Most Forgiving Wedges in 2021
Traditional most golf wedges are bladed, but why? The average golfer will play a cavity back iron and not a blade and therefore it has always dwelled on me that golfers will then choose to play a bladed wedge at the business end of the bag.
Ping wedges have had a cult with tour pros and amateurs for the last 30 years. The Glide 3.0 is a cavity back design with extra mass positioned high in the toe, it is said that they offer up to 5% more forgiveness. The rounded head profile and tapered hosel improve the feel/sound to similar levels of the very popular i210 iron.
It comes available in three different sole options; wide, standard and thin. Select the sole type and bounce of your wedges that is completely unique to you and the course you play. The extra hosel offset means the Glide 3.0 launches lower and spins more.
If you’re the type of golfer who doesn’t want to fully commit to a cavity-backed wedge, then the Ping Glide 3.0 is the wedge for you. They are a great midway point for the player wanting that extra forgiveness from a classic bladed wedge.
When it comes to wedge evolution there aren’t many design changes to be made. Manufacturers will not add weight sliders or draw bias weighting to a wedge, but Cleveland has an obsession over every aspect of the wedge.
Cleveland is highly regarded in the golf wedge sector and instead of building wedges primed for the top professionals they have instead produced a new game improvement wedge in the CBX 2. These wedges have been created to make short-game easier and more forgiving. Name me one golfer you know who doesn’t want that?
The CBX 2 offers plenty of spin control and feedback without feeling like a cavity back iron. Also, to avoid complications Cleveland has reduced the number of sole grinds and bounce options, simplifying the whole process to ensure golfers receive the most accurate wedge for them.
TaylorMade Milled Grind Hi-Toe
Now if you are looking for more versatility and control in a wedge look no further than the TaylorMade Milled Grind Hi-Toe Wedge. The Hi-Toe features a full face of grooves and in combination with the Hi-Toe shape leaves you with a larger surface area to strike the ball which leads to a more consistent strike.
As well as having a larger hitting area, the face is also available in raw. This means that over time, the face will rust and create more friction between the ball and face, increasing spin levels by tenfold.
The design is inspired by tour performance but one that can be used by amateur golfers worldwide. It promotes a high-flying ball flight which is great for chipping over a bunker or a long approach over a water hazard.
Callaway already has a wide range of game improvement/forgiving clubs and has been the market leader for years. The new Mack Daddy CB wedge seeks to extend that tradition and features some of the best aspects of the other products compiled into one product. The CB is said to be of similar performance to the Mack Daddy 5 wedges which are mostly seen on tour, but in a more forgiving shape.
Callaway has added a deep cavity back and a thicker topline to inspire confidence at address. This also offers a considerably better transition from your irons into the wedges as the blend of shape is considerably similar to the irons. Like the Hi-Toe wedge, Callaway now also offer a full-face option which I would recommend for any golfers struggling with their wedge play as it helps with the consistency of strike.
Players in the modern day are more concerned about the appearance of the golf club than the way it performs. That being said, the new Mizuno ES21 wedges not only look fantastic but the performance is just as good. Aesthetically they look like a bladed wedge, but it has a very thick profile which produces the forgiveness without the compromise of looks. What makes the ES21 special is that it is the first centred centre of gravity wedge with a hollow body design which gives a forged feel even though it is crafted from 431 stainless steel.
There are some great options for all levels of golfers. Don’t be pressured into playing clubs that just “look good”, the extra help of a cavity back wedge is only going to improve your game, not make it worse.
