With the way golf club lofts have changed in the last few years, it’s important to consider what wedges you have in your bag and if they are the right fit for your game. A sand wedge is important not just for getting out of the sand trap but also for chips and pitches around the green.

I love my sand wedge and would never take it out of the bag, but not all golfers feel this way. Let’s take a look at some reasons why you may want to keep your sand wedge and some reasons you may want to let it go.

The Case FOR Carrying a Sand Wedge in Your Bag

I’ll let you know right from the start that my case for carrying a sand wedge will be stronger than my case against carrying a sand wedge. I think it’s an important club. There are three reasons I would recommend carrying a sand wedge in your bag: control, versatility, and loft.

Control

The sand wedge is one of the easiest clubs in the bag for an amateur golfer to be able to put backspin on. If you are chipping shots around the green, the ability to stop them is essential. Whether you are working on short approach shots or something out of a greenside bunker, control is paramount.

In addition to the ability to spin the ball and stop it on the green, the sand wedge is also good for distance control. Once you learn how your sand wedge works, you can hit shorter shots like 20, 30, 40, and 50 yard shots that help you become more accurate.

Versatility

The sand wedge is versatile. Although many beginners think this is a club to hit out of the sand traps, it is much more than that. A 56-degree sand wedge should be one of your best friends when you get close to the green.

The bounce angle, clean leading edge, and trajectory of the sand wedge make it a perfect selection for various shots. If you open the face of the sand wedge, it’s possible to hit a flop shot. If you close it a little, you can have a lower ball flight with a bit more roll.

Loft

Golf manufacturers are making clubs with less and less loft. The reason behind this is distance. If you need distance, then you want these lower-lofted clubs. With the center of gravity advancements and repositioning, golfers can still hit the ball high, even with the lower lofted clubs in their hands.

I love having the sand wedge in my bag because it’s a little more loft than the gap wedge and a little less than the lob wedge; it fills a gap in my bag that I need to fill.

The Case AGAINST Carrying a Sand Wedge in Your Bag

Now that you have a better idea as to why a sand wedge is so important, we have to address the elephant in the room here, the golfers that can’t stand the club and don’t keep it in the bag. Most of the time, this is a beginner golfer or high handicapper that struggles with the short game.

If you take the sand wedge out of the bag each time and it results in a shot that is chunked or skulled across the green, then chances are it is not helping you to keep the club in the bag.

As a golf professional, I have always felt that any player can learn how to use any club that is fitted to their game. I also understand that there are some mental hangups around certain clubs, like the sand wedge.

Sometimes the way the sand wedge sets up is not very confidence-inducing. It makes players think that they have to scoop the ball up off the ground to get it into the air. Of course, that isn’t the case, but it can take some time to figure this concept out.

In addition, when you are struggling with the sand wedge, it is not always a club that offers much forgiveness. In fact, it’s pretty unforgiving, especially in the blade style wedge. If you need to simplify your short game, there are alternatives to the sand wedge that could be a good fit.

The Types of Players Who SHOULD Carry a Sand Wedge

Golfers who should carry a sand wedge include mid to low handicappers and even some high handicappers confident in their chipping strokes. In addition, golfers that want more loft, easy launch out of sand traps, and more workability in their shots should also consider using the sand wedge.

Lower Handicappers

Professional golfers and those that shoot low have an incredible ability to control what the ball does around the green. The reason they can do this is partially because of feel but also because of the equipment they play with.

Something like a Titleist Vokey SM9 wedge is designed for this type of player, and it has lots of greenside spin to help keep the ball from rolling off the green or past the pin.

Mid Handicappers

The mid handicappers or average golfers find the sand wedge can help them get out of trouble and get up and down from a variety of places on the golf course. Depending on the type of courses you play, there could be trouble around the greens, and the sand wedge can save you.

Mid handicappers often have enough confidence in their swing to take a full swing with a sand wedge and use it as an approach shot into the green.

Most mid handicappers play with some type of game-improvement iron with a lower lofted pitching wedge. Adding the sand wedge into the game helps with an extra loft on bunker shots and greater versatility.

High Handicappers

You may have assumed that high handicappers and beginners are the players that should not carry a sand wedge. I don’t think this is true. However, as a high handicapper or beginner, you do have to have a general understanding of what it takes to hit a solid chip shot with a sand wedge.

If you can get a general idea of what a great shot with this club feels like, you can decrease your score and get up and down.

