Best Golf Wedges For Spin 2023

The better you get at golf, the more that spin matters. Wedges that don’t spin well make bunker shots, pitches, and chip shots considerably harder.

When I was teaching golf consistently, so many players were concerned about not being able to spin the golf ball well. I looked at a lot of different swing flaws that may cause a lack of spin, but one of the major factors included technology in the golf clubs. Here we dive into the best golf wedges for spin.

The best golf wedges for spin are:

• TaylorMade Milled Grind 3 (Best For Spin)
• Ping Glide 4.0 (Best in Wet Conditions)
• Titleist Vokey SM9 (Best Ball Control)
• Cleveland RTX Full Face (Best For Forgiveness)
• Honma Golf TW-W (Best Premium Feel)

TaylorMade Milled Grind 3 (MG3)

• Forgiveness 7/10
• Distance control 9/10
• Spin 10/10
• Value 8/10

The TaylorMade Milled Grind 3 easily wins the best overall wedge for spin. We weren’t the only ones to test out the best wedges for spin this year, and you will certainly see the TaylorMade Milled Grind 3 come up as a wedge that maximizes spin across the entire face. Whether you are a mid or low handicapper, wedges shots with the MG3 should do what you need them to.

Forgiveness, distance control & spin

The extra spin on the TaylorMade Milled Grind 3 allows you all the workability you need. It may not be the most forgiving wedge option on the market, but it certainly has technology designed specifically for wedges with tons of spin.

With the ZTP-17 Grooves and Raised Micro Ribs, the traction and connection between the face of the club and the golf ball are better than we see in other wedges on the market. The grooves are sharp, and on shorter shots, you can even visibly see the ball spinning backwards.

Another stand-out feature of the TaylorMade Milled Grind 3 is the distance control. The consistency of spin also results in a small dispersion of shots from 20 to 60 yards.

Technical info

The TaylorMade MG3 has loft options ranging from 46 to 60 degrees. Bounce options are low, standard, or high bounce. With the forgiveness being slightly lower in the MG3, a slightly higher bounce might be helpful if you stuggle with your strike.

Low Bounce: 56º, 58º, 60º

Standard Bounce: 46º,50º,52º,54º,56º, 58º, 60º

High Bounce: 52º, 54º, 56º, 58º, 60º

On course performance

One of the trends in short game technology and even player education has been for players to learn how to keep the ball a little lower but with lots of spin. The TaylorMade MG3 are some of the best wedges for backspin and a more controlled ball flight.

TaylorMade has done this for years; when you have a sand wedge in your hand, it doesn’t necessarily have to fly sky-high to get a nice one-hop and spin back on the green. In addition, the MG3 is versatile enough that if you want to open it up to get a higher lofted shot out of a bunker, you certainly can.

Golf Insider verdict

It’s pretty simple here; if you want more spin, the TaylorMade MG3 is the wedge to choose. Distance control, great feel, and low dispersion rates are just added bonuses with the MG3 in the bag.

Ping Glide 4.0

• Forgiveness 8/10
• Distance control 9/10
• Spin 9/10
• Value 7/10

Ping makes great-looking golf clubs. The Ping Glide 4.0 certainly stands out as one of the prettiest wedges on the market in 2023, but it’s got some other great performance as well. If you are looking for a new wedge with more spin and consistency, the Ping Glide 4.0 is a great option.

Forgiveness, distance control & spin

When we tested wedges in 2023, the Ping Glide 4.0 offered the most consistent spin performance and overall feel. The club is made with 8620 Carbon Steel, and it has the groove technology that you see in the premium blade irons from Ping.

One of the major standouts here is the Ping wedge performance out of the wet grass. With new groove technology, even when your grooves have water in them, you can still get the ball to stop and even spin on the greens.

Of course, this also impacts shots you may hit out of the rough. Wedge spin is considerably easier to get from a short fairway lie; these wedges that can incorporate spin regardless of the location of the ball are the real winners.

Technical info

The Ping Glide 4 comes in lofts from 46 up to 60 degrees. There are four different wedge grind options in the Ping Glide, the E, T, S, and W. This is a wedge designed for all players, from very low handicappers to high handicappers. The Ping Glide 4 has tour-level performance, but we see a lot of mid to low handicappers with this wedge in the bag.

• E Grind
• T Grind
• S Grind
• W Grind

The S Grind is the option that will fit most players; it’s like the standard choice for golfers. Whether you are looking to hit the wedge out of a bunker or the shorter grass, the S Grind gives some versatility and allows players to manipulate the face a bit.

With the T Grind, you will get precision from tight lights and better performance on full-swing shots. The W grind is a great tool if bunkers are the key area you wish to use this wedge from.

Ping is very serious about their online fitting tool that helps you choose the best wedge grind for your needs. In fact, Ping was one of the pioneers in the world of custom fitting many years ago. Of course, going to an in person custom wedge fitting is best, but online tools can also help make the decision easier.

