When it comes to selecting a wedge, professional golfers often opt for top models that provide superior performance and versatility. Each brand has unique features and benefits catering to different golfing styles and preferences. Our study proves Titleist and Callaway wedges are popular among pro golfers. Their exceptional performance and design offer the precision and versatility that golfers of all levels crave on the course.
We’ve taken a deep dive into the choices of the top 100 PGA Tour players in 2022 to bring you the Ultimate Study on What Golf Clubs Pro Golfers Use. So in 2023, if you want to add a wedge to your bag, take a cue from this article and choose the best golf wedge that suits your game.
Table of Content
How Many Wedges Do Pros Carry?
Professional golfers typically carry between two and four wedges in their bags. We found more than 90% of top tour golfers carried at least 2 golf wedges. A lob wedge is very common in their bags. And the next most common type of wedge is the sand wedge.
The number of wedges a pro carries depends on their playing style, the course conditions, and personal preference. Some prefer to carry multiple wedges with different lofts, while others opt for just one or two versatile wedges. Let’s look at the brands of wedges we found in our study.
Most used wedges brand
Most pro golfers preferred Titleist golf wedges over any other brands in 2022. More than 40% of top golfers used Titleist Wedges. Callaway was the second with 18% of users, and PING had 17%.
While all brands offer high-quality wedges, the overwhelming preference for Titleist Vokey wedges in 2022 is for Titleist Vokey wedges. Callaway, the closest competitor, achieved double-digit performance with their range of options, excellent spin control, and long-lasting durability.
| Wedge Brands | Player Using Them |
|---|---|
| Titleist | Adam Scott, Jordan Spieth, Scott Stallings, Thomas Pieters, Aaron Wise, Adrian Meronk, Anirban Lahiri, Billy Horschel, Brian Harman, Cam Davis, Cameron Smith, Cameron Young, Chris Kirk, Daniel Berger, Davis Riley, Denny McCarthy, J.T. Poston, Justin Rose, Justin Thomas, K.H. Lee, Keith Mitchell, Kevin Kisner, Lucas Glover, Luke List, Matt Fitzpatrick, Matt Jones, Max Homa, Patrick Cantlay, Paul Casey, Russell Henley, Sam Horsfield, Scottie Scheffler, Sungjae Im, Tom Hoge, Tom Kim, Troy Merritt, Webb Simpson, Will Zalatoris |
| Ping | Corey Conners, Harris English, Lee Westwood, Louis Oosthuizen, Mito Pereira, Tony Finau, Tyrrell Hatton, Bubba Watson, Harold Varner III, Joaquin Niemann, Mackenzie Hughes, Sahith Theegala, Seamus Power, Sebastián Muñoz, Thriston Lawrence, Viktor Hovland |
| Callaway | Xander Schauffele, Jon Rahm, Adam Hadwin, Adri Arnaus, Kevin Na, Pablo Larrazabal, Alex Noren, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Emiliano Grillo, Erik van Rooyen, Marc Leishman, Maverick McNealy, Min Woo Lee, Sam Burns, Talor Gooch |
| TaylorMade | Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Collin Morikawa, Kurt Kitayama, Lucas Herbert, Richard Bland, Sergio Garcia |
| Cleveland | Brooks Koepka, Ryan Fox, Dean Burmester, Hideki Matsuyama, J.J. Spaun, Keegan Bradley, Sepp Straka, Shane Lowry |
| Bridgestone | Kazuki Higa, Matt Kuchar |
| Artisan | Bryson DeChambeau |
| Grindworks | Patrick Reed |
| MIURA | Abraham Ancer |
| Wilson | Gary Woodland |
| PXG | Jason Kokrak |
Titleist
Titleist Vokey wedges are among the most popular and respected models on the market. The brand offers a range of lofts, bounces, and grinds to allow golfers to fine-tune their shots based on course conditions. The Spin Milled grooves on the wedges provide excellent spin control, making them an excellent choice for players who rely heavily on their short game. With their high-quality materials and construction, Titleist Vokey wedges are known for their performance and durability.
Callaway
Callaway is another brand that offers a wide range of wedges to suit different playing styles. The Mack Daddy line is trendy, thanks to its unique groove-in-groove technology that provides extra spin and control on shots around the green. However, some golfers have noted that the softer metal used in Callaway wedges may wear down faster than other brands. This means that they may need to be replaced more frequently, which could be a consideration for professional golfers who rely heavily on their equipment.
PING
On the other hand, PING wedges are often praised for their forgiveness. The wider sole and more perimeter weighting of the Glide line provide greater consistency on shots, even for golfers who struggle with their short game. The proprietary groove design ensures consistent spin and control, making PING wedges an excellent choice for golfers who need help with their short game. However, the wider sole may make it more difficult to hit certain shots, particularly from tight lies.
What Degree Wedges Do Pros Use?
The most common degrees of wedges pros use are 52, 56, and 60 degrees. That’s more of a gap, sand, and lob wedge. However, many pros also carry wedges with lofts ranging from 46 to 64 degrees to give them more options, like a pitching wedge and added lob wedge on the course.
Wedges with varying lofts and bounces allow golfers to adjust to different shots and course conditions, increasing their versatility. It also helps improve their scoring, as they can get closer to the pin on approach shots and have more control over their short game.
Carrying multiple wedges also portrays a professional image, showing that the golfer is prepared for any situation and takes their game seriously. Investing in high-quality wedges and practicing with them regularly can help golfers improve their game and succeed tremendously.
What Bounce Wedges Do the Pros Use?
According to our analysis, pros use the most common bounce angles between 8 and 14 degrees, with some players opting for higher bounce angles to suit soft or wet conditions and others preferring lower bounce angles for firmer turf.
The angle between the leading edge of the clubface and the sole is called the bounce of a wedge. It influences how the club interacts with the ground. The bounce angle of wedges pros use varies widely depending on the course conditions and the shot they need to make.
How Often do Professional Golfers Change Golf Wedges?
Wedges are one of a kind that pro golfers hardly change often. Our study shows that top golfers change their wedge models or brands once in 4-5 years. Our research also illustrates that less than 5% of golfers change their wedges regularly.
So, it can be very beneficial for golf club manufacturers to make their mark on golfers’ minds with their top-quality golf wedges. Let’s find out which brand models are favorites of the top 100 golfers.
Conclusion
Professional golfers, in particular, understand the importance of having a range of wedges in their golf bags to maximize their versatility and improve their scoring. In 2022, Titleist Vokey wedges emerged as the clear favorite among professional golfers, with over 40% of the top players using them on the course.
We analyzed each brand and possible reasons for the remarkable success of Titleist. If you find this beneficial, share it with your golf friends. Also, let us know if you want to learn more from us.
