Menu
Designed to bridge the gap between sand and pitching wedges, the gap wedge is a club that features a loft angle of 50-54 degrees. It produces a trajectory and distance that fills in the disparity between sand wedges and pitching wedges, but it does generate a similarly arching shot. So it works well for situations when you might need to overcome obstacles like bushes or wide strips of sand or water.
Now, while the general function and purpose of gap wedges remains the same throughout the market, there are minute differences in each one that could affect the way it meets your preferences and standards. So if you’re in search of the best gap wedge your money can buy, take cues from our complete guide to help you land the right design.
With provision for only 14 clubs in your bag, do you really have room to spare for a gap wedge? Or is it a club that you can just give up all together? Before you consider getting rid of the gap in favor of another iron or perhaps a chipper, consider these reasons why you’d probably want to have one in your arsenal.
The most notable tour shots are the ones that were hit with gap wedges, or at least those that would have been better addressed with a gap wedge. For instance, Watson’s 2012 Masters win was ultimately a result of his quick witted use of a 52 gap. On the other hand, Mickelson who holds the record for the most runner-up finishes in the history of professional US golf, admits that he would have probably been better known as the winner of the 2013 US Open had he pulled out a gap on the 13th hole.
Basically, what this is trying to say is that the need for a gap wedge happens more often than most players would like to admit. And in many ways, pulling out the gap when it’s especially necessary and appropriate, could possibly pave the way to a win.
Back in the day, players would take their PWs and SWs in their bag and go without any other wedge - which was fine. Back then, PWs’ lofts would range an average of 51 degrees. But as the industry for golf gear evolved, PW lofts changed drastically, and now only reach up to 47 degrees. Sand wedges, on the other hand, have maintained their loft at 56 degrees, which leaves a lot of room between the PW and SW.
Considering the fact that a slight difference in loft could result to significantly different outcomes, the drastic disparity between a PW and SW could leave you a large gap that might not be properly addressed by any other sort of club. Keeping a gap wedge helps guarantee that you’ll have something at the ready for any situation.
If you were planning on sparing room for just three wedges in your bag, the gap wedge is one that definitely needs to be included. With a PW, a gap wedge, and a lob wedge, you get 6 degrees of difference between each loft. This gives you a complete arsenal that promises you’ll have something for every situation the course might throw your way. With that, you might actually be better off dropping the sand wedge if you were hoping to make room for other clubs in your bag.
One of the things you’ll notice as you rifle through the market for gap wedges is that there are a variety of models to choose from. While they all promise to help you achieve pretty much the same thing, there are a few minor differences between each design that could mean the difference between satisfaction and buyer’s remorse.
Here’s what you need to look out for if you want to land the best gap.
Bounce refers to the behavior of a club upon impact with the ground beneath it. As you swing your club, it may ‘bounce’ off the ground which may affect the way it impacts the ball all together. Low bounce gap wedges are best suited for sweeping swings that produce little to no divots. High bounce wedges are suitable for players who tend to create large divots, or for conditions with softer ground feel. Mid bounce is most ideal for players who want versatile use out of their wedge, allowing optimal performance on a wider spectrum of conditions.
The sole grind refers to different shaping that manufacturers use on areas of the sole. Most wedges have grinds around the heel or toe, and these help add to the performance of a club. For instance, grinding around the heel helps to open up the face of the club more efficiently, however it does impact the way the club will bounce upon impact.
Loft pertains to the angle of the wedge head. The gap wedge’s loft ranges from 50-54 degrees. If you’re wondering which one you should get, there really is no magic number. Instead, consider the loft on your other wedges. As a general rule, you should want a discrepancy of 4-6 degrees between your wedges. So if your pitching wedge is 47, you might want a gap wedge between 51 to 53 degrees.
A little roughness on the face of a wedge will help give it more cling. The more securely it can grip a ball during impact, the more likely you’ll be able to get yourself out of a sticky situation - which the gap wedge is typically for. What the Cleveland Golf 588 RTX 2.0 Muscle Back Standard Bounce Satin Wedge has going for it is the fact that it features deep grooves and a finely milled Rotex face pattern that gives it superb traction. The texture is particularly rough, pushing the limits that the USGA allows, but still falling within acceptable parameters.
