Best Wedges For Chipping 2024

Best Wedges For Chipping

We all know how important it is to have a short game you can rely on. Therefore, we it's good to understand just how much a set of the best golf wedges can improve your scores. If you can make a few extra up-and-downs a round, the impact on your entire game will be profound. One of the biggest aspects of short game is chipping and we believe the best wedges for chipping; models which have been designed to turn bogeys into pars, can truly help in bringing your handicap down.

So what makes a good wedge for chipping? Well, the best help to produce spin and therefore give us extra control. Ask any tour pro what the secret is behind creating spin around the greens and they'll tell you that it's all about the strike. So, in this guide, we'll be focusing on the tools that offer golfers the best chance of improving their consistency of strike. That will ultimately lead to more shots being saved over each and every round. 

All of the following wedges generate a lot of spin, but you may prefer certain models for the extra forgiveness they offer, which varies from brand to brand. And speaking of forgiveness, we have created a guide on the most forgiving wedges if you need a little bit more help. Also check out our posts on the best sand wedges and best lob wedges, which contain some great options if you're due an upgrade in either of these departments.

The Quick List

For an easy way to check the best wedges for chipping currently out on the market, we have pulled together this quick list to roundup the best choices. Click to view a more details review of each product, and we also have a price comparison tool to help you make the right purchase. 

Best Wedges For Chipping

Titleist Vokey SM9 Wedge

The first thing to note about the SM9 is that it has kept the classic Vokey look seen in the SM8 wedge. With six grinds and 23 different loft and bounce options to choose from, the SM9 is a very versatile club that can be tailored to suit your swing. For that reason, if you're looking to pick up an SM9 sand wedge, we highly recommend attending a club fitting session to ascertain which is the best grind and bounce for you.

Titleist say that the most popular grind for hitting out of bunkers or fluffier lies is their F-grind, with a higher bounce rate between 10º-14º. When testing this club, we found this wedge offered great control over the ball flight and shallowed out the strike considerably. It is a very forgiving club and gave us a lot of confidence when it came to controlling the distance and ball flight.

Spin is also not an issue with this club and we averaged over 10,000 RPM with the 54º SM9, compared to around 8,700 with the 52º SM6 on testing. From bunkers with a lot of sand, we found the 54º was less likely to dig into the terrain and that allowed us to swing through with a more fluid stroke. We also found the 58º with 8º of bounce was great from bare lies and bunkers with slightly less sand. While the updates from the SM8 are not drastic, the SM9 is comprehensively one of the best wedges on the market right now. As such, it features on our best golf wedges and our most forgiving golf wedges guides.

• Read our full Titleist Vokey SM9 Wedge Review

TaylorMade Hi-Toe 3 Wedge

This brilliantly balanced wedge offers excellent control around the greens for those who struggle with distance from the sand. The Hi-Toe 3 wedge from TaylorMade has a very low centre of gravity and a wide back that provides extra forgiveness and bounce on much shorter shots. This is the third generation of the Hi-Toe design and we found it performs brilliantly on the course. Aesthetically, this wedge looks incredible, with its aged copper finish giving a rustic, yet sophisticated look. 

Akin to many of the best wedges for chipping, this club excels when it comes to adding spin to the golf ball. We think that is partly due to the micro-ribs added to the face of the club that give extra traction between the grooves, giving the face of the club additional friction. And you can really feel this work when you strike low, spinny chips onto the greens. 

In the sand wedge editions of this club, you'll also find the Hi-Toe comes with full-face grooves, that give extra forgiveness on off-center strikes. The only drawback we can think of is that it won't suit players who tend to get a steep in their downswing, but that being said, it is a great wedge for golfers of all abilities. Plus you also get a lot of high-bounce forgiveness, meaning it is fantastic for digging shots out of deep lying bunkers and heavy rough. It is also a fantastic lob wedge for any player looking for greater stopping power around the greens. 

• Read our full TaylorMade Hi-Toe 3 Wedge Review

Cleveland CBX Full-Face 2 Wedge

Featuring a HydraZip blast finish, the Cleveland CBX Full-Face 2 has improved spin in the wet and the UltiZip grooves are sharp, deep and tightly spaced to give plenty of spin in any conditions, making it one of the best wedges for chipping.

What is really impressive is the grooves, which are the full width of the face and also go right up into the toe so that you can open the face and be able to get the maximum spin on the ball. Therefore you have ample control.

Not only is it one the most forgiving wedges on full shots but, within the higher lofts, 54° upwards, the CBX Full-Face 2 uses a C-Shaped Sole that has more relief in the heel and toe. What's more, the wider sole gives you more margin for error so you can play the CBX Full-Face 2 relatively straight and it will still pop the ball up. Bounce is your friend and the 12° bounce on the sole of every wedge justifies the performance.

