OUR JOB IS YOUR GAME

What characteristics define the best performing wedge?

Is it consistency? Accuracy? Control? A little added forgiveness? We’ve found that it’s a combination of all of the above, and the best way to summarize that is through Mark Broadie’s Strokes Gained Methodology.  This year is the first time we’ve completed a wedge test at this scale. If you’re in the market for a new wedge in 2017, this is for you.

To determine this year’s rankings, we applied the Strokes Gained methodology to wedges at three distances – 15yd, 40yd, and full shots. We’ve provided the Strokes Gained values for each iron in our table below. As we have in the past, we have also provided standard launch monitor data, along with our Radial Distance and Shot Area calculations.

For more information visit our How We Test page.

THE WEDGES THAT MADE THE CUT

This year is the first time we’ve conducted a full-fledged Most Wanted Wedge Test.  For simplicity, we chose to test only 56° sand wedges at a standard/mid bounce option. The clubs tested include 17 of the golf industry’s most popular wedges. Most of the wedges tested feature milled grooves, and some have a bit of technology added for forgiveness and consistency.

ADVANCED GOLF ANALYTICS

Data matters. And when it comes to finding the right equipment, it’s critical. We help solve this by applying the largest connected set of head-to-head data to tackle one of golf’s biggest challenges.

All testing was conducted inside our fully independent test facility located in Virginia. All testers used Bridgestone B330-RX golf balls for consistency and to reduce test variables. All ball data was collected using the world’s most trusted launch monitor, Foresight Sports. All head data was captured using the Foresight’s HMT.

• SHOTS HIT: 10,605
• DATA POINTS: 445,410
• TIME: 80 hours
• TESTERS: 20
• HANDICAP RANGE: +2 – 16
• AGE RANGE: 24 – 79
• SWING SPEED RANGE: 75 – 120 mph 
• WEDGES TESTED: 56° Sand Wedge

Data. Aggregated. Normalized. Delivered.

For more details, see our How We Test page.

RESULTS AND RANKINGS

Our rankings aren’t determined inside a conference room. We don’t have a panel, and there are no votes. The launch monitor is the one and only judge. For our 2017 Most Wanted Wedge test, we collected a standard set of launch monitor metrics (ball speed, launch angle, spin rates, distance, etc.).

Using that data, we calculated a Strokes Gained average each club. Note that because Strokes Gained values are derived from PGA Tour data, it’s normal and expected that amateur averages will show negative Strokes Gained values. What’s important isn’t the absolute number, but rather how the numbers compare from club to club.

2017 Best Wedges

2017 Most Wanted Wedge Data

Below you’ll find the data from our 2017 Most Wanted Wedge Test. Note that you can use the Wedge Model filter to limit the display to specific models. You can also use the Shot Distance filter to display data from the three distances tested.