The mid-bounce wedge’s textured face also helps impart greater spin - an essential for getting out of bunkers and over obstacles. But what we found to be particularly impressive is that despite its aggressive milling, it offers superb control, allowing users to anticipate the results of a strike more accurately.
Finally, when it comes to prices, the 588 RTX 2.0 isn’t exactly the cheapest club. But while a price might seem a tad too steep, it’s worth mentioning that this wedge is definitely worth its weight in gold when you consider its super performance.
If you’ve got a slightly bigger budget, we recommend the Callaway Golf 2018 Chrome Mack Daddy 4. This gap wedge comes in a wide variety of grinds and bounce heights, catering to any preference and providing superb performance that meets your specific play style. Each club also features groove-in-groove technology which helps provide excellent grip for excellent spin to effectively toss your ball out of or over an obstacle.
What we particularly appreciate about the Mack Daddy 4 is that it gives a really satisfying feel. If you’re a player who likes strong feedback, then the Mack Daddy 4 can be a great investment. The premium carbon steel and graphite elements work impeccably well together and resonate strongly to give you precise feel to help you fine tune your swing.
There really is a lot to appreciate about the Callaway Golf 2018 Mack Daddy 4, but the price tag can make it slightly unattainable. Of course, if your pocket goes that deep, you can definitely find a worthy purchase in this top notch wedge.
On the other end of the price spectrum, we have the Pinemeadow Golf PGX Wedge. Despite being over a hundred bucks cheaper than the Callaway Golf Mack Daddy 4, the Pinemeadow Golf PGX Wedge is still pretty impressive, featuring premium performance at a very pocket-friendly cost.
While it doesn’t come with the same fancy bells and whistles that other clubs come with, the PGX Wedge is definitely one that gets the job done. We also find that the wedge can be ideal for beginners and high handicappers because it has a wide sole that opens up the face and helps improve forgiveness. The large sweet spot across the face of the head can effectively augment off-center shots, producing your intended results even if you weren’t able to properly execute the shot.
The handsome Harmonized wedges from Wilson are some of the most popular on the market. They’re efficient, aggressive, and durable, providing you a reliable piece of golfing equipment that you can pull out with confidence for optimal performance. They achieve their capacity to perform thanks to a unique, intuitive sole grind design that opens up the face, providing players more versatile functionality around the course.
Although it is pretty affordable, and although it does perform relatively better than most other wedges on the market, the Harmonized does have a few flaws. Firstly, the club is pretty outdated compared to its competitor models from other brands that tend to come with more tech-centric designs. Secondly, the finish on the Harmonized clubs nicks and scuffs really easily, so it will look tired and used-up just a few weeks after use.
The high bounce rating on the Ray Cook Golf Blue Goose Wedge is one that’s perfect for soft green terrain, giving exceptional bounce that’s satisfying both in feel and feedback. The tour-proven design features a non-glare cobalt blue head that’s definitely eye-popping and attention-grabbing. It also comes equipped with a durable graphite shaft and a soft rubberized grip that makes it exceptionally comfortable in the hand.
With long face grooves, the club provides aggressive traction that grips your ball securely to toss it effectively out of an obstacle. As a gap wedge, this specific, simple, and straightforward design is definitely one that you’d be happy to have in your bag. The only issue is that it might be slightly too light for most players, so it may take some getting used to.
The gap wedge is a humble club that any self-respecting golfer should never be without. Designed to bridge the gap, the GW guarantees that you’ll produce just the right trajectory and distance needed in any golfing situation. Do you have a gap wedge in your arsenal? If you don’t, it’s probably high time that you consider investing in one.
The best gap wedge on the market based on our research is none other than the Cleveland Golf 588 RTX 2.0 Muscle Back Standard Bounce Satin Wedge. With a reasonable price and an intuitively designed head, the 588 RTX 2.0 is a top performing club definitely worth every penny.
