Despite its difficulty to master, the 60-degree wedge is my favorite club for greenside shots. I like to get the ball up high and stop it dead near the target to get up and down, which requires a weak loft and increased spin.

So if you’re looking for a good lob wedge to keep in your bag, this article details my top 9 for 2023.

Although all the lob wedges on our list spin rampantly and improve your consistency around the green, they vary in price and design. I have included a range of compact profiles with minimal forgiveness for superior golfers and forgiving cavity-back designs for a high-handicap golfer.

What to Look for in a Good Lob Wedge

Mid or Low-Bounce

In my experience, the best lob wedges feature a lower bounce profile to help you get under the ball and launch it high. When a lob wedge carries excess bounce in the sole, it can cause the clubface to bounce up and catch the ball higher than intended.

Hitting the ball in the equator or higher leads to a lower-flying golf shot which may not stop as quickly as if it were elevated.

When shopping for lob wedges, visit the specs section and identify the bounce of the said product. You will notice that bounce runs from approximately 4 degrees on the low side to over 10 on the higher end.

In my experience, I feel that anything over 8 degrees offers the average golfer too much bounce and can lead to your clubhead bouncing up off the turf. As a result, you will struggle to get under your golf ball for slop and bunker shots.

Versatile Sole Grind

Although superior golfers demand different grind options for their wedges, I believe the average golfer should keep it simple. That is why a versatile sole grind is a suitable option. This makes it easier for you to play chips, flops, medium-range shots, and bunker shots without drastically altering your setup.

Full Face Grooves

Without higher quantities of spin, you will struggle to elevate the ball and stop it rapidly near your target. That is why I suggest that the average golfer consider the options of full-face grooves, which help you produce maximum spin with an open clubface.

The grooves typically extend from the heel to the toe to offer a greater surface area to connect with the ball. As a result, it is easier for mid and high handicappers to make contact and impart substantial revs per minute on the ball.

Clean Turf Interaction

Crisp turf interaction is vital to help your clubhead glide across the turf and avoid digging into the earth. This motion propels your lob wedge to get underneath the ball for a raised launch and a soft landing. Characteristics that golfers welcome on flop and full shots.

The 9 Best Lob Wedges

1. Titleist Vokey SM9 – Overall Best Lob Wedge

Pros

• Soft feel
• Controlled flight
• Exceptional spin
• Compact profile
• Numerous soles are available to suit all attack angles and turf conditions.

Cons

• Pricey lob wedge
• Beginners may struggle for consistency based on its low launching nature.

The Titleist Vokey SM9 soars to the top of our list of best lob wedges for 2023 for its controlled flight, rampant spin, and superb feel. Plus, I appreciated the wealth of sole grind options to cater to varying attack angles and turf conditions.

I generated exceptional spin levels off the face with the combination of sharp patented Spin Milled Grooves and Micro-Grooves. The sharp spin-milled grooves bite into your ball at contact and impart increased spin on the ball for drop and stop control.

In addition, the micro-grooves run horizontally between the main grooves to enhance friction on all shots. From memory, this is the most forgiving Vokey wedge I have struck, but it still works better for low-handicap golfers.

Next, I found the higher center of gravity (CG) appealing because it prompted low-flying shots for superior command. This reduced the risk of ballooning lob wedge shots and losing distance control in my short game. Finally, Titleist offers the SM9 lob wedge in a 58, 60, and 62-degree profile.

2. Callaway Mack Daddy CB – Best For Golfers on a Budget

Pros

• Affordable price tag
• Maximum Forgiveness
• Prompts straighter shots
• Built for a high handicap golfer
• Generates consistent spin

Cons

• The lob wedge is only available in a single-sole grind
• The high MOI limits the workability

Keeping your golf equipment expenses to a minimum is possible if you box smart and opt for slightly older models. The Callaway Mack Daddy CB turns 3 this year, but its forgiving cavity back design and consistent spin help it punch far above its weight.

The cavity back construction enabled Callaway engineers to distribute weight around the clubface perimeter for an improved moment of inertia (MOI). Its high MOI profile restricted twisting during my swing to keep the face square at impact for straighter shots.

I also found the cavity back boosted the stability of the wedge to preserve ball speed and spin on off-center strikes. The full-face JAWS groove construction also generated substantial spin on all shots and enhanced my short-game control.