• Read our full Cleveland CBX Full-Face 2 Wedge Review

Callaway Jaws Raw Wedge

The latest addition to the Callaway Jaws wedge line-up is the new Raw wedge, designed by Roger Cleveland and supposedly boasts the most aggressive grooves in golf. We put that to the test at the Royal Troon golf club and were not disappointed. The wedge comes in two finishes; a classic chrome finish and a sleek black plasma color. Those look stunning against the four weights that we have become a staple of the Jaws wedge over the years. 

They also boast a classic profile with a straight leading edge and minimal offset, which gave us confidence over the ball. Performance-wise, we were seriously impressed with the level of spin on offer from the micro-milled grooves on the face of the Raw. On shorter chips, the level of control was exceptional and we were amazed at how well the club performed over a variety of different shots, from bump and runs to floated flop shots. 

That is helped by the introduction of the new Z Grind that skids across the turf rather than digs into it. That was particularly helpful when playing on firm ground and when escaping from bunkers that had minimal sand. But there were a few drawbacks with this club, the sounds being one of them, which at impact is very firm. But the level of customization that is on offer here makes this one of the most versatile wedges on the market, with 17 loft and bounce combinations available per finish. It's clear that Callaway have put a lot of thought into designing this club, which is without a doubt one of the best wedges on the market.

• Read our full Callaway Jaws Raw Wedge Review

Mizuno S23 Wedge

The S23 wedge from Mizuno is one of the best for chipping because its engineers have introduced a central sweet spot. It has achieved this by shortening the hosel and adding a heel-orientated cavity which allows for greater mass to be moved towards the toe of the club. 

The centralised sweet spot has been incorporated to allow for longer impact time, less head deflection and higher spin from full and partial shots – while the first two are hard to visibly judge, the spin was outstanding. With the sweet spot being in the centre of the club it feels like you're delivering a more consistent strike because of how stable the head feels and only adds to the high overall spin rate.

• Read our full Mizuno S23 Wedge Review

Ram Tour Grind Wedge

This is a fantastic wedge that we think certainly punches above its weight when it comes to the control, forgiveness and performance on offer. The Ram Tour Grind is a great club for any high-handicap player, looking to improve around the greens. It boasts an eye-catching look that comes in a black and a silver finish, and while it took a while to grow on us, we did eventually come to like the stamped numbers and writing on this club. 

The highlight of this wedge is the excellent level of spin it delivers around the greens. We were able to generate a ton of control from the precision milled grooves when chipping. And having tested a host of the best wedges this year, the Ram Tour Grind easily holds its own among other heavyweights in the same division. One thing to note is that on full shots it doesn't offer the same level of forgiveness and workability as its competitors, but at a fraction of the price, the Ram Tour Grind is not to be overlooked. It does feel a little firm off the face but offers bags of confidence in the level of control it offers. That combined makes it one of the best wedges for beginners and high handicap golfers.

• Read our full Ram Tour Grind Wedge Review

Ping Glide 4.0 Wedge

Perhaps one of the best-looking wedges on the market, the Ping Glide 4.0 takes a more traditional teardrop shape that matches the brand's original iconic Eye2 profile. It also features the classic Ping Hydropearl 2.0 chrome finish, that reduces glare and adds a touch of style to the aesthetics. 

Ping describes this wedge as the ultimate bunker club and we thought that it was one of the best performing wedges out of the sand due to its forgiveness from tougher lies. Shots that we struck a little firmer and lower than expected still checked a lot faster than other wedges thanks to the club's new Emery face blast which adds more friction onto the clubface.   

With four sole options to choose from, we had the most success in the sand from the wide sole variation of the club. The interaction with the terrain and the 14º of bounce that the club gave made us feel more confident over the ball, particularly in softer conditions. The performance of this wedge was so good that it has been included in Golf Monthly's Editor's Choice Awards for 2022. 

• Read our full Ping Glide 4.0 Wedge review 

TaylorMade MG4 Wedge

Raw face technology means the MG4 wedges have an un-plated surface material that rusts over time to maintain consistently high spin generation in wet conditions. TaylorMade has also added Raised Micro-Ribs between the grooves to aid spin and precision around the greens. The new spin tread technology has also been implemented to push moisture away from impact to optimise spin. In our testing the spin on offer really was excellent.

The Milled Grind Sole process continues with each leading edge and sole grind being individually CNC milled for accuracy. There are now seven bounce options - low standard and high, LBV, SBC and HBW along with the TW grind.

From a looks perspective, we really liked these wedges in both chrome and black finishes. The profile is very traditional and the wedges are progressive through the lofts in lots of ways - hosel length, toe height, blade length, and offset.

