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A ‘high handicap’ describes a player that might perform a little less efficiently as more experienced golfers. Essentially, a handicap pertains to how high above par a person scores. The more number of shots a player struck in order to get the ball in the hole, the higher their handicap. So if for instance, the par on a hole is set at 18 and a player finishes with 19 shots, they’re considered a high handicapper.
Most of the time, beginners are almost always high handicappers because they’re not necessarily polished in terms of skill. So it takes more trial and error before they can reach their goal. Aside from practice, beginners can leverage other methods to help improve their handicap. For instance, investing in the best golf wedges for beginners or high handicappers can be a suitable step towards better performance.
What makes a golf wedge suitable for someone who’s just getting started in the game? Well, if you were wondering, there are a few factors that can help make a wedge much easier to use if you’re not too used to golfing just yet.
Wedge faces are naturally angled to generate height upon striking the ball. That’s because wedges are used when players are relatively near the hole - at around 125 yards - in order to bring the ball closer without changing its direction by rolling it over potentially uneven terrain. Some wedges are designed to create significant height in order to get a player out of a bunker.
The different wedges vary by way of their loft. These values have a specific range per wedge type so players can choose the loft they want per club. For instance, the pitching wedge can have a loft between 45 and 49 degrees, gap wedges are at 51 to 53 degrees, sand wedges at 54 and 58 degrees, and finally, lob wedges which can measure more than 60 degrees.
As a beginner, you might want to consider choosing a wedge with less loft. The reason for this is because a higher loft angle can make it difficult to hit the sweet spot. By choosing wedges that incorporate a lesser angle measure, you can get the hang of the swing easier to learn how wedges work in the first place.
Manufacturers are highly accommodating of users that might not be as skilled as the pros. That’s why there are countless golf clubs out there that incorporate some versatility features that make them more suitable for beginners who might not be sure of the specifics that would work best for their skill level and preferences.
Take shaft length for example. While there are guidelines on proper stance, the distance from the club head to the feet of the player himself can vary from person to person. This depends largely on preference, but plays an important role in comfort and performance.
Buying a wedge that allows you the ability to adjust the length of the shaft can help you determine your preferred stance. There are also some wedges that offer club heads that have adjustable lofts within that specific type of wedge’s working angle range. These versatile clubs are perfect for players who are still just learning what they want and how they swing best.
Feedback pertains to the sensation that travels up through a club shaft after impact with the ball. This helps players determine the feel of the shot, and makes it easier to be consistent with their swings later on. Feedback is an essential part of learning and improving, so for beginners and high handicappers who want to get better, a club that maximizes feedback should be top priority.
Feedback is generally affected by two factors - shaft material and club head design. Thinner heads, like blades, tend to give better feedback than thick cavity backs or woods. Stiff shafts transmit feedback more readily compared to flexible ones made from graphite, which tend to lose the feel of impact as it travels through the bending length of the shaft.
How sure are you that you’d be able to deliver a shot that can bring you closer to your target, a hundred percent of the time? Even professionals might not be able to guarantee that their shots will land them where they want to be every single time. That’s when forgiveness comes in.
Forgiveness pertains to the ability of a club to augment your swing so even if it isn’t perfectly executed, you still come up with a reasonable shot. For high handicappers and beginners, this can be a major game changer, making even some of the least viable shots reasonable ones.
See Related: The Most Forgiving Golf Irons
Of course, there is a downside. Forgiveness and feedback are indirectly proportional. So what does that mean? Basically, the more feedback a club offers, the less forgiving it might be. That’s because the features that add feedback often dampen forgiveness, making a club stiff and precise.
Consider whether you’d prefer to learn to be a better player with more feedback, or if you’d prefer to make effortlessly accurate shots. A club that offers the perfect marriage of flexibility and forgiveness might be hard to find, but it is out there.
Cleveland is a prominent brand in the golfing market, catering to all types of players throughout the entire spectrum of skill levels. For us, their 588 RTX 2.0 Muscle Back Standard Bounce Satin Wedge makes the best wedge for beginners, thanks to its intuitive combination of features that makes it easy, reliable, and effective on the course.
For starters, it features a finely textured club head that increases ball traction for better grip. This imparts spin and helps bring your ball where you need it to be. Other than that, it also uses a lightweight yet durable graphite shaft that helps beginners maximize their strength to get greater distance.
Finally, the Rotex technology incorporated into the design helps improve control. Basically, this makes using the club much more intuitive, so players can better anticipate ball behavior to improve consistency as you become more and more accustomed to the club.
There’s a lot to love about the Pinemeadow Wedge. Designed for beginners, high handicappers, and intermediate players, this club features premium construction and durability - at a fraction of the cost of other clubs from better known brands. Despite that, the Pinemeadow doesn’t lag behind in terms of performance, so its a great choice if you’re trying to stay within budget.
The design comes in a variety of lofts, including the 68 degree wedge which is almost impossible to find. Each one is developed to provide you a reliable club for any and every situation, offering superb control, feedback, and just the right amount of forgiveness so you don’t end up relying on the club 100% of the time.
Lastly, we do want to mention how the Pinemeadow Wedge heads are the largest on the market. With a substantial head surface area, it’s easy to hit the ball even if you’re not exactly the perfect swinger.
The last on our list of the best golf wedges for high handicappers are the Wilson Harmonized line of clubs which have become one of the most prominent franchises of clubs in the market. These clubs, designed with a high polish finish, high quality materials, and an innovative club head design, are intended for all types of players thanks to their versatile performance on the green.
One of the features we like the most about the Harmonized line is that they have a different sole compared to other wedges you’ll find. The innovative surface lets you discover new ways to rest your club on the grass, giving more options for your swing.
Another reason we like these wedges is because they’re lightweight and easy to control, while still giving just enough feedback for players to learn new skills as they progress.
Affordable and efficient, these innovative clubs are perfect for beginners who want a quality wedge that won’t weigh too heavy on their wallet.
Don’t let your beginner status discourage you from learning new skills. When it comes to golf, all you really need is to practice, practice, practice, and of course, invest in a good set of clubs. For those of you in search of the best golf wedges for beginners & high handicappers, we can recommend the Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Muscle Back Standard Bounce Satin Wedge.
This premium quality collection of wedges are easy to use while still allowing golfers to learn more about their skills. So for beginners who might want to improve over time without being too inefficient at the start, these clubs are a major investment.
