
[skylab_video id=”125320″]First Look: Cleveland CBX Wedges[/skylab_video]
More information can be found on the Cleveland website.
In a nutshell: Featuring what Callaway call groove-in-groove technology for more spin, the Mack Daddy 4 have been a huge hit on tour with players such as Sergio Garcia.
Wedge guru Roger Cleveland spent two years on tour researching what the world’s best wanted from a look and feel point of view and the Mack Daddy 4 is the result.
Despite being favoured by many tour players, there are some really forgiving grind options, in particular the wide-sole W-grind which is so easy to use from any lie.
Choose from a chrome or black finish.
SRP: £139
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More information can be found on the Callaway website.
In a nutshell: The Stealth is a new finish added to the Glide 2.0 range which was released in 2017.
The Glide 2.0 feature a 8620 carbon steel head with precision-milled grooves to deliver a softer feel and higher-spinning shots.
Ping have added a new half groove near the leading edge on the 56˚, 58˚ and 60˚ to improves spin and control on those shots hit slightly low on the face.
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[skylab_video id=”102456″]Ping Glide 2.0 wedges review – The Golf Shack on tour[/skylab_video]
The black ‘Stealth’ finish is designed to reduce glare and was introduced following feedback from tour players.
Read and watch our full review here
SRP: £130
More information can be found on the Ping website.
In a nutshell: Most of the TaylorMade big guns – Rory, Rose, Rahm and err… Dustin – are using a mixture of these.
The Milled Grind feature a precise milling process which adds more consistency from wedge to wedge.
The brand said wedges can often fail to main consistency during the manufacturing process so two wedges that say the same thing on the sole might not have the same exact specifications.
Basically, they believe it’s too difficult to do the grinds by hand and get them all the same.
And there are three specific grinds.
The low effective bounce (LB) grind provides the least amount of ground resistance.
A standard grind (SB) with mid-bounce, and a high bounce (HB) grind features a wider sole that offers the most ground resistance.
The Hi Toe wedge, available in 58˚, 60 and 64˚ features a higher, more centrally-located centre of gravity.
SRP: £139
[skylab_video id=”138994″]TaylorMade M4 and M3 Custom Fitted vs Off the Shelf Test[/skylab_video]
More information can be found on the TaylorMade website.
SRP: £140
A bit less intimidating that the T7, these have a mid-size, rounded profile,
In the higher lofts, weight shifted up the blade is visible in a thicker, bevelled topline – delivering more consistent spin rates on strikes from high in the clubface.
Sensational forged feel and a really stylish look – these are our favourite Mizuno wedges to date.
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More information can be found on the Mizuno website.
A new finish added for 2018 which will rust over time.
These feature Precision Milled Performance technology, which widens the milled grooves for maximum spin on full shots.
Eleven laser etched micro spin lines between each of those grooves increase spin on partial shots.
SRP: £99 each
More information can be found on the Wilson website.
And if you’re after a stylish wedge then check out the H2 303 stainless steel offering which also features patented Honeycomb face-milling between each groove to create more friction between club and ball for more spin in wet and dry conditions.
SRPs: £139 each
More information can be found on the Bettinardi website.
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