Looking at the Best Used Wedge Sets for Beginners

We’ve often described wedges as the surprise tool that will help us later, and for good reason because they are best compared to something like the back of a hammer for those moments when you’ve nailed in the wrong place and need to use the claw to get it back out. Or the safety net of using painters tape on the edges of a wall so you can rip off any accidental stray brush lines. 

Wedges are the club(s) you use when you get your ball between a rock and hard place- (sometimes literally). If you’ve swung your club and your golf ball has ended up in the rough, sand, or something similar, you can use a wedge to get it out. Wedges are also used for smaller controlled shots that an iron is too much for, great for getting your ball onto the greens without it overshooting and rolling into a place you don’t want it.

Most golf clubs in your bag come in a 1 out of 1 set, obviously there are many variations of drivers, hybrids, woods, and putters out there, but typically in your golf bag you’ll only have one to two of each. Irons are different as they come in a set of seven clubs with some golfers having the full selection and others only rock with one. Wedges come in a set of three or four, not no more. The pitching wedge, sand wedge, gap wedge, and lob wedge- (more on their superpowers below). 

Today we’re here to find the best used wedge sets for beginners, and that means taking into account budget, skill level, and need:

• A StickHawk Guide to: Wedges and the 52-56-60 Setup
• Buying Clubs for Beginners: Budget and Skill Level
• Best Used Wedge Set for Beginners

But why are we the ones qualified to answer your club questions? Well if you haven’t heard of us yet then let us have the pleasure of introducing you to what we do best:

Our story is a simple one, what started out as a side-venture in the highs and lows of selling shoes on eBay, has now turned around to be a business with 20 full-time employees, a 15,000 square foot warehouse, and relationships with private golf courses all over the U.S. At StickHawk you can make your putting dreams come true as we sell quality drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, iron sets, single irons, wedges, putters, complete club sets for those who need the basics to play today, and accessories. We want to match you with the golf club(s) of your dreams. You can take our “Club Decider Quiz” and it will help you decide the exact right make and models you need to feel good while you’re on the course.

We really care that you’re getting the right golf clubs, we don’t just sell to sell. We mentioned our “Find the right clubs” quiz- (which will either be as a “pop up” as you go onto our homepage or you will see it once you scroll down to the bottom of the screen and you’ll know you’re in the right place when you see our Hawk mascot holding gold clubs like a real player). The team has spent hours coming up with and designing the right questions to find you the golf clubs that’ll fit you at your skill level, and that includes finding the best used wedge set for beginners.

A StickHawk Guide to: Wedges and the 52-56-60 Setup

When you’re going into the game of golf you’re going to feel overwhelmed at times, it’s totally okay and totally normal. Unlike other sports there is a lot to learn about golf and the equipment you use to play it. In the intro we talked about how wedges come in a set of three to four, so we’re going to quickly go over what each of these wedges are used for specifically so you know what to expect from a full set:

• Pitching Wedge (PW): Wedges as a whole are the highest lofted golf clubs in a traditional golf bag set. The pitching wedge is the lowest lofted club of a wedge set specially. Used for longer shots like if the hole is in sight and you don’t want to overshoot, and pitch shots. Used less to get your ball out of danger and more for getting onto the greens properly so you can switch to a putter. It’s almost always going to be the first wedge most used by beginner golfers to build confidence and skill with this type of club.
• Sand Wedge (SW): It’s in the name, the sand wedge is used to get out of sand bunkers and rougher terrain. It typically has a higher loft and wider sole to make those tough shots easier to control. You know those cool photos of golfers swinging from the sand and you’ll see sand debris fly up from their club? That’s an explosion shot which is from using a sand wedge. When you want to launch high but land with grace, this is the wedge for you.
• Lob Wedge (LW): This will be your club and wedge with the highest lob meaning it’s built specially for height and minimal roll when landed. Great for digging out your ball and getting your ball to stop neatly exactly where you aim for it. It is the hardest wedge out of the set for beginners because of its high loft.
• The Gap Wedge (GW): Most commonly wedge sets will always come in threes but in recent years a new wedge has become the new “it” girl and that’s the gap wedge. This is the middle ground option used when making a shot after the sand wedge and before the pitching wedge. They’re great for controlled shots and longer chips. 

