Over the past decades, the golf wedge has come a long way in terms of design. Traditionally, a golf set included a pitching wedge and a sand wedge. However, both the game of golf and the design of golf clubs have evolved tremendously over the years.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at one of the newest wedges on the market, the lob wedge, and delve deeper into its technical details. Selecting the right fit for you will ultimately depend on your taste and playing style.
Below are our picks for the best lob wedges.
At a Glance: Best Lob Wedges 2021
Callaway Jaws Mack Daddy 5 Wedge
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Pros:
- has a soft feel with a high level of spin
- offers a wide variety of sole grind options
- different options for loft make it easier to match your preferred action and shot choice
Cons:
- you may prefer a longer and straighter leading edge to make alignment easier
Cleveland RTX ZipCore Wedge
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Pros:
- offers a lot of grind and loft options to capitalize on different shots around the green
- a high-spinning wedge that’s soft to the touch
- is surprisingly forgiving on full shots
Cons:
- has fewer sole grinds than its predecessor, the RTX 4
- other players might want to see a straighter leading edge
Titleist Vokey SM8 Wedge
Overall Rating: 5/5
Pros:
- produces more consistent distance and direction without sacrificing solid feel
- comes with the versatility and effective spin control expected from Vokey wedges
Cons:
- the premium performance it offers comes at a premium price
- the $600 price tag for three wedges makes for a huge investment
Wilson Staff Model Wedge
Overall Rating: 4/5
Pros:
- has a magnificent soft feel upon impact
- sports a classic look
- comes at an attractive price point
Cons:
- has limited bounce options
- produces lesser spin than rival lob wedges in the market
TaylorMade Milled Grind Hi-Toe Raw Wedge
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Pros:
- offers added control on open-faced shots around the green
- provides ample versatility and a great feel
Cons:
- the club’s finish wears off quickly after use
- has a rusty look that builds over time
- produces relative high bounce that doesn’t suit everyone’s technique
Review Summary
Callaway Jaws Mack Daddy 5 Wedge
The Jaws MD5 line of lob wedges has a perfectly shaped clubhead made of 8620 mild carbon steel. This sleek design is available in three different finishes: platinum chrome, tour grey, and raw.
Jaws MD5 lob wedges are also available in five different grind options. Each has a unique bounce and interacts with the ground differently, making finding a wedge that works for your swing easier than ever.
These lob wedges come with showstopper grooves specifically designed to maximize spin, provide excellent control, and promote a piercing trajectory.
If you’re looking for a high-quality, high-performing lob wedge that’s visually spectacular, look no further than Callaway’s Jaws MD5 series of lob wedges.
Cleveland RTX ZipCore Wedge
Redesigning a classic is a bold move that always involves some form of risk. While it isn’t always recommended, it’s what Cleveland did with the RTX Zipcore exactly, and it yielded excellent results.
This wedge truly delivers on all fronts, making it easily one of the best lob wedges on the market, with sharper grooves, a higher MOI for added control, and a face that’s been heat-treated for added durability.
In particular, you’ll be impressed by how easy it is to handle this club and how much spin it’ll produce on all shots. While the durability claim should be subjected to more tests, customer feedback has been exceedingly positive.
You’ll also be pleased to know that your favorite wedge comes in low, medium, and high bounce options, allowing you and fellow golfers to select the best option for your game style.
Titleist Vokey SM8 Wedge
A list of the best lob wedges would be incomplete without a Titleist Vokey. The SM8 is one of the latest in a long line of classics that’s as reliable as they come. Although it appears similar to the SM7 at address, there’s no doubt the aesthetics have improved from the back.
The primary technical story involves the center of gravity, which has been shifted forward thanks to a longer hosel and a high-density tungsten toe weight. You’ll find this feature beneficial when it comes to producing consistent ball flight, which is a critical component of wedge performance.
Grooves cut to the legal limit deliver plenty of spin, and with a variety of grind and bounce options, picking the perfect lob wedge for your game has never been easier.
Wilson Staff Model Wedge
The Wilson Staff Model Wedge is one of Wilson’s latest wedge releases. This sleek wedge can truly go toe-to-toe with the finest the industry has to offer.
