As the leader of the Golf Instructor team here at Tell Me More Golf, I’m going to help you research the Best Wedge Shafts from our golf equipment reviews.
Our editorial guidelines feature these 4 criteria when recommending wedge shafts:
- Spin
- Control
- Feel
- Forgiveness
#1. True Temper Dynamic Gold S400 Wedge Shaft – Our Top Pick
Wedges are the clubs whose specs perhaps matter the most to optimize your game. The same goes for their shafts, and to find the best shafts for wedges, our review team focused on spin, control, feel, and forgiveness.
Benefits:
The True Temper Dynamic Gold S400 Wedge Shaft is our top pick, and is also one of the most popular wedge shafts available. The spin rates we experienced were excellent, and there was a great balance between a high trajectory and control, making this shaft very usable for everyday golfers, while also stopping quickly on the greens. Other than that, the feel was smooth and responsive, and the forgiveness was great.
During some very short chips, the shaft felt slightly stiff, which you might have to get used to. However, if that’s not something you like, consider going for a softer graphite option.
#2. Fujikura MCI 105 Wedge Graphite Shaft – Best Graphite Wedge Shaft
Graphite wedge shafts, like all other graphite shafts, typically offer a softer and more forgiving experience.
When looking for the best graphite wedge shafts, our criteria were exactly the same, but with an emphasis on feel and forgiveness.
The Benefits:
During our tests, the Fujikura MCI 105 Wedge Graphite Shaft was the best performing graphite wedge shaft. Wedges with graphite shafts are more forgiving, lighter, and softer to hit than their steel counterparts, which was certainly the case with this Fujikura one. The spin and control were also very impressive, especially for a graphite shaft which sometimes lacks in this area.
Because this is a graphite shaft, high swing speed golfers may find it a little wobbly on full-speed shots, but that won’t be an issue for most beginners and intermediates.
#3. KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 Wedge Shaft – For High-Level Players
Low handicap golfers will often have higher swing speeds, meaning they can benefit from more challenging and rewarding wedge shafts, like the KBS Hi-Rev 2.0.
The Benefits:
The KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 Wedge Shaft is targeted at higher-level golfers and delivers outstanding spin and control. This is true for full shots, pitches, and shorter chips. The relatively stiff steel shaft allows for a lot of shaping, which can be very handy around the greens. The feel is on the firmer side, but faster swing speeds will really enjoy the stability on full shots.
This shaft is less forgiving than the others on this list, but that’s to be expected from shafts made for better players.
SUBSCRIBE for FREE GOLF TIPS from our EXPERT INSTRUCTORS!
#4. Project X Rifle Flighted Wedge Shaft
Spin is undoubtedly one of the most critical parts of a good wedge, and the shaft plays a significant role in delivering high spin rates. To find the wedge shafts with the most spin, we hit multiple shots outdoors using a SkyTrak and averaged out the results.
The Benefits:
Project X is perhaps the most popular shaft brand, and with the Rifle Flighted they’ve created a wedge shaft with a great combination of spin, forgiveness, and control. It’s a steel shaft, but it still feels soft and responsive around the greens. The spin numbers were excellent on both chips and full shots, and despite being forgiving, it felt solid on full swings, making you more comfortable when hitting into greens.
The design of the shaft is sleek, but also quite generic. The shaft also didn’t really feel special in any way, but it provided an all-around good performance.
#5. True Temper Dynamic Gold Black Onyx Wedge Shaft
The right design and feel of a shaft can improve your wedge game significantly, since it increases your confidence which is crucial for good wedge shots.
The Benefits:
The True Temper Dynamic Gold Black Onyx Wedge Shaft uses the same technology as the number one pick on this list, but comes in a stylish black and gold color combination which really stands out. Like the regular S400, this shaft has fantastic control, spin rates, and forgiveness. The different material used on the Black Onyx also comes with a slightly softer feel, which we enjoyed.
The darker color isn’t for everyone though, as it requires being taken care of to avoid damage. If you don’t wipe down your clubs frequently or leave them out in the sun, we recommend going for the standard steel option instead.
What Makes the Best Wedge Shafts? – Our Buyer’s Guide
The Key Traits of the Best Wedge Shafts
- Spin
A great golf wedge shaft needs to generate high spin. This is especially the case on short shots around the green, where the golf ball needs to stop quickly once it lands. Higher spin rates can help the ball bite into the grass and stop, rather than rolling out or bouncing away far from the flag. The right golf shaft on your wedge therefore significantly improves your short game.
- Control
Another critical trait of a great golf wedge shaft is control. A golfer should be able to hit the ball with a consistent distance and ball flight, even on poorer strikes. A shaft with good control will typically have a more stable and predictable feel, allowing you to confidently execute your shots knowing where they’ll land and stop.
- Feel
The feel of the wedge shaft is an important consideration, as it can greatly impact your confidence and delicate touch around the greens. A softer, more responsive shaft often provides great feedback on the strike’s quality, helping you adjust your swing when needed. On the other hand, a heavier shaft with a stiffer, less forgiving feel may be more difficult to control and provide less feedback. However, this is mainly the case for beginning golfers.
- Forgiveness
Forgiveness is crucial in a wedge and its shaft, since there will be times when you don’t strike the ball properly. On off-center hits, you should still experience a relatively similar ball flight and distance. A shaft with great forgiveness can be more flexible or have a higher balance point, improving the stability of the clubhead and reducing the severity of miss-hits. Different shafts use different technologies to create increased forgiveness.
How to Choose the Best Wedge Shaft for You
There are many factors to consider when choosing a wedge shaft, but your swing speed and skill level are the most important. Higher swing speeds might not enjoy a graphite shaft on full swings, and vice versa.
Golfers who struggle with their wedges can benefit from a thick sole with plenty of forgiveness, while higher-level players want the workability of the less forgiving ones. You can almost always use the same shafts on your wedges, including your pitching wedge, gap wedge, sand wedge, and lob wedge.
Why the Wedge’s Shaft Matters
Sometimes you can get away with using the same shafts on your wedges that you have as your iron shafts. However, wedges are meant for entirely different scenarios, which is why their shafts should reflect that. The right wedge shafts allow you to get better control and higher spin rates, both improving your game around and into greens out on the golf course.
TellMeMoreGolf.com – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best wedge shaft?
Through our tests, we’ve found that the True Temper Dynamic Gold S400 is the best all-around wedge shaft.
What is the best graphite wedge shaft?
We believe that the best graphite wedge shaft is the Fujikura MCI 105 because of the forgiving aspects combined with impressive control and spin rates.
Should I get a wedge fitting?
Doing a custom club fitting is a great way to get the right wedges for your swing. While doing this, you work with a professional fitter, where you find out which grind, bounce, and shaft you should get on your old or new wedges. Custom shafts work for all types of wedges, including brands like Titleist, TaylorMade, and Callaway.
SUBSCRIBE for FREE GOLF TIPS from our EXPERT INSTRUCTORS!
This article has covered our top five best shafts for wedges, each targeted at different players with different needs.
Hopefully, you now know what separates one wedge shaft from another, what the critical parts of a great wedge shaft are, and which one suits you the best. Thank you for reading this article from TellMeMoreGolf.com.
SUBSCRIBE for FREE GOLF TIPS from our EXPERT INSTRUCTORS!