The only downside is that the Mack Daddy CB range sports high-bounce wedges which may increase the difficulty of executing a flop shot. Callaway offers this wedge in their W-grind, which suits golfers with steep attack angles. Lastly, the only lob wedge features 60 degrees of loft.

3. Cleveland RTX Zipcore – Best For Forgiveness

Pros

• Exceptional forgiveness
• Promotes straight flying shots
• Ample spin
• Durable, long lasting grooves
• Available in 3 sole grinds

Cons

• Its increased MOI minimizes workability
• The lower launch may prove challenging for slower swing speeds

Although we all long for a playable lob wedge with a soft feel, the average golfer suits a highly forgiving, oversized lob wedge. The Cleveland RTX Zipcore features a low-density ZipCore which lowers CG for a high launch and boosts MOI for greater consistency.

The UltiZip grooves performed as expected, prompting consistent spin, even on heel and toe mishits. This stems from the deep, sharp, and narrow grooves positioned closer together for an expanded active zone.

In my experience, the hollow cavity back design pushed weight into the toe while dispersing a low chamber to the heel. Together these components improved stability at impact for excellent spin and ball speed while keeping the clubface square for straight shots.

Next, the inclusion of a Gelback TPU insert softened the feel of each shot by drowning vibrations from mishits. Finally, Cleveland engineers built the RTX Zipcore lob wedge in a 58 and 60-degree profile, with the option of a low, mid or full grind.

4. Cleveland CBX2 – Best For High Handicappers

Pros

• Superior forgiveness
• Generates adequate spin
• Promotes a higher launch
• Eradicates vibrations on off-center hits
• Affordable

Cons

• Chunky profile
• Only one sole grind is offered for the lob wedge.

High handicappers need a forgiving wedge that contains perimeter weighting, a low CG, and a high MOI. These features deliver straighter shots and consistent spin, as I found in the Cleveland CBX2 wedge.

The hollow cavity back design spreads the weight around the clubface perimeter to increase stability at contact. This helped me maintain spin and ball speed on all strikes for satisfactory distance control and accuracy.

Like the CBX Zipcore, the CBX2 possesses a Gelback TPU insert to dampen vibrations running up the shaft on off-center hits. Furthermore, the Enhanced Feel Balancing Technology offered a surprisingly soft feel off the clubface for a game-improvement lob wedge.

Cleveland engineers opted for a single sole grind option on the lob wedge, a C-Shaped sole. The design made it easier for me to open the clubface thanks to relief on the heel, toe, and trailing edge. Finally, Cleveland offers this lob wedge in a 58 and 60-degree profile.

5. Callaway Mack Daddy 5 JAWS – Best For Mid Handicappers

Pros

• Soft feel
• High spinning grooves
• Consistent spin on mishits
• Attractive player-preferred profile
• Three sole grind options

Cons

• I struggled with the glare
• The 3 medallions on the flange are an eyesore.

Mid-handicap golfers deserve a refined-looking wedge that produces a soft feel and satisfactory revolutions per minute without sacrificing forgiveness. The Callaway Mack Daddy 5 JAWS hits the mark in these areas to enhance your greenside experience.

I thoroughly enjoyed the soft feel and exceptional feedback generated by the MD 5 JAWS, thanks to the 8620 Mild Carbon Steel clubface. As a result, it caused me to better judge the power of each shot for superior distance control.

Besides its feel, the Callaway MD 5 JAWS produces spin across the face because of its Groove-In-Groove technology and micro features. The grooves bite into your ball at impact for a rampant spin, while the microfeatures ensure optimal friction on all shots.

Next, mid-handicappers will appreciate the players-shaped head, which offers a compact profile for a more attractive look. Lastly, Callaway crafted the lob wedges in 58 or 60-degree lofts. Plus, you have the option of an S and W and C-grind, with the latter offering the best versatility.

6. TaylorMade Hi-Toe Raw – Best Lob Wedge For Low Handicappers

Pros

• Superior feedback
• Classy-aged copper finish
• Prompts consistent spin and velocity on all strikes
• Produces controlled flight
• Smooth turf interaction

Cons

• The face rusts over time which some golfers may not appreciate
• The lower flight is not ideal for high handicappers or seniors

Low handicappers look for wedges that generate a buttery smooth feel, controlled flight, a compact profile, and exceptional spin. The TaylorMade Hi-Toe Raw lob wedge possesses all these features, with an Aged Copper Finish for a rich, premium finish.