Some beginner sets do not include a sand wedge because it takes a bit of time to learn how to use one. However, you can absolutely learn the skills if you dedicate a little time.

The Types of Players Who SHOULDN’T Carry a Sand Wedge

Golfers that should not carry a sand wedge include those that skull, chunk, or even shank a sand wedge each time they take it out of the bag. After having taught thousands of golf lessons in my career, I can tell you that this player exists.

Sometimes the higher lofted wedge is just not a good fit for a player, and they struggle too much each time the club comes out of the bag. There is good and bad news here.

The good news here is that most of the chipping you need to do around the green can be done with other clubs and slight adjustments to your stance and setup. The bad news is you still need a golf club with a high loft somewhere in the bag.

Sand Wedge Alternatives

There are a few clubs you will want to have in place if the sand wedge throws you off. Remember that if you choose not to have anything higher in loft than the pitching wedge, there will be certain greenside shots that are nearly impossible to pull off.

Pitching Wedge

The pitching wedge is the wedge that most golfers use if they are reluctant to take out the sand wedge. Pitching wedges can help you take a more compact swing and still see results in your golf game.

Pitching wedges have less loft than sand wedges, so the ball will roll a bit more when it does hit the green.

Chipper

A chipper is essentially like a mix between a putter and a wedge. With the chipper, you have a shorter club (about putter length) that allows you to take a miniature version of a bigger chipping stroke.

It’s almost like taking a putt with a club with a bit more loft and standard wedge grooves. The loft of a chipper is low, and it’s best for bump-and-run shots.

Forgiveness from a chipper is impressive, and the chance of skulling or chunking this shot is slim.

Lob Wedge (Bunker Rescue Club)

As I mentioned, if you don’t have the sand wedge in the bag, you still need something that provides a higher launch. A high launch club gets you out of a bunker or on the green when you have short-sided yourself.

Some golf clubs are made for golfers that struggle with the traditional sand wedge. They are high-lofted wedges like the xE1 designed specifically to get you out of the bunker in one shot.

If you take the sand wedge out because it brings in too much inconsistency, make sure you still have a plan for yourself when the golf ball ends up in the bunker.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children.

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If you are a mid or high handicapper, you should play a cavity back wedge for its forgiveness and consistency. Like cavity back irons, these golf wedges mitigate off-center strikes to keep you on target and in contention.

In this post, I break down the intricacies of a cavity back wedge and explain why you, as an average golfer, would perform better with one.

In addition, I’ll reveal my 3 favorite cavity back wedges which ensure optimal spin, crisp turf interaction, and an aggressive bite.

What is a Cavity Back Wedge?

A cavity back wedge is constructed using a cast, which enables engineers to create wided`r soles, perimeter weighting, and sharp grooves. This production technique is more affordable than the forging process used to craft blades.

You’ll notice that the wider sole prompts crisp turf interaction from any lie to prevent high handicappers from chunking short game shots. In addition, the perimeter weighting expands the sweet spot and halts spin drop-off for consistent results.

Furthermore, a cavity back wedge sports an advanced moment of inertia (MOI) to promote a square clubface through impact for straighter shots.

Pros of a Cavity Back Wedge

Prevents Spin Drop Off

The perimeter weighting on a cavity back lob, sand, or gap wedge expands the sweet spot to prevent spin drop-off across the face. As a result, you produce consistent revolutions per minute on all shots for consistent, accurate results.

When you play with blades, the sweet spot is set in the center of the clubface, and any off-center hits lead to a loss of spin and accuracy.

Straighter Shots

In addition to preventing spin drop-off, the perimeter weighting and broader clubhead sole combine to stabilize the clubface at contact, ensuring straighter strikes. You’ll find the increased MOI in the club prevents the face from twisting during your swing to keep it square into impact.

Crisp Turf Interaction

You’ll see that a cavity back wedge often contains a broader clubhead sole built to produce clean turf interaction. The wider sole glides over the grass with limited engagement to prevent amateurs from digging the clubhead into the turf and chunking your ship or pitch shot.

Eradicate Vibrations

The cavity back design on wedges allows engineers the space to employ vibration-dampening technology to protect your palms on the heel and toe mishits. Instead of nasty shocks running up your club shaft, the technology drowns them and ensures your hands enjoy a soft feel on every shot.

Suits A Wide Range Of Golfers

Finally, the forgiving, consistent performance of cavity-back wedges makes them an ideal club for a wide range of golfers. I feel middle to high-handicappers can benefit from its leniency to nail more up and downs.