On course performance

The Ping Glide 4.0 was one of our favorites to try on the course. We were a bit nervous that the performance wouldn’t match the clean look, but it certainly did. It doesn’t have quite as sharp of a look as the Vokey SM9 or the MG3, but that was not a problem, just a slight difference to note.

We played with a few different grind options and found that the mid-bounce wedges in the S Grind had the best mix of control and forgiveness. One thing that continually stood out when using the Ping wedges was the consistent soft yet firm feel.

Golf Insider verdict

Ping takes some time to develop new golf clubs, and then they keep the price high on them for quite some time. This won’t be a cheap wedge, but with the milled groove technology and the new Emery face blast, it’s hard to complain about the technology incorporated into this club.

Titleist Vokey SM9

• Forgiveness 7/10
• Distance Control 9/10
• Spin 10/10
• Value 8/10

Before we started researching and testing wedges to find the best ones for spin in 2023, we assumed the Titleist Vokey SM9 would win the top spot. Titleist has done a great job getting all players to think the same exact thing about their product.

Although the Titleist Vokey SM9 is certainly one of the best wedges this year, the spin was not quite as noticeably good as it was with the MG3 when testing across a range of shots. However, it was still incredible. The SM9 incorporated impressive trajectory control good enough for the golfers on the PGA Tour. With more and more great wedges coming to the market, it’s been interesting to see how Vokey navigates these changes.

Forgiveness, Distance, Control, and Spin

From a forgiveness standpoint, the Vokey is not the most forgiving. In fact, you will have to be confident in your ability to hit the center of the clubface when using a wedge like this. With the Vokey SM9 being our favorite golf wedge for control, don’t expect to get too much leeway when you miss the center of the face.

However, when it comes to learning how to dial in the 30, 40, and 50 yard shots, this is the club you want in your hands. Whether you have the sand wedge, lob wedge, or gap wedge, the distance control capabilities are impressive.

In addition to distance control, the new SM9 offers a lower overall ball flight, with no reduction in spin rates on longer pitch and wedge shots. Don’t bring the wind into play. Simply keep your shot lower and still benefit from it, stopping where you need it to.

With the new forward center of gravity, golfers will find a more solid feel at impact, one that is repeatable. Vokey changes their wedges from year to year, and the slightly deeper grooves in the SM9 will stand out. If you have some of the SM6 or SM7 wedges, you will likely notice more spin with the SM9.

Technical Info

The Vokey SM9 has 23 different models to choose from. Hopefully, they don’t add any more, as it takes plenty of time just to sort out these 23!

The good news here is that most golfers don’t need to worry quite so much about all of these different combinations. The first thing to consider is the loft. Loft in the Vokey wedges ranges from 46 to 62 degrees. In addition, there are 6 different grind options. Depending on the loft and grind option you choose, you will also notice there are bounce factors that come into play.

Keep in mind that with Vokey SM9 being the most well-known wedge in the game of golf, you can have four of these in your bag, and they will blend together quite impressively.

Here are some basic facts on each of the different grind options. For some golfers finding the perfect grind option is overwhelming; if that is the case, look for one of the more all-purpose grinds like the F grind. When putting your entire set of wedges together, it’s a good idea to get a few different grind options to vary your performance on the course.

On Course Performance

Vokey wedges perform well on the golf course. Let’s face it a good portion of PGA Professionals have these in their bag, and they wouldn’t stay if the on-course performance was an issue.

What we like the best about the Vokey wedges is the way you can get to know them over time. The more time spent with this club in your bag, the better you get to know it, and the better the overall performance. Feeling like you and your wedge are good friends is a welcome feeling on any golf course.

Performance out of the wet grass is good, but we found it to be better with the Ping. Approach shots from 125 yards and in are also impressive with the Vokey SM9; this doesn’t have to be used only for short shots, but the level of spin and control from this range really stands out.

Golf Insider Verdict

Performance from Vokey is always solid; Titleist will probably never put about a Vokey wedge that has some kind of a design flaw. With so many clubs on the market now requiring custom fitting, this is one you can put in your bag and have a lot of confidence that it will work right from day one. If control and spin is your goal, the Vokey should be in your hands.

Cleveland RTX Full Face

• Forgiveness 9/10
• Distance control 7/10
• Spin 8/10
• Value 10/10

Most players that want more spin on their wedge shots are more concerned with accuracy and control than forgiveness. However, forgiveness is an important feature in any wedge. Let’s face it, we all hit bad shots, and having a club that supports you when this happens makes the game more enjoyable. The Cleveland RTX Full Face is a great option that features Zipcore technology and the UltiZip grooves to give golfers more versatility and control in their short game.

Forgiveness, distance control & spin

The Cleveland RTX Full Face is a unique high-toe profile wedge with so much versatility in the club head. Golfers can open the clubface completely and know they will still make contact with the impressive Utilizip grooves.

The Cleveland Full Face wedges are the most forgiving of any of the best golf wedges for spin. They allow for off-center strikes because of the perfect position center of gravity. For mid to higher-handicap players, this is a smart selection to consider.

Our favorite feature of the RTX Full Face is the way that they made this club look like a clean tour style wedge while also offering some of the best forgiveness.