Apart from aesthetics, the Hi-Toe Raw wedge produces sensational spin levels from its Raw Face, which sports narrow, sharp, and deep grooves. The golf ball sunk into the teeth of the indentations and spun hard off the face for a drop-and-stop spin on the flop and full shots.

The Raw Face Technology is supported by Full Face Scoring Lines which sit between the grooves to boost contact. I found I generated the necessary spin and ball speed on all shots, thanks to this genius engineer by TaylorMade.

Low handicappers will welcome the higher CG position, which managed to deliver lower, controlled flight for hop and stop spin. Finally, TaylorMade offers the Hi Toe Raw wedge in a 58, 60, and 62-degree loft and the alternative of a standard or low wedge bounce.

7. Wilson Staff Model – Best For Consistent Contact

Pros

• Promotes consistent contact off the clubface
• Generates sufficient spin
• Soft feel
• Clean turf interaction
• Versatile sole grind for

Cons

• Only crafted in one sole grind
• The glare was an issue

Generating optimal spin in your short game requires clean contact with the golf ball and elevated friction levels. The Wilson Staff Model lob wedge thrives in this department as its clubface is designed for consistent connection resulting in optimal spin and velocity on all shots.

I found the Precision Milled Face and Advanced Spin Scorelines worked well to soften the feel and boost spin on all shots. The Advanced Score Spinlines are machine etched into the face to create a larger density pattern.

The density pattern across the clubface gives your golf ball more surface to grip onto at impact, generating sufficient spin. I also welcomed the remarkably soft feel enjoyed on most shots which stemmed from the durable 8620 Forged Carbon Steel.

Wilson only constructed a 60-degree lob wedge profile with a Tour grind sole, which I felt glided through the turf effortlessly. The grind is designed for versatility and consistency on all shots without severely altering your setup.

8. Cobra Snake Bite – Best For Consistent Spin

Pros

• Generates optimal spin across the clubface
• Crisp turf interaction
• Glare resistant
• Pleasant feel
• 3 sole grind options

Cons

• The profile may appear too chunky for some golfers
• Moderately expensive compared to its peers

The average golfer struggles to consistently strike the ball cleanly, leading to lackluster spin results on flop shots, chips, and shots out of the bunkers. The Cobra Snake Bite wedge sports Full-Face grooves to produce maximum revs per minute on open-face strikes.

Not only do the grooves run the width of the clubface, but they are also 40% sharper and 11% deeper than previous iterations. I felt this did well to bite into my ball at impact and impart enhanced spin for drop and stop control in my short game.

Cobra engineers enhanced the groove tolerances and optimized the groove volume to encourage a clean strike across the clubface. I noticed that I still generated satisfactory results on heel and toe mishits.

The Cobra Snake Bite lob wedge is offered in a 60-degree profile, and Ricky Fowler’s sponsors provide 3 sole grinds. While I preferred the Versatile option, you also have the choice of a Widelow or Classic club grind, which suits neutral and steep swingers.

9. Ping Glide 4.0 – Best For a Soft Feel

Pros

• Buttery soft feel
• Encourages consistent contact
• Imparts optimal spin on the ball
• Available in 4 sole grinds
• Generates a lower ball flight which superior golfers appreciate

Cons

• It’s priced at a premium
• I find most sole grinds deliver more bounce than I desire.

Soft-feeling wedges provide maximum feedback and help golfers determine how much force their shot requires for superb distance control. The Ping Glide 4.0 stands out as the best-feeling wedge thanks to a CTP insert and 8620 carbon steel body.

The steel produces a buttery-soft feel at contact for a superb feel and amplified acoustics. Ping engineers decided that was not enough and applied a CTP insert behind the clubface to reduce vibrations on mishits.

In addition, I felt the Emery face blast finish did wonders for the consistency of my strikes due to the added texture on the clubface. This resulted in superior friction levels at impact, prompting adequate velocity and spin on all shots.

Ping engineers constructed the Glide 4.0 lob wedge with a 58 and 60-degree loft profile and 4 sole grinds. The S-grind proved to be the most versatile and suited to a broader range of golfers, but it does produce more bounce than I would like.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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When I was first learning to play golf, I often struggled with the direction of my approach shots.

On a particular par 3 hole, I flushed a 7-iron but thanks to a nasty wind gust ended up 20 yards to the right of the hole, although the shot was the correct distance. Needless to say, I was wishing I could take a mulligan!