• Read our full TaylorMade Milled Grind 4 Wedge Review

Cleveland CBX ZipCore Wedge

The Cleveland CBX ZipCore wedge is a cavity-backed wedge that is visually a very nice golf club that comes with a black Catalyst Spinner graphite shaft, something that is rarely seen in a wedge.

On testing, it was relatively easy to hit and to flight and that is due to its low-density ZipCore that sits at the heart of the wedge and raises its MOI for greater forgiveness. That makes it a great sand wedge for those golfers who might get a little nervy over their chips and are prone to hitting a shot slightly fat. Plus, with its cavity-backed club head, you'll find this a much more forgiving wedge that will reduce the number of times you'll hit those costly chunks around the greens.

While we found the club to weigh a lot less than the Cleveland RTX because of its graphite shaft, the balance and fluidity the CBX gives on longer shots is excellent. And thanks to its sharp UltiZip grooves, the clubface provided plenty of spin, but did feel slightly clicky, giving the impression that the club is quite firm. Overall, it is a very impressive piece of kit that ticks boxes in all key performance areas. For that reason, we've also chosen to include this in the Golf Monthly Editor's Choice Awards for 2022.

• Read our full Cleveland CBX ZipCore Wedge Review

Ping ChipR Wedge

The Ping ChipR Wedge is a great option for any player struggling with the chipping yips. We all know how infuriating duffing a textbook wedge shot can be when you've just hit the perfect drive up the middle of the fairway. Chipping isn't easy, but the Ping ChipR Wedge can really take some of the headaches away of chipping from 40-yards out. Ping has coined this club, a fully engineered chipping solution and combines elements of both your putter and your wedges to make a chipping solution. 

Interestingly though, it has the loft of a 9-iron but sits more vertically. That helps to play little bump and runs around the green and give you the feeling you can accurately place the ball next to the hole. It weighs the same as a lob wedge and can still give you the same level of grab as a lob wedge, with its MicroMax grooves being situated closer to each other than normal. That allows you to put more stopping power on the ball and control it from tighter lies. Chipping from the fringes with this club couldn't be easier and you'll find this club gives you a lot of consistency when playing onto the greens. 

• Read our full Ping ChipR Wedge Review

Callaway Jaws Mack Daddy 5 Wedge

Callaway has been making some of the best wedges in the game for a while now. These MD5 wedges continue that trend and feature new Jaws grooves, designed with a 37º wall angle to make them sharper for maximum grip and spin from all types of lie. In addition, three raised micro-ridges between the grooves increase the number of contact points with the ball to 84, which creates additional spin off the clubface.

We were most impressed with the spin this wedge created on longer pitch shots and full shots. After switching between Callaway's different offerings of this club they all felt very smooth through impact, which is largely due to the clubhead's mild carbon steel and its muscle back design. If you're not comfortable with your current sand wedge, we recommend trying the high-bounce W-Grind which provides the most forgiveness.

• Read our full Callaway Jaws MD5 Wedge Review

Mizuno T24 Wedge

The T24 wedges from Mizuno have that timeless look to them comparable to the Titleist Vokey SM9, widely regarded as the industry leader in the wedge category. We tested the Mizuno T24 wedge in the Soft White Satin finish, which was our personal favourite, although these wedges are also available in a striking Denim Copper and Tour Raw finish, just like on the T22 range.

A classic looking wedge that is designed to be extremely versatile and please golfers of all abilities. The compact head will certainly suit the eye of the better player, although several high bounce options and a high-spin face mean every golfer is catered for

• Read our full Mizuno T24 Wedge Review

Ping Glide Forged Pro Wedge

The tour-inspired, high-spinning design is offered in two grind profiles and multiple loft options to fit players who rely on precision and control to shoot lower scores. The smaller heel-to-toe head, which is forged from 8620 carbon steel, creates a captured look at the address, giving players the confidence to manipulate the head to help execute any shot they are facing.

In combination with the precision-milled face and grooves, the new Emery face blast adds more texture to the hitting surface, creating higher friction and more interaction between the club and ball for more spin and a lower launch. The 50° and 52° lofts feature wheel-cut grooves with a 20° sidewall to optimise performance on full shots commonly associated with gap wedges.

Meanwhile, the 54° to 62° options are milled with a 28° sidewall and tighter radius to provide more spin and precision on the finesse shots around the green and from the sand. Two grind options in multiple lofts expand the offering to ensure a wedge choice is available for a wide range of golfers to match specific playing conditions and angle of attack.

• Read our full Ping Glide Forged Pro Wedge Review  

PXG Sugar Daddy II

The visuals of this wedge are striking thanks to a weight that's been added at the back of the head as well as the introduction of full-face grooves and a high-toe design. Believe it or not, all that was done after PXG received feedback from its tour staff. 

