Perfect Your Bunker Play: Our Top 7 Best Sand Wedges

We are thrilled to share our thoughts on the Titleist Vokey SM8 sand wedge. Known for being the best sand wedge you can own and the most popular on Tour, the Vokey SM8 takes what was already a top-notch club to new heights. With three key improvements, the SM8 sets the standard for sand wedges.

First, the center of gravity has been moved forward, which allows for a cleaner and more accurate swing, resulting in improved backspin, flight paths, and consistency. The Spin Milled grooves are precisely cut for maximum spin, and the heat-treated sweet spot adds extreme durability.

With six different grinds, the Vokey line offers options for every golfer, and four are available on 54-56 degree sand wedge lofts: M-Grind, F-Grind, S-Grind, and D-Grind. The L-Grind and K-Grind are also available, offering specialized features for firm conditions and improved bunker play.

If you're a fan of Vokey wedges, the results of the SM8 speak for themselves. And if you haven't tried them yet, be prepared to experience the awe-inspiring friction and spin generated by the SM8's grooves. Get ready to hone your short game and be the envy of your golf buddies.

The TaylorMade Milled Grind 2 is the upgraded version of their original Milled Grind released in 2017. We were impressed with the improved ZTP RAW grooves that feature additional laser etching between each groove for a rough, raw-face finish. This not only reduces skid but also increases spin and improves control, although not to the extent of other sand wedges on the market.

If you're looking to maximize spin rates, the TaylorMade Milled Grind 2 is definitely a sand wedge worth considering. The deep and pronounced ZTP RAW grooves make the club face stand out from others and the sharpness of the grooves might even leave some scuff marks on your golf ball. However, while the laser etching is advanced, it still falls short in generating elite spin rates compared to models like the Callaway JAWS MD5 or Titleist Vokey SM8.

In comparison to the original Milled Grind, the MG2 also boasts a thicker face of 6.5mm, with a TPU insert to redistribute weight and dampen vibrations for improved feel. This is a notable upgrade from the 5.1mm face on the MG1.

TaylorMade offers the MG2 in a variety of loft and bounce angles with three different grinds, ensuring that there's a sand wedge that suits all playing surfaces and styles of play. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or a beginner, the Milled Grind 2 has something to offer.

As golf enthusiasts, we're always on the lookout for ways to improve our game. And while using the same sand wedge as a 15-time major champion like Tiger Woods won't guarantee a lower handicap, the TaylorMade MG2 Tiger Woods edition is certainly worth considering. This wedge boasts the same design improvements as the standard MG2, with the added bonus of having the exact sole and grind setup that Tiger uses.

Tiger himself has praised the grinds of the MG2 Tiger Woods wedge, calling them "truly unique and complex, designed to perfectly fit [his] playing style." In addition to having the same loft, bounce, and sole as the standard MG2, the MG2 Tiger Woods edition features a corded Tour Velvet Grip and a Dynamic Golf S400 shaft made from 8620 carbon steel - the same as Tiger's. It's worth noting that the stock S400 shaft is stiffer than the True Temper Dynamic Gold S200 that comes standard on all other TaylorMade MG2 wedges.

The 56.12 dual-sole grind of the MG2 Tiger Woods wedge makes it both versatile and forgiving for all sorts of approach shots. It's valuable for both amateur golfers and PGA tour champions. If you're looking for a lob wedge, TaylorMade also makes an MG2 Tiger Woods Edition 60.11 wedge, which you can read about on our "Best Lob Wedges" roundup.

While there's no guarantee that using the same sand wedge as Tiger will improve your game, there's a reason these are the specifications he uses. And with the added bonus of having the same grip and shaft, the MG2 Tiger Woods edition might just be the perfect fit for your game too!

As golfers, we all know the importance of a good sand wedge. And when it comes to sand wedges, the Callaway Mack Daddy 5 (MD5) is a top-notch option. With Callaway's JAWS groove design, the MD5 boasts to have "the most aggressive groove in golf to take spin and control to the next level."