My Dad said, “Well at least your tee shot was pin high.” I remember glancing at him with a deer in the headlights type of look. Since most beginners may not know what pin high means, we decided to go discuss it in this post.

What Does The Term Pin High Mean in Golf?

The term pin high may sound complicated but it’s actually quite simple. A pin high shot is any shot that travels the exact distance of the flagstick. Let’s go over a couple of examples below to further explain things.

Have you ever hit a good iron shot into the green that was the exact distance of the pin but nowhere near the location of the hole? Surprisingly, that’s called a pin high shot because your golf ball still wound up being parallel to the hole.

In contrast, have you ever hit an incredible golf shot that wound up just to the right or left of the hole for a short putt for eagle? That’s also considered a pin high shot.

Is It a Good Thing to Be Pin High?

As with most questions about the game of golf, the answer depends on a variety of factors. If you are pin high after a shot, it’s a good thing in that you selected the correct club and showed some accuracy with your distance control. Obviously, if you hit a pin high shot and only leave yourself a 3-foot birdie putt, that’s a fabulous thing!

However, being pin high is not always a good thing. For example, if you hit a pin high shot that ended up in a greenside bunker or (worse) out of bounds in a nearby water hazard, that’s not a good thing for your scorecard. Hitting the ball into the water hazard is especially bad since it results in a one-stroke penalty.

So, in other words, just because you hit the ball the correct yardage doesn’t help you if you landed too far away from the pin position. Plenty of golfers may be pin high after their second shot on a par 4 and still wind up making a double bogey or worse in stroke play. Heck, I’ve even ended up making a dreaded snowman (8) on a Par 5 after hitting a pin high approach shot.

Why It’s Called Pin High

Contrary to popular belief, being pin high has absolutely nothing to do with the height of your shots. It simply means that you hit your approach shot the correct distance, which would be even with the flagstick (or pin). As we discussed earlier, being pin high can be either a good thing or a bad thing.

Pin High is simply a slang term that is thrown around on golf courses all over the world. As you may or may not know, most golfers are extremely fond of slang words. After all, golf pins are a nickname for the flags or flagsticks.

Pin High vs. Hole High

Surprisingly, there is no difference between being pin high or being hole high. Both are slang words that mean the exact same thing: a shot that traveled a distance that is even to the pin or hole. Golfers use these terms interchangeably all of the time.

While there is no difference between being pin high and being hole high, there is a major difference between being pin high and being pin low. While a pin high shot is the correct distance with the wrong direction, a pin low shot is the correct direction but winds up short of the pin.

Would You Rather Be Pin High Or Pin Low?

It all depends on the layout of the green and the position of the hole location. Most of the time golfers would prefer to be pin high because at least they knew that they pulled the right club for their approach shot.

That being said, sometimes winding up pin low of the hole is an advantage. This is especially true if the pin location is uphill. Uphill putts don’t break nearly as sharply or as quickly as downhill putts.

Should You Leave The Pin in When Putting?

This has been a popular question ever since 2019 when the USGA made a new rule that allowed golfers to leave the pin in during their putts. The rule gives golfers the option to leave the pin in, remove the pin, or have their caddie tend the pin during a putt. One of the main reasons for the rule change was to hopefully speed up the pace of play.

According to Dave Pelz, a well-known putting instructor who has a degree in Physics, golfers should always leave the pin in while putting. Pelz led a study back in 1990 that proved that golfers will sink more putts just by leaving the flagstick in. The results of the study proved that the golf ball still has plenty of space to drop into the hole with the pole in place.

Famous PGA Tour stars like Bryson DeChambeau and Adam Scott have adopted the “pin-in” putting philosophy and it has helped their scoring. Dechambeau even did a short demonstration video on why he thinks putting with the flagstick in will help him sink a higher percentage of putts:

On the other hand, Golf Digest did an analysis with the golf teams at California Polytechnic State University on whether or not golfers should take the flag out or leave it in while putting. According to their research and trials, PGA Tour players would only benefit from leaving the flagstick in on 0.0033% of all putts!

So, should you leave the pin in place when putting? As with a lot of things in golf, there is no definitive answer. Though DeChambeau, Scott, and Pelz say the science supports leaving the pin in, most PGA Tour pros still pull the flagstick out of the hole before using their putter.

According to the USGA website, there is no competitive advantage to be gained by putting with the flagstick in or taking it out. The best thing you can do is experiment with both theories and see which one lowers your handicap and gets you closer to becoming a scratch golfer.

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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