The Staff Model is a tour-proven, tour-inspired wedge that was created in collaboration with Wilson’s sponsored professional players, including 2019 US Open Champion Gary Woodland. It’s made with a soft forged clubhead constructed out of high-quality 8620 carbon steel.
This soft steel provides an excellent touch and feel around the greens. Further, the machine-engraved clubface of this lob wedge also comes with precision milled high-density grooves that ensure optimal spin and control on both greenside and full shots.
Although the Staff Model lacks variety in terms of finish and grind, this high-quality wedge will be an excellent addition to your bag nevertheless.
TaylorMade Milled Grind Hi-Toe Raw Wedge
This lob wedge is one of TaylorMade’s most innovative offerings in recent memory. The raw face will rust as time passes for improved spin and feel, while the rest keeps the satin chrome or matte black. Meanwhile, the ZTP Raw grooves on the face are deeper, sharper, and narrower to maximize greenside spin.
These wedges provide a soft feel and great spin, while the rusty look that becomes evident on the face over time reduces sun glare. Once you experience the two sole grind options, you’ll see that they’re versatile enough for the majority of players.
Overall, the Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedge appears to be intended for elite players. From its appearance down to the milling on the sole. One can get the sense that TaylorMade appears to have looked at the irons that its stars use. Hence the attempt to create a wedge that matches them well. This makes sense given that TaylorMade claims to have built these wedges with input from Tiger Woods himself.
If anything, it indicates you’re getting a high-quality product that looks and feels good. At the same time, it also narrows the number of golfers who should be using it.
If you’re a good golfer who’s proficient with their wedges and wants to get outstanding spin rates with a wedge that blends well into a blade or muscleback iron set, this lob wedge could be for you. As always, make sure you’re fitted according to your specifications, and you should see the difference this lob wedge makes.
What to Look For When Considering the Best Lob Wedges
Grind
Grind pertains to the sole and width of the club. Wedge designers experiment with various grind possibilities, and new grinds are introduced to the market yearly. Since there’s no standard classification for grinds, the available options can get confusing.
Therefore, it helps to understand the different grind options when purchasing a lob wedge. Expect each grind to interact with the turf differently, so playing with a grind option that matches your swing type is a must.
Finish
Lob wedges are available in different finishes that are more than just about appearances. Each of these finishes promotes a unique feel, and while most brands offer chrome and raw finish options, other types of finishes are also available.
Chrome Finish
Chrome finishes are exceptionally durable, but they do not provide the same level of forgiveness as a softer raw finish. Sun glare can also be an issue when playing with one, although it isn’t a factor you should be too concerned about.
Raw Finish
Raw finish wedges are often classified as unpolished wedges. They’re well-known for the high spin and exceptional feel they provide.
Raw wedges offer several advantages, and the only setback is that they tend to wear out way faster than chrome finish wedges.
Bounce
Legendary wedge designer Bob Vokey defines bounce as “the angle between the leading edge and the lowest point on the sole.” Simply put, bounce is the interaction of the clubhead with the ground at impact.
Low Bounce
Low bounce wedges typically have a bounce angle of 4 to 6 degrees. They are perfect for golfers who have shallow swings that sweep the golf ball off the grass rather than hitting massive divots. When playing in tough conditions, low-bounce lob wedges are also very effective.
Mid Bounce
Mid-bounce wedges feature a bounce angle of 7 to 10 degrees. Mid-bounce wedges are suited for everyday golfers who play on courses with varying turf stiffness.
High Bounce
High bounce wedges typically have bounce angles from 11 to 14 degrees. High bounce wedges are most suitable for golfers with steep angles of attack and are ideal when playing on a soft golf course.
Key Takeaways
Lob wedges are available in a range of loft, shape, grind, and finish options. With so many choices available, it is essential to pick a lob wedge that complements both your golf swing and your specific needs.
Indeed, wedges are a very personal choice for golfers. However, the spin and feel of the Callaway MD5 Jaws wedges, combined with the available bounce and loft combinations, should make them an excellent fit for most golfers.
Wedges with a little more forgiveness are more suitable for beginners and players who don’t get to practice their short game shots.
See also: Beginner’s Guide to the Best Wedges for High Handicappers
