Best Wide Sole Wedges

Best Wide Sole Wedges – 2021 Buyer’s Guide

Wide Sole Wedges have added an entirely new dimension to the forgiveness that a wedge can offer.

Before wide sole wedges, manufacturers relied almost exclusively on bounce angle to prevent a wedge from digging into the turf. However, forward-thinking clubmakers quickly identified that a wider sole further promotes the skimming quality of a wedge. Instead of digging into the turf like a knife, a wide sole wedge tends to skim and glide off the grass, which ultimately translates to far fewer fat shots.

You can basically get away with hitting 1-3 inches behind the ball, and still execute a reasonably good shot. This is not to say that you should aim to hit that far behind the ball. It simply means that if you do hit behind the ball with a wide sole wedge, the consequences of doing so tend to be far less severe than a traditional thin sole wedge.

Wide Sole Wedges For Low Handicappers

KING Cobra WideLow Snakebite Wedge 2021

The King Cobra WideLow Snakebit Wedge provides a wide, low bounce sole that works magic out of soft bunkers and medium rough, preventing the leading edge from digging. 

Wedge Option 1
Loft 56º - Bounce 7º
Wedge Option 2
Loft 58º - Bounce 6º
Wedge Option 3
Loft 60º - Bounce 4º
Grooves
Full Face
Swing Type
Neutral/Digger
Turf Conditions
Soft/Medium

Callaway Jaws MD5 Low Bounce W Grind

Shaped by Roger Cleveland, Callawy Jaws MD5 exudes quality and superiority from every angle, while also delivering a soft and satisfying feel no other wedge can match. Two high-end finish options: Platinum Chrome and Tour Grey.

The Low Bounce W-Grind version gives you the anti-digging qualities of a wide sole, without the leading-edge issues that can crop up when the bounce angle of a wedge is too high.  

Wedge Option 1
Loft 58º - Bounce 8º
Wedge Option 2
Loft 60º - Bounce 8º
Swing Type
Sweeper
Divot Type
Moderate
Turf Conditions
Soft Medium

Titleist Vokey SM8 K Grind Wedge

The Titleist K Grind is the highest bounce wedge in the Vokey lineup and is the ultimate bunker club. The K Grind is a wide, full sole wedge with enhanced camber to make it forgiving from a variety of sand and turf conditions. The Vokey SM8 K Grind wedge is played by Justin Thomas, Adam Scott and Webb Simpson.

Wedge Option 1
Loft 58º - Bounce 14º
Wedge Option 2
Loft 60º - Bounce 14º
Swing Type
Steep/Digger
Turf Conditions
Soft

Taylormade Milled Grind Hi-Toe Wedge - ATV Grind

Featuring full-face scoring lines in the 56° to 64° options, the Taylormade High-Toe ATV Grind Wedge offers an expanded toe area to deliver high-spin performance whether you’re taking full swings on your approach or playing finesse shots around the green. 

The Channel-cut ATV mid-sole is built with a bounce angle of 12°. The “V” shaped leading edge moves through the turf and sand more seamlessly for better contact.

Wedge Option 1
Loft 58º - Bounce 12º
Wedge Option 2
Loft 60º - Bounce 12º
Wedge Option 2
Loft 64º - Bounce 12º
Turf Conditions
Soft/Medium

Callaway PM Grind 19 Wedge

Co-created by Phil Mickleson and Roger Cleveland, the Callawy PM Grind 19 Wedge is built with increased Offset & a Higher Toe for Crisp, Flag-finding Knockdown Shots. The C-Grid sole configuration is designed for crisp contact from a broad range of lies. The higher toe also raises the center of gravity, which helps align with the impact point and better control the trajectory of the shot. 

Wedge Option 1
Loft 54º - Bounce 14º
Wedge Option 2
Loft 56º - Bounce 14º
Wedge Option 3
Loft 58º - Bounce 12º
Wedge Option 4
Loft 60º - Bounce 12º
Turf Conditions
Soft/Medium

Wide Sole Wedges For Mid Handicappers

Ping Glide 3.0 Wide Sole Wedge

PING engineers took a grip-to-grind approach, redesigning every component of the new Glide 3.0 wedges. The end result is a higher-spinning, more forgiving, softer-feeling, lighter overall design. The Ping Glide 3.0 Wide Sole Wedges blends a players-style look at address with impressive game-improvement performance technology. 

Wedge Option 1
Loft 56º - Bounce 14º
Wedge Option 2
Loft 58º - Bounce 14º
Wedge Option 3
Loft 60º - Bounce 14º
Angle of Attack
Steep
Turf Conditions
Soft Turf + Sand

Callaway Jaws MD5 W Grind (Mid Bounce)

The Callaway MD5 W Grind employs a aew Jaws groove design with an extremely sharp edge radius to generate more spin and precise control. Signature Groove-in-Groove Technology features micro-positive surface texture with radius grooves raised off the face for more grip and maximum spin. Soft carbon steel construction, precise CG locations, and crisp turf interaction delivers a satisfying feel

Wedge Option 1
Loft 50º - Bounce 12º
Wedge Option 2
Loft 52º - Bounce 12º
Wedge Option 3
Loft 54º - Bounce 12º
Wedge Option 4
Loft 56º - Bounce 12º
Wedge Option 5
Loft 58º - Bounce 12º
Wedge Option 6
Loft 60º - Bounce 12º
Turf Conditions
Soft
Angle of Attack
Steep

Cleveland CBX2 C-Shaped Wide Sole Wedge

Built for the majority of golfers who play game improvement equipment, the Cleveland CBX 2 Wedge provides tour-level spin and control for players looking to upgrade their short game. Get spin, control, and all the forgiveness you need with the new Cleveland CBX 2.

