Best forgiving wedge?

[Jbw6896]

Hi All — Looking to get a wedge (54 degree), but want something that is pretty forgiving yet also has some playability to it. I’m decent with my wedges but I want something that truly gives me confidence but still has a “slim” profile. Any recommendations?

[elwhippy]

Cleveland CBX. Ping Glide models. TM set sand irons are well shaped and forgiving. 

[Trouble_shooter]

Ive got 54 and 60 degree edel wedges being built with D grind. I'll letcha know and post pictures when they come in. 

[Ben B]

Mizuno S-23 wedges just might fit the bill. 

[LinkLow]

Just my opinion, but the right bounce will help more than anything else. Vokey K Grind is something you might check out

[vtpachyderm]

Can recommend Clevelands CBX Zipcore - I think they're better with spin control than the previous CBX/CBX2 generation and don't look as chunky.

 

That being said - I've got a Callaway Jaws Full Toe at 56 and that seems very versatile and forgiving for me.

[goalie]

47 minutes ago, vtpachyderm said:

 

That being said - I've got a Callaway Jaws Full Toe at 56 and that seems very versatile and forgiving for me.

I'm not good, but my Jaws Raw wedges make me look good outta the sand and rough.  

[hammergolf]

9 hours ago, Jbw6896 said:

Hi All — Looking to get a wedge (54 degree), but want something that is pretty forgiving yet also has some playability to it. I’m decent with my wedges but I want something that truly gives me confidence but still has a “slim” profile. Any recommendations?

When you say forgiveness, do you mean carry distance on off center hit? Or are you referring to the sole of a club to help with strike?

[me05501]

I think almost every player can benefit from taking at least one lesson from a good pro on how to properly use a wedge. It can be really eye opening. Also a good pro will quickly be able to adjust the content of a wedge lesson to fit your current challenges and abilities. 

 

After all, even the most forgiving wedge still has a hosel and a leading edge. You can chunk, blade or shank any of them if you're presenting the club to the ball in the wrong way.  

[ANimz]

CBX's are great.  Wanted to try the S-23's as I believe they are great as well, but went back to Vokey.  

[Kai Slater]

I have the older version of the Cleveland CBX and it's been great.  Zero complaints and just an all-around great club.

[SVTM5]

Callaway mack daddy cb. 

[st1800e]

The high loft on wedges makes forgiveness a non factor.  Heel and toe weighting, cavity back won’t affect much, if at all.     Why some players use a combo set, more forgiving head in longer irons and progress to more of a blade style in the shorter irons.

A much lower centre of gravity would be forgiving in a sense.  Think of those Alien wedges from years gone by.  
 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 24 by st1800e

[hammergolf]

49 minutes ago, st1800e said:

The high loft on wedges makes forgiveness a non factor.  Heel and toe weighting, cavity back won’t affect much, if at all.     Why some players use a combo set, more forgiving head in longer irons and progress to more of a blade style in the shorter irons.

A much lower centre of gravity would be forgiving in a sense.  Think of those Alien wedges from years gone by.  
 

 

 

 

 

Actually there is a considerable difference in forgiveness of wedges based on design and CG placement. Most blade wedges tend to have a cg more heel side, whereas most cavity back wedges have a more central or toe side Cg. 2-3yd carry distance dispersion vs 5-8yd carry dispersion in big with a wedge. Not to mention cavity back wedges tend to have a much smaller deviation on launch, spin, and carry. Here are a couple independent tests done by different guys comparing blade and cavity wedges. Notice the carry and spin deviation in the first screenshot, and the carry distance drop off and shot area on the second screenshot. 

Edited March 24 by hammergolf

[OGrads13]

Another recommendation for the Edel SMS wedges. As long as you get fit for the right grind, the moveable weights is definitely a difference maker and an awesome club. I just got my second set as my grooves on my old set were worn. 

[MMB1500]

Lots of good options these days. Standouts are the Cleveland CBX and Mizuno S23.

