If you’re buying a wedge in 2026, it’s easy to get distracted by a number.
Rotation.
Each brand promises more and, even on our test charts, the higher-rpm spots stand out first. But after digging through thousands of shots from our 2025 wedge test, one thing became clear.
The wedges that help you score are the ones that control distance, minimize scatter and continue to perform when moisture is involved. Here are the three most important things to look for when buying a wedge.
1. Distance control and descent angle
Carrying distance control is one of the clearest performance dividers in our wedge test. It’s a key part of the Consistency Score, which evaluates how reliably a wedge produces the same carry distance throughout the full swing, 50-yard dry putt, and 50-yard wet putt. If a wedge is long on one swing and short on the next, scoring becomes difficult no matter how much spin it produces.
Top performing wedges, incl Mizuno Pro T-1, Mizuno Pro T-3 AND TaylorMade MG5kept their windows tight in all three scenarios. This consistency is a big reason they finished near the top in scoring accuracy and consistency.
When testing wedges, pay attention to your 50 yard hold pattern. You want the shots to cluster tightly around your target distance. Random “hot” shots or flyers are a sign that the wedge will be harder to trust on the course.
2. Roll that survives moisture
This is where wedges either shine or break during testing.
Almost every wedge loses some spin when moisture is involved, but the amount varies more than most players realize. Some wedges like Cleveland RTZ GAIN spin, but others almost lost half their rotation. This difference matters when you’re trying to hit a controlled wedge into a soft green at 8am
Top Performers (High Retention)
- Cleveland RTZ – 105.3% retention
- Cleveland RTZ full face – 104.9% retention
- Fourteen FRZ – 98.5% retention
- TaylorMade MG5 – 98.4% retention
- Mizuno Pro T-3 – 97.0% retention
Poor performers (high spin loss):
- Meet Sky Forger 002 – 52.0% retention
- Orca OD – 38.9% retention
A wedge like Orca OD it starts at more than 6,700 rpm on dry 50-yard shots, but drops to just 2,621 rpm in the wet. Meanwhile, Cleveland’s RTZ lineup average spin maintained or slightly increased during the wet test. If you play in wet conditions, this should be part of your purchasing decision.
3. Dispersion models
Most golfers think of distribution with a driver, not a wedge, but our test shows that it plays a big role in wedge performance. Accuracy is the most heavily weighted category in the Most Wanted Points model. It accounts for 50 percent of the total score, and that score comes directly from the Strokes Gained calculations based on where the ball ended up.
In 13,680 test shots, the wedges that ranked highest weren’t just those that spun the ball or controlled carry distances. They were the ones who kept the models tight on full swings and shots from 50 yards.
Spin alone does not guarantee that the ball will end up close to the target.
While testing wedges, look for:
- Shot models standing in the center
- Minimal left/right movement in full and partial swings
- A wedge that starts in your target line continuously
Final thoughts
If you want to right wedge in 2026here is the cheat sheet:
- Distance control first: Look for tight numbers, especially on 50-yard shots, and a steep enough descent angle to stop the ball quickly.
- Keeping the second wet spin: Wedges that maintain roll in wet conditions keep distance control and flight window intact when it matters most.
- Third Dispersion: Spin and distance don’t matter if the ball doesn’t end up close to the target. Choose a wedge that keeps firing patterns centered and minimizes left/right variance.
Post Need a new wedge? Here’s what our wedge testing says matters most appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