A new heat treatment is in place to ensure your grooves stay in great shape, and you can practice your short game all you want without worrying about the condition. If you like to spend a lot of time working on and around the greens, this is a wedge that will hold up.

Technical info

With the Zipcore in place, we know that the center of gravity is perfectly positioned, and getting this ball out of any kind of predicament on the golf course is not a problem.

The one limitation with the RTX Full Face is that there is only one grind option. This is the C grind which stands for the “clutch grind.” In other words, this is the club you will go to when you need it the most.

If you are overwhelmed by the options that Vokey gives you for loft and grind, the RTX will make things a little easier. This is more of a simple decision, and keep in mind that one of these full face wedges in the bag may be all that you need. Throw in a few others in the Zipcore line to round out your performance on the course.

The lofts on the RTX Full Face making it a good choice for gap wedge, sand wedge, and lob wedge.

• 50º
• 52º
• 54º
• 56º
• 58º
• 60º
• 64º

On course performance

Forgiveness is not an issue with the RTX Full Face; it is noticeably different when hitting shots with this club compared to the Titleist Vokey or TaylorMade MG3. The Full face grooves make it easy to ensure your hitting surface produces a ton of spin. In addition, thin shots and fat shots are less likely with this hi-toe wedge in place.

If you struggle to hit the sweet spot and want something that performs more like cavity back wedges, this would be the best choice.

In addition, from a bunker, the RTX Full Face has great spin and control, especially in the higher lofts. Consistency is a great feature of any golf club used in the short game, and the RTX Full Face offers plenty of it.

Golf Insider Verdict

When it comes to versatile wedges, the Cleveland Full Face wedges will produce maximum spin across the entire face. With the impressive Utilizip grooves, even flop shots become second nature. (Remember to save those flop shots for a special occasion!)

Honma Golf TW/W21

• Forgiveness 7/10
• Distance control 8/10
• Spin 9/10
• Value 8/10

Although the big names in golf always produce some of the best equipment with the highest spinning wedges, we like to check out the up-and-coming brands as well. Honma has been around a while, and they greater some very high-end wedges designed for golfers that want a premium feel and impressive micro grooves. The Honma GOlf TW/W impressed us with its high spin capabilities and soft feel.

Forgiveness, distance control, spin

The ability to create spin when hitting a golf shot has little to do with your physical ability, the golf ball, and of course, the golf club. However, when hitting a wedge shot, the most important feature of the club is the grooves. The ability of those grooves to generate spin will greatly impact your performance on the course.

With the Honma T World W-21 wedges, you benefit from a Nickel Chrome finish on the face that allows for a better look and even more wedge spin. These are CNC-milled wedges with very clean leading edges. The club is designed for the better player looking for a more controlled ball flight.

Technical Info

Depending on the loft of the wedge you are purchasing, the blade design of the Honma may vary. In the 48/10, 50/10, 52/10, and 54/10 (loft/bounce), you will get a flat blade design for distance control on the longer shots into the green. This is a great choice for gap wedges and pitching wedges.

In the 54/12 and the 56, 58, and 60-degree wedges, the higher center of gravity will certainly help to improve overall forgiveness and great incredibly high spinning shots around the greens.

On Course Performance

The CNC milling pattern on the Honma T World W-21 wedges is one of the more advanced in the industry. The groove’s edges are very sharp, and they stay in great shape year after year. You will notice a very premium feel with these wedges and more spin around the greens.

The only troublesome golfers have with something like the Honma T World is the ability to try it before purchasing. It’s hard to find as much stock in these, but if you have been through some of the other standard options on the market and are not satisfied by what you are seeing, this could be a great alternative.

Golf Insider Verdict

For the golfer that likes to try something different but wants to ensure maximum spin, give the Honma T Wolrd W21 wedges a try. The groove edges are impressive, the leading edge is clean, and the CNC-milled grooves are some of the best in the industry. Don’t be afraid to branch out a bit with wedge selection this year; companies like Honma know what they are doing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions about golf wedges and their spin and groove technology. Remember that spin is a major deciding factor in choosing a wedge, and it will have a big impact on your course performance.

Which wedge creates the most spin?

The wedge we found to create the most spin on the golf course is the TaylorMade MG3. The ZTP 17 Grooves and Raised Micro Rib technology greatly improved overall control and accuracy around the greens.

What wedge loft gets the most spin?

A 60º or higher lofted wedge will create the most spin. If all else stays equal, higher lofted wedges equal more spin, up to ~80º of loft.

Do new wedges help with spin?

Yes, new wedges increase the grip/friction with the golf ball and generate the most spin. Older golf wedges tend to lose a bit of the sharpness in their grooves, making it harder to get the control you need.

Final Thoughts

The best wedges for spin in 2023 are also some of the best wedges for distance control and feel. The wedge technology continues to get better and better. TaylorMade MG3 and the Vokey SM 9s are both at the top of spin testing for most conditions, but don’t discount the Ping Glide wedges if you tend to play in wet conditions and out of think rough.

Happy golfing.