One of the first things we noticed was the balance on offer. It's incredible and makes hitting chip shots feel that much easier. In addition, there is a new bounce and grind option for 2022, meaning golfers have another option when it comes to getting a wedge that's right for their technique. For example, for us, that meant switching into the higher 13-degree bounce model.

Although the high-toe design wasn't to our liking aesthetically, it worked to make this one of the most forgiving wedges we've ever tested. When chipping, controlling the flight was simpler than usual, while the spin was comparable to anything on the market. It also comes in two finishes: Chrome and Xtreme dark, which is a really nice addition.

• Read our full PXG Sugar Daddy II Review

Cobra King Snakebite Wedge

Regardless of what loft you like to chip with around the green most, there is a Cobra Snakebite wedge for that. Whilst it looks similar in profile to the brand's MIM wedges, the new Snakebite face makes this a great wedge for chipping.

On the 48-54° lofts, where you’d be using the club with a square or de-lofted face to approach the green, the grooves are a conventional length across the face but are narrower and deeper to optimise spin. On the 56°, 58° and 60° wedges, the grooves are full face and are wider and shallower than the lower lofts to create more spin on the wedges you’d be using with an open blade around the green.

There are three grind options and lofts from 48° down to 60° and – especially with the different groove patterns down the set – the Snakebite wedges are ideal to get custom fit for a full set that can all do a very specific job in the bag.

• Read our full Cobra King Snakebite wedge review 

How we test

When it comes to the best wedges for chipping, we take the testing process very seriously. Whether we are sent a product or buy it ourselves, we put everything through its paces to ensure we can provide thorough and reliable advice. Every member of the Golf Monthly team is an avid golfer and as such, knows what does and doesn't make for a good wedge.

As far as our testing methodology goes, we review all wedges properly, which means we have used each one across multiple rounds and in practice to assess every aspect of performance in all conditions. For example, if a wedge claims to be the ultimate chipping club, we will test that theory from any and all lies possible. Specific to the best wedges for chipping, we have tested every club thoroughly to assess the level of spin, feel and turf interaction. We were also keen to find out how forgiving each model was and if there were any differences in flight or ball spin off the face of each club.

This comprehensive testing style is not just exclusive to wedges as we test with the same level of thoroughness across all gear categories. For more information on how Golf Monthly tests products, take a look at our methodology here. Wedge testing is headed up by Golf Monthly Staff Writer Andrew Wright who is currently using a set of Titleist Vokey SM9 wedges.

What you need to consider when buying new wedges

1. Gapping

Measure your current wedge yardages and how often you are in between clubs to help decide if you need to carry an extra option especially for chipping. Golfers will typically have around three wedges in their bag which will include a lob wedge, sand wedge and a pitching wedge. Having good distances between each will ensure you're well covered out on the course for all types of approach and chip shots.

2. Bounce

Low-bounce wedges are more suited to hard fairways and tight lies, while high-bounce wedges are better for softer ground conditions and bunkers. The most bounce you will ever see on a wedge is about 18°, but it can be as low as 2°. The type of bounce you opt for should largely depend on things like your angle of attack, the firmness of the fairways you're playing on and the type of shots you like to hit around the greens.

3. Forgiveness 

Every golfer knows the pain of hitting an immaculate drive down the fairway, only to chunk your approach shot into the green. Wedges are perhaps one of the hardest clubs to use when it comes to consistently hitting sweet shots on different lies. But your wedges can be one of the best scoring clubs in your bag, if you can find one that you can consistently hit well on a variety of different lies. 

Particularly if you are a beginner or a high-handicapper, a more forgiving sand wedge can help you become much more clinical around the greens. When looking for more forgiving wedges, look out for clubs that have cavity-backed heads, wedges that have a center of gravity closer to the sole and wedges that have a higher MOI to improve the quality and consistency of shots your hitting. For more information on clubs that can help you hit consistently sweeter golf shots, visit our guide to the most forgiving wedges.

4. Grooves

While grooves are now tightly regulated, it is still well worth keeping up to date with the latest designs, which use new milling processes and groove shapes to help move water and dirt away from the ball at impact to create extra spin and improve control. The tackiness of the club face can really play a difference when you're looking to drop the ball as close as you can to the hole, so for that reason, try to find a club that has a milled, or even micro-milled clubface that will latch on to the ball on impact and add more revolutions onto your golf shot. 

5. Testing

At Golf Monthly, we recommend players take the time to test a variety of different wedges at a club fitting. As they can come in a variety of lofts, grinds and bounce degrees, it is important to ascertain which type of wedges can help you perform the best depending on your swing and the type of terrain you're playing on. 

While this guide sets out some of the best golf wedges for chipping, you may also want to think about getting a couple of wedges that will assist you over longer approach shots too. For that reason, be sure to take a look at our guides on the best golf lob wedges and best golf pitching wedges, which both set out some of the best golf clubs for those longer approach shots into the hole.

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