Cons of a Cavity Back Wedge

Chunky Profile

The biggest drawback of a cavity back wedge is the chunky profile you look over at the address. These golf clubs are not the prettiest compared to a compact blade profile, but it was the only option to employ perimeter weighting to prevent spin drop-off.

Reduced Feel

In my experience, a cavity design gap, sand, or lob wedge produces limited feedback and feel at impact. I find this makes it difficult to judge the power of your strike to get the ball close to the cup.

Limited Workability

The final con of a cavity back wedge revolves around workability. Most wedges with this construction possess advanced MOI, which helps you square the face at impact for greater accuracy.

However, you’ll notice this restricts you from shaping your shots when you need to induce a draw or fade. This may not impact your shot plan as a high handicapper, but as you improve your game, you’ll want the freedom to work the ball around the golf course.

Who Should Use Cavity Back Wedges?

Mid and high-handicapper golfers should use cavity back wedges for their forgiveness, high MOI, consistent spin, and optimal turf interaction. You’ll appreciate the leniency of cavity back wedges when your rhythm and tempo is off and strike the ball in the heel or the toe.

A forgiving wedge with enhanced MOI combats the effects of off-center strikes to produce straight shots for superior accuracy. Although I feel most golfers can benefit from cavity back wedges, high handicappers stand to extract the most value.

Top 3 Cavity Back Wedge Recommendations

1. Cleveland CBX 2

Pros

• Produces consistent spin
• Enhanced MOI
• Forgiving
• Combats slices thanks to a toe bias profile
• Eradicates vibrations on off-center strikes

Cons

• The toe bias CG restricts workability
• It provides limited feedback

The Cleveland CBX 2 is among the best wedges with a cavity design that provides exceptional leniency and aggressive spin. In addition, my hands were protected by the Gelback technology, which eradicated vibrations from the heel and toe mishits.

Due to the hollow cavity design, Cleveland’s engineers distributed weight around the clubface’s perimeter for an expanded sweet spot. As a result, you’ll experience a limited spin drop-off and enhanced MOI for straighter shots.

Moreover, I appreciated the performance of the Enhanced Feel Balancing Technology, which prompted a toe bias to fight right misses. Finally, you’ll produce rampant spin off the 4th Generation Rotex Face technology due to its Tour zip grooves.

2. Callaway Mack Daddy CB

Pros

• Generates rampant spin
• Enhances traction
• Makes it easier for high handicappers to hit flop shots
• Smooth turf interaction
• Increased MOI

Cons

• Minimal bounce options
• Offers limited workability on full shots

The Callaway Mack Daddy CB wedge is a high-spinning cavity back wedge that ensures advanced forgiveness, a satin chrome finish, and clean turf interaction. I find the average golfer can produce consistent chip and pitch shots for more ups and downs.

You’ll see the Groove-in-Groove technology is the star of this wedge. The Callaway machine worked 4 micro positive ridges on the flat surfaces between the grooves, creating 84 contact points on the clubface. In my experience, this enhances friction on shots with an open face producing a high-flop chip shot that sits rapidly.

Moreover, the undercut cavity design enabled the engineers to position mass around the clubface’s perimeter to elevate MOI and forgiveness. Lastly, the satin chrome finish provides the wedge with an attractive satin chrome finish.

3. Tour Edge Launch Hot Launch E522

Pros 

• Incredibly affordable
• Limits turf friction by 35%
• It promotes straighter shots, thanks to a high MOI
• Increased spin
• Optimal forgiveness

Cons

• The oversized clubface may deter some players
• I experienced issues with a glare at address

The Tour Edge Hot Launch E522 wedge produces the best turf interaction for cavity back wedges, thanks to its exceptionally wide Houdini sole. Tour Edge suggests it limits turf friction by 35%, and although I cannot confirm that figure, I did notice a clean glide over the grass.

You’ll find that the clean turf interaction provided by the Houdini sole prevents you from digging your clubhead into the turf and chunking your shot. Instead, it promotes clean contact from any lie.

In addition, the super deep undercut cavity construction on the E522 wedge promotes a high launch on the flop and full shots for a soft, rapid landing. You’ll see this wedge features a gigantic clubface which boosts MOI for improved accuracy.

Finally, I admired the work of the full-face maximized grooves, which I felt provided maximum spin on all shots. Plus, it prevented spin drop-off on off-center strikes to ensure a consistent short-game performance.

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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