The C-Grind is designed for versatility. It responds to lob shots with an open face, and a variety of other shots around the greens. 

Wedge Option 1
Loft 58º - Bounce 10º
Wedge Option 2
Loft 60º - Bounce 10º
Turf Conditions
Soft + Medium
Angle of Attack
Moderate

TaylorMade Milled Grind 4-Way Sole Hi-Toe Wedge

 The 4-way cambered sole has more trailing edge and heel relief for players with average to steep swing in mid-bounce design. The expanded toe area along with full-face scoring lines deliver spin all across the club face. ZTP-17 grooves feature steeper sidewalls, machined for maximum spin.

Wedge Option 1
Loft 56º - Bounce 10º
Wedge Option 2
Loft 58º - Bounce 10º
Wedge Option 3
Loft 60º - Bounce 10º
Angle of Attack
Moderate/Steep
Turf Conditions
Soft + Medium

Game Improvement Wide Sole Wedges For High Handicappers

Cleveland Smart Sole 4 Wedge

The Cleveland Smart Sole 4 makes the short game easier. Featuring an extra-wide sole and improved Feel Balancing Technology, the Smart Sole 4 delivers maximum forgiveness and easier bunker play for those needing more short game assistance.

Wedge Option 1
Loft 42º
Wedge Option 2
Loft 50º
Wedge Option 3
Loft 58º
Turf Conditions
Soft + Medium
Angle of Attack
Moderate/Steep

TaylorMade Milled Grind Big Foot Hi-Toe Wedge

The Taylormade Big Foot asymmetric C-Grind sole is flatter and wider at 32mm. Combined with an anti-dig leading edge, this enhances playability and ease of use from the sand and rough. The 15° high bounce has a trailing edge and heel relief, keeping the leading edge low and allowing for versatility on the greens or from the sand.

Wedge Option 1
Loft 58º - Bounce 15º
Wedge Option 2
Loft 60º - Bounce 15º
Turf Conditions
Soft + Sand
Angle of Attack
Moderate/Steep

C3i Game Improvement Wedge

The C3i lob wedge is extra-wide. Its auto-glide sole cuts through the sand without skipping or digging; This sand wedge is a high loft golf club for men and women that gets the ball up easily to clear the lip and stop it quickly on the green. 

The design of the C3i sand wedge lets you set up and aim directly at your target; No opening your stance or the blade to hit high and soft; Just set up square and swing to get the golf club close to the pin from a variety of lies; Ease of swing promotes greater confidence when standing over the ball; Enjoy more tap-in putts for birdie and par.

Wedge Option 1
Loft 55º
Wedge Option 2
Loft 59º
Wedge Option 3
Loft 65º
Sole Type
AutoGlide Wide Sole

Square Strike Wedge

NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO HIT FAT: The Square Strike Wedge pitching wedge has an extra-wide sole and beveled leading edge prevent digging; No more chunked pitch and chip shots reduces wasted strokes; Heavy, solid feel promotes greater confidence vs thin-faced wedges that dig and rotate; Less rotation with the Square Strike Wedge golf wedge for men and women makes clean contact easier and much more consistent.

Wedge Option 1
Loft 45º
Wedge Option 2
Loft 55º
Wedge Option 3
Loft 60º
Angle of Attack
Upright (Like A Putter)

Callaway Sure Out 2 Wedge

The Callaway Sure Out 2 makes it incredibly easy to hit good shots out of the bunker. The Sure Out 2 provides an enhanced sole design, increased heel relief, and a confidence-inspiring shape to help you get out of the sand, and play with more confidence on any short game shot.

Wedge Option 1
Loft 56º
Wedge Option 2
Loft 58º
Wedge Option 3
Loft 60º
Wedge Option 4
Loft 64º

Advantages of Wide Sole Wedges

In order to understand the benefits of a wide sole wedge, it is helpful to consider the polar opposite – pencil thin wedges with minimal bounce. The pencil thin wedge will dig into the ground like a Victorinox knife if you don’t make crisp contact with the ball before the grass. The wide sole wedge should glide off the surface of the grass, even if you hit 1-2 inches behind the ball. This

Key Metaphor - Like Skimming A Stone Off Water

Let’s imagine that you’re standing at the edge of a perfectly still lake and you’re looking for a stone to skim off the water. After looking around for a while, you can only find two stones.

  • Stone 1 = Long and narrow
  • Stone 2 = Wide and flat

Of these two stones, which do you think has the better chance of skimming beautifully across the water?

Obviously, the wide and flat stone is more likely to skim across the water, whereas the long and narrow stone is more likely to clip the water too sharply and plummet into oblivion.

Now let’s bring this metaphor back to the crux of this article. A traditional thin sole wedge is the equivalent of a long and narrow stone. Your throw needs to be almost perfect for the stone to skim. 

Conversely, a wide sole wedge is like a wide and flat stone. It is far easier to skim off the surface of the water. You don’t need to be athletically gifted to make it skim consistently. You just need to focus on delivering the wedge with a reasonably good angle of attack, and the club will take care of the rest.