The JAWS groove design is what sets the MD5 apart from the rest. These grooves are almost like grooves inside of grooves, with four small, lengthwise ridges between every major groove for excellent surface roughness and minimal slip. This means that when you hit the ball, you'll generate more backspin with superior control, landing approach shots that bite on impact and stick where you want them to.

But that's not all. The MD5 also comes in five different sole grinds, making it versatile for all types of playing conditions. Whether you're looking for a wedge with increased heel and toe relief, a medium-width sole, or a wider center and toe area, there's a Mack Daddy wedge with your name on it. The C-Grind, S-Grind, and standard W-Grind are available in 54-56 degree sand wedge lofts, and each has its own unique features to suit your playing style.

In conclusion, if you're in the market for a new sand wedge, the Callaway Mack Daddy 5 should definitely be on your shortlist. With its aggressive JAWS groove design and versatile sole grinds, you'll be able to glide over any surface and add just the right amount of spin to your shots. And with its reputation as the "Mack Daddy of Callaway's line of wedges," you can be sure that you're getting a top-performing club.

As golf enthusiasts, we know that every shot counts, especially when it comes to short game. That's why we're thrilled about the Callaway PM Grind, a wedge created in partnership with Phil Mickelson. With its JAWS groove system, this wedge was designed to help golfers master knockdowns, short pitch shots, and flop shots with ease. The grooves have been offset by 20 degrees, resulting in a lab-tested 15-degree increase in backspin, making the shots more precise and effective.

The PM Grind is not just for lefties, even right-handed golfers can feel like they're playing like Lefty with this wedge. The updated PM Grind has a C-grind sole that offers more shot-making versatility, while still retaining the aggressive sole radius that makes it rounder than most wedges.

Callaway offers the PM Grind in sand and lob wedge lofts, while TaylorMade's similar model, the Milled Grind 2, is also available in gap wedge lofts. Although the narrower loft options might not be ideal for full-shot performance, the PM Grind is specially designed for clever shots around the green, and it excels in that area. If you want to improve your short game, the Callaway PM Grind is definitely worth checking out.

The Callaway Sure Out 2 is a sand wedge that's all about making bunker shots easy. They've increased the sole radius and added heel relief, and now offer 56 and 60-degree lofts in addition to the original 58 and 64-degree options. Our focus here is on the 56-degree sand wedge.

The Sure Out 2 is designed to help golfers of any level easily get out of bunkers. It features 17 full-face grooves to ensure you always catch an edge, and a wide, rounded sole with plenty of heel relief and bounce for maximum forgiveness. The Lambkin grip also features three markings to help you find the right shot and control your distance.

While the Sure Out 2 may lack versatility, it's not surprising given its specific purpose. The pronounced camber on the sole can make it difficult to open up without skulling the ball, and full swings can result in loss of feel and accuracy.

However, the Sure Out 2 was not designed for those things. It's meant specifically to help you escape bunkers and get onto the green. If you're often in the sand, the Sure Out 2 is a great choice for you.

As golfers looking to improve our short game, we were intrigued by the PING Glide 3.0. Redesigned to be lighter and more forgiving, this wedge offers a variety of lofts, grinds, and shaft options, all with a traditional PING design. The Eye2 grind, available in the 54.10 and 56.10 sand wedges, is particularly noteworthy, with its rounded leading edge and high toe.

In addition to the Eye2, PING also offers standard and wide-sole grinds, both with good heel relief. The wide-sole grind is particularly forgiving, perfect for those with steep swings or playing on soft surfaces. PING also has a thin sole (TS) option, which is available in their 58.06 and 60.06 lob wedges.

The PING Glide 3.0 is available with a range of shaft options, from soft regular to extra stiff, with weights ranging from 65-124 g and launch angles from low-mid to high. What stands out the most about this wedge is its lightweight feel, with a D3 swingweight that feels noticeably lighter than other D4 and D5 sand wedges on the market.

If you're looking for a lighter club that gives you more control, the PING Glide 3.0 is the perfect sand wedge for you. Say goodbye to hacking around the greens and hello to a more confident short game.