The first time I saw a 60-degree wedge was in 1993, when a junior, Rory Sabbatini, showed my father and me how he hit the ball back over his shoulder. I thought this was magical and have been fascinated by the club ever since. That is why I enjoyed this assignment, as I went searching for the best lob wedges in 2022.
What’s the best lob wedge for you?
The options that made our final top 10 are all 60-degree wedges because the higher lofted lob wedges are excessive for the average player to control. You’ll notice a mixture of forgiving, workable, premium, and affordable lob wedges for golfers of all abilities.
Read on to learn about the best loft wedges to help you take some strokes off your game.
Lob wedges are crafted with 60, 62, and in some cases, 64 degrees of loft. However, you will find more 60-degree constructions than others, which frankly carry excessive loft for the average golfer to control. Some amateurs even struggle with a 60-degree loft as they balloon their shots and possess limited control over them.
The bottom line is that the average golfer should not consider lob wedges that exceed 60 degrees of loft.
Sole grind is arguably the most essential factor surrounding wedges because it impacts turf interaction and bounce. Wedge manufacturers create sole grinds to perform on different ground conditions.
For example, if you operate with a shallow attack angle and take little to no divot, you need a low bounce wedge. Conversely, golfers with steep attack angles and deep divots should consider a high bounce wedge to prevent the clubhead from digging into the turf.
The other factor which impacts your wedge bounce is the turf. A low bounce grind performs well on firmer ground, requiring little assistance. Contrarily, a high bounce sole grind suits damp, soft grass.
Lob wedges must produce rampant spin to help you get your golf ball high and for aggressive drop and stop control. I recommend searching for lob wedges with sharp, deep, and narrow grooves. You’ll find that this structure is most effective at gripping the golf ball cover and imparting maximum spin on the ball.
Feel is a massive part of your short game, as you rely on your judgment to get the ball as close to the hole as possible. When you cannot feel the golf ball off the face, it is challenging to determine how hard to strike it.
However, when you play with a lob wedge crafted from 8620 Carbon Steel, you find that it offers a subtle, responsive feel at impact. You may also find game improvement lob wedges fitted with polyurethane foam to soften the blow of vibrations at impact.
Read Next: If you are satisfied with your current lob wedge but could use a sand, gap, or pitching wedge, we have multiple options. Read our guide on the best golf wedges in 2022.
As an independent team, we select the best lob wedges based on our research. While we get a commission if you use one of our affiliate links, brands do not pay us to conduct reviews, so everything you read on our website is unbiased and factual. We have a team of golfers who write and have more than a thousand hours of experience reviewing golf equipment.
The Callaway Mack Daddy 5 tops our list of best lob wedges in 2022 thanks to its soft feel, versatile sole grind options, and exceptional spin. Plus, you’ll notice that it carries a favorable price tag to suit varying budgets.
Besides the elevated spin rate it produces, I thoroughly enjoyed the feel of this wedge, which I owe to the 8620 Mild Carbon Steel construction. It offers a soft feel off the face for enhanced control and a pleasant greenside experience.
You’ll notice that Callaway offers the Mack Daddy 5 Jaws in five sole grinds to cater to a broader range of golfers.
I felt the S-grind was the most versatile since it suits a range of attack angles and performs optimally on soft to medium firm turf.
The star of this show is undoubtedly the JAWS MD 5 Groove Microfeatures constructed to enhance friction at contact and impart rampant spin on the ball. You’ll find that the heightened spin rate enables you to get your ball high for a soft, controlled landing.
Sticking with Ely’s company, we turn to our best budget lob wedge. The Mack Daddy took the prize thanks to its high spin grooves, classy satin chrome finish, and optimal turf interaction. The consistent nature of this wedge makes it a viable candidate for high handicappers and players looking to quash equipment expenses.
Callaway kitted the Mack Daddy CB wedge with full-face Jaws grooves which sharpen the edges for enhanced spin and control around the putting surface. I felt these grooves provided sufficient support to launch high and stop my ball rapidly.
Mack Daddy CB lob wedges are constructed with one sole grind, the W design. Personally, I favor the S-grind, but it is not an option with this golf club.
The W-grind works on softer turf and prevents steep attack angles from digging the clubface into the turf. You’ll notice that this escalates your bounce off the grass and sand, enabling you to get under the ball for a high launch.
A gift and a curse of the Mack Daddy CB is its cavity back. On the one hand, it enhances forgiveness and stability to boost accuracy. On the other hand, it creates a chunky profile that is unattractive for many players.
Finally, I found that the Callaway Mack Daddy CB produced crisp turf interaction to help my club glide through the turf and connect the ball low for a high shot.
Another affordable lob wedge that performs for high handicappers is the Hot Launch E522. After knocking it around, I was convinced that there was no better forgiving, high-spinning, affordable lob wedge for beginners.