 

The Mizunos look and feel excellent and are way less clunky, while also offering additional forgiveness due to the cavity. 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 24 by MMB1500

[KennyP]

Ping glides. Any generation. Very forgiving both in terms of off centre strikes and bounce.

[this_is_golf]

S23

[hammergolf]

I’m a huge fan of the CBX Zip wedges. Love how consistent they are and how forgiving they are toe side. The 50*, and 56* are very versatile of different lies, rough, and bunkers. However, the only issue I have is with the 60* having too much bounce in the heel/trailing edge when playing open faced shots on tighter lies or firmer turf. The more I read and see the performance of the S23 wedges has me thinking of trying the 60* since they have different grind options and the prices just dropped.

Edited March 24 by hammergolf

[Zach.buckler23]

Cleveland wedges for sure! 

[Binson]

I really like the dark Cleveland CBX Full Face. Unfortunately it only came in 56, 60, 64 I believe. 

[9ClubberLang]

I returned to the game last year after a five year break and my wedge play around the greens was atrocious. Ping Glides rescued me and gave me my confidence back. I also have a Mizuno S23 which I love. I haven't tried them but I believe Cleveland CBX are also said to be very easy to use. I wouldn't look past these three for a wedge in this category.

[Chrischo555]

Like many people have said here, Ping Glide wedges are incredibly forgiving but still let you pull of some serious "players" shots around the greens.

[North Butte]

If you want a small, slim wedge then the only kind of "forgiveness" you're going to find is having plenty of bounce. Anything beyond that is going to mean a large body on the wedge and a bulkier sole. 

 

 

[JAM01]

I’m going off the board here. Just added some New Level SPN wedges, don’t look overly large forgiving, but I’m impressed. And they spin nicely for me. I’ve generally struggled with bladey wedges, except got on with Vokey SM9. These are fine wedges. And cost seems right below the top OEMs

[TomVexille]

Have you looked at Edison?

[indianagolf2]

1 hour ago, TomVexille said:

Have you looked at Edison?

They are $$

[flushem]

Cleveland smart sole.  Almosy illegally forgiving

[BurnleyShank]

On 3/23/2024 at 4:45 AM, me05501 said:

I think almost every player can benefit from taking at least one lesson from a good pro on how to properly use a wedge.

 

This! With such high loft not sure how much benefit a cavity back wedge might be versus one or two lessons on hitting partial/flighted/full wedges

[Red4282]

On 3/23/2024 at 7:47 PM, hammergolf said:

Actually there is a considerable difference in forgiveness of wedges based on design and CG placement. Most blade wedges tend to have a cg more heel side, whereas most cavity back wedges have a more central or toe side Cg. 2-3yd carry distance dispersion vs 5-8yd carry dispersion in big with a wedge. Not to mention cavity back wedges tend to have a much smaller deviation on launch, spin, and carry. Here are a couple independent tests done by different guys comparing blade and cavity wedges. Notice the carry and spin deviation in the first screenshot, and the carry distance drop off and shot area on the second screenshot. 

Respectfully, disagree on the forgiveness differences being of any significant value with wedges when it comes to off center (cog) strikes. The lack of twisting or gear effect that a cavity back generally gives diminishes rapidly above 40* of delivered loft. Cant comment for sure on that test by the youtuber but there is likely some explanation for it, just from the screenshots there are some factors to consider, (1), less loft static and delivered in the bladed wedge, (2) a bigger face to path variance in the bladed wedge, which will effect all the numbers you mentioned. 
 

I just know like 99.9% of the best players in the world play bladed wedges, and they have alot of money on the line. Yea they rarely mishit a wedge, but even if its 1 time out of a 100 and the differences are as large as you suggest, you would see alot more in pros bags. 
 

There certainly is a valid argument for cg placement and bounce in terms of maximizing a players performance, but the idea a cavity back design is a huge performance gain in anything higher than a pitching wedge is a myth, IMO.