I will start with my thoughts about the sole, and while it is an eye sore, the wider design reduces turf friction by 35%, to ensure a clean strike from any lie. The next feature you’ll notice is the Super Deep Undercut Cavity, which lowers the center of gravity (CG) for consistent high launches and spin.
I also noticed that the extra large clubface amplified moment of inertia (MOI) to keep your clubface square to the target at impact. This setup helps you produce accurate shots and fewer duffs.
Besides its forgiving nature, the Hot Launch E522 contains spin-propelling maximized grooves across the entire clubface. You’ll find that this feature maintains your spin rate on all strikes, even on heel and toe mishits.
High handicappers still building their set should read our guide on what wedges a beginner should carry. This will give you a better idea of what to look out for and how to approach your wedge setup.
Forgiveness, accuracy, soft feel, and optimal spin are the features gifted to you by the CBX2. Its overall performance was sufficient to top our category for mid-handicappers.
Kicking off with forgiveness, Cleveland employed a Hollow Cavity Design with perimeter weighting to increase stability and MOI. You’ll find that a stable, square clubhead at impact helps you maintain spin and deliver straighter shots.
The protagonist in the CBX2 is the 4th Generation Rotex Face Tech, which crafts Cleveland’s sharpest tour zip grooves. This construction enables the cover of your golf ball to bite into the sharp grooves and generate ample spin on 60-degree wedge shots.
Furthermore, I noticed that the Enhanced Feel Balancing Technology helps the wedge produce toe bias CG to fight misses to the right. That means you will enjoy straighter shots and less wayward results.
Lastly, the engineers improved the feel of the CBX2 to ensure a soft hold and maximum control on all lob wedge shots.
The Titleist and Vokey partnership has had a successful run for 26 years, and their latest model, the SM9, shows they are not slowing down. Thanks to its durability, elevated spin, controlled ball flight, and abundance of sole grind options.
The Vokey stable offers the 60-degree SM9 in five grind profiles, ensuring they cover every golfer’s needs. You’ll find that the M-grind is the most versatile choice as it performs on a range of turf conditions, but it especially helps golfers with a sweeping swing.
Alternatively, you have the D-grind. This high bounce construction is designed to help the face connect with the low point of your ball for a towering launch.
Moving on from grooves, I noticed that the forward CG in this wedge prompted a controlled launch to prevent ballooned shots. The lower-than-usual launch is supported by Heat Treated grooves crafted to increase friction at contact for optimal spin levels. Plus, the heat treatment enhances the durability of the grooves for greater longevity.
They may be the new kids on the blocks in respect to this list, but age is irrelevant. The performance, affordability, and consistency of PXG golf clubs continue to impress me. The latest is the V2 0311 60-degree wedge, which also claims the prize for the most versatile lob wedge.
PXG felt that numerous sole grind options confused the average golfer, who only desired more spin for drop and stop control. So, they did something about it and created the V2 0311 with a single sole design to perform exceptionally in all conditions. Plus, it works for varying ground conditions and attack angles and encourages improved turf interaction for clean strikes.
In addition to its versatile sole, you’ll find that it is equipped with CNC Milled grooves that enhance friction between the clubface and the ball. You will notice that this creates increased spin and helps you get your ball high to produce a soft landing.
Lastly, I enjoyed the soft feel of the PXG V2 0311, as it increased my feedback to produce a consistent strike. The 8620 Carbon Steel creates a tight grain structure for a purer feel and a pleasant greenside experience.
The RTX Zipcore is the second Cleveland wedge on our list this year, bagging the title of our most durable loft wedge. On top of its durability, I was swayed by its exceptional shot-stopping power, high MOI, and varied sole grind options.
Cleveland’s engineers restructured the 8620 carbon steel crystalline grain for better uniformity. You’ll find that the structure increases the longevity of your clubface and grooves to improve its value for money. Finally, Cleveland completed the process by blasting the face with heat for added strength.
Despite its impressive durability, the Ultizip grooves are the star performer in this wedge. I noticed that the grooves were sharp, deep, and narrow to help your golf ball cover bite into them at contact. Plus, they are positioned closer together for elevated friction on each shot. This leads to ample spin and shot-stopping power.
Furthermore, I found that the Zipcore technology shifted the CG and enhanced the MOI for high launch and accuracy.
Lastly, you’ll notice that the Cleveland RTX Zipcore is available in 3 grind options, covering all bases. Players with a shallow to neutral angle of attack demanding less bounce are built for the low bounce grind. Conversely, the mid or full sole grind is the way to go if you produce a neutral to steep attack angle.
Overall, the RTX Zipcore is a forgiving, durable lob wedge that generates elevated levels of spin and consistency. As a result, it is a suitable wedge for mid-handicap golfers.
Crisp turf interaction is vital for a wedge to strike the golf ball in the intended area for optimal launch and spin. The TaylorMade Milled Grind Hi-Toe is our top pick for this category because it exceeded exceptional turf interaction and delivered lower launch, higher spin, and workability.
The clean turf interaction stems from the high bounce leading edge, which propels the clubhead to glide through all grass and catch the ball cleanly. Turf interaction is further aided by three sole grind choices that suit varying styles of play.
The low bounce grind is ideal for golfers with a shallow swing or firm turf conditions, while the standard option is more versatile. Your final choice is a high bounce wedge built for those who take large, juicy divots or super soft course conditions.
I appreciated the ZTP Raw groove design as the sharp, narrow, and deep grooves seriously gripped the cover of my ball at contact. The level of friction created ample spin to help the ball stop rapidly upon landing.
In addition, I found that the profile of the Hi-Toe raised the CG to deliver a lower flight and greater spin and control. Finally, the full-face scoring lines across the wedge promote consistent contact to maintain spin on all strikes.
Naturally, this list is about lob wedges, and all these options produce fair quantities of spin. However, one is superior to the others in this regard, and the club in question is the Cobra Snake Bite Black wedge. I was impressed with the innovation of the grooves, its rampant spin, and sole grind options.
Starting with spin, Cobra employed their Snakebite Groove Technology to tighten tolerance and boost spin rate. You’ll notice that spin is assisted by the presence of Progressive Face Grooves that provide the optimal launch, control, and spin around the putting surface.
Furthermore, I produced clean turf interaction, and the wedge glided through rough to help me strike my ball cleanly. You will see that Cobra offers the Snake Bite wedge in three grinds, which suit different angles of attack.
The average golfer should perform well with a versatile grind that suits medium to firm turf and all attack angles. Plus, the versatile grind construction enhances forgiveness, making it a suitable option for mid-handicappers. On the contrary, players with a neutral to steep attack should opt for a classic or widelow grind.
Finally, the wedge is equipped with a Cobra Connect grip, which tracks data on every shot to help you analyze your lob wedge strikes. Reviewing this information can help you identify which strikes deliver the best shot-stopping power, apex, and dispersion rate.
A soft feeling and ample feedback are essential for consistent short game results. The feedback provided to the golfer helps you better judge the distance on each strike. During my test, I found that the Ping Glide 4.0 is a superior performer in this sphere. Besides its soft and responsive feel, the club sports a compact shape, superb spin, and a controlled launch.
The engineers at Ping combined 8620 Steel with an Elastomer CTP insert to create a responsive, soft feel and enhance face contact by 36%. In addition, the construction of the club treats you to an attractive, compact shape.
Besides the exceptional feel of the Glide 4.0, the real stars are the Milled Grooves and Face Blast combo. These components raise the texture of the impact zone, which you will find boosts friction and enhances spin. I also noticed that the lob produced a lower launch for superior control.
Furthermore, Ping constructs the Glide 4.0 with 4 sole grind options. I recommend sticking with the S or W-grind because they work for a broader range of players. However, if you are not ready to sacrifice forgiveness, the W-grind will offer mercy.
The best lob wedge degree is 60 because it is easier to produce controlled shots over the higher lofted wedges. A 02 or 62-degree lob wedge can complicate the average golfer since it can cause ballooned strikes and loss of spin and distance control.
Durable, sharp, deep, and narrow grooves, paired with exceptional turf interaction and rampant spin, are the qualities that make a good lob wedge.
No, high handicappers do not need a lob wedge, but if you can handle it, you will appreciate the extra dimension it adds to your short game. However, the remaining high handicappers should stick to the standard pitching and sand wedge before you tackle the higher lofted, compact lob wedge. You’ll find that your ball striking and swing mechanics are not at a level where you can produce a consistent strike.
As a golfer with an average swing speed, I hit a lob wedge an average of 87 yards on a clear day. That should give you some context on how far you should be hitting it. If you swing a driver under 83 mph, you may send a lob wedge less than 75 yards.
Conversely, faster swinging golfers can expect to exceed 95 yards when they play a lob wedge.
If you have been looking for a way to increase the height and spin of your greenside shots, you have the answer. A loft wedge helps you get under the ball at contact to produce sufficient launch and rampant spin for greater shot-stopping power.
The elevated flight of a lob wedge can help you clear hazards and obstacles and land your ball close to the cup when you have limited green to work with. Overall, it is a handy wedge that adds a different dimension to your shot selection and is worth considering for mid and low handicappers.
Golfers on a budget in 2022 should consider the Callaway Mack Daddy CB lob wedge for its forgiveness, turf interaction, and escalated spin. In addition, the Tour Edge E522 is an affordable, forgiving, and consistent spinning wedge created for high handicappers.
Overall, when push came to shove, the Callaway Mack Daddy 5 Jaws topped the charts as the best overall lob wedge. Its robust sole grind offering, soft feel, and enhanced friction made it the top performer in 2022.
Matt is a seasoned golf equipment writer and sports fanatic. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for over 28 years.