So, higher loft = higher launch heights, and less drag once landed. While lower loft = lower launch heights and more roll once landed. 

What is the 52-56-60 set-up?

Just like with anything, there’s always going to be a preferred or recommended set-up from golfers that’s a universal agreement, and the 52-56-60 wedge set is that. The 52-degree, the 56-degree, and the 60-degree wedges aren’t just the most common wedges, but most common golf clubs all together. 

Usually any gap wedge you'll buy will be 52°, while 56° will be for the sand wedge, and 60° is for the lob wedge. The pitching wedge is in its own lane staying in at a traditional 46° but like all the others can have slight variations to those numbers.

Buying Clubs for Beginners: Budget and Skill Level

Budget and skill level are the two things you should take into consideration the most when shopping for golf clubs. The PW is always going to be our pick for the first wedge you should be buying and getting used to. It’s by far the most adaptable and will let you get a handle for using this type of club. 

And for beginners especially you’re always going to want to look at a 52-56-60 set-up when you’re ready to buy the full set along with your standard pitching wedge.

Buying used is another recommendation we’re going to make as you’ll historically be spending less and it will let you get a feel for the clubs instead of dropping the big bucks on clubs you haven’t been properly acquainted with.

Best Used Wedge Set for Beginners

Since we aren’t talking individual wedges and this article is focused on sets we’re going to assume you’ve already been practicing with a pitching wedge and are ready to take a dive into the rest. Here’s some used sets we love for beginners:

Cleveland CBX 2 Wedges

The Cleveland CBX 2 wedges are the best for offering consistent bounce and game-improvement. The full face grooves won’t cause you any trouble hitting the ball in the center, even if it’s a smaller club face than you’re used to with your other clubs. 

An old listing of the Cleveland CBX 2’s wedge set.

We currently don’t have any CBX 2 full sets available, but we do have individual wedges from this line in stock. So here’s a sand, lob, and gap wedge for you to take a look at:

Cleveland CBX 2 Sand Wedge was $139.99 and is now $93.59:

• Men's Right-Handed
• Loft: 56 Degrees / 12 Bounce
• Club Length at address: 35.25"
• Shaft Material: Graphite
• Shaft Brand: Rotex
• Shaft Model: Precision Graphite
• Golf Pride CP2 Pro Standard Grip in Good condition

Overall Condition: Used - Grade: 8 (Good Quality)

Cleveland CBX 2 Lob Wedge was $139.99 and is now $93.59:

• Men's Right-Handed
• Loft: 60 Degrees / 10 Bounce
• Club Length at address: 35.25"
• Shaft Material: Graphite
• Shaft Brand: Rotex
• Shaft Model: Precision Graphite
• Golf Pride CP2 Wrap Standard Grip in Good condition

Overall Condition: Used - Grade: 8 (Good Quality)

Cleveland CBX 2 Gap Wedge was $139.99 and is now $93.59:

• Men's Right-Handed
• Loft: 52 Degrees / 11 Bounce
• Club Length at address: 35.50"
• Shaft Material: Graphite
• Shaft Brand: Rotex
• Shaft Model: Precision Graphite
• Golf Pride MCC Plus 4 Standard Grip in Good condition

Overall Condition: Used - Grade: 8 (Good Quality)

Wilson Harmonized Wedges

These classic blade shaped wedges are on many lists for being the best of for “beginners” and for good reason as they will help you get and stay consistent. You don’t want to end up with a new wedge set down the line and lose all of your hard work honing this specific skill, the Wilson Harmonized line will keep you in tip top shape and will have you level up to a mid-handicapper.

The Wilson Black models are another fan favorite. 

We currently don’t have any Wilson Harmonized full sets available, but we do have individual wedges from this line in stock. So here’s a sand and lob wedge to look at:

Wilson Harmonized Classic Sand Wedge was $44.08 and is now $35.49:

• Ladies’ Right-Handed
• Loft: 56 Degrees / 12 Bounce
• Club Length at address: 34.00"
• Shaft Material: Graphite
• Shaft Brand: Wilson
• Shaft Model: Harmonized
• Wilson Standard Grip in Good condition

Overall Condition: Used - Grade: 8 (Good Quality)

Wilson Harmonized Lob Wedge was $40.98 and is now $34.99:

• Men's Right-Handed
• Loft: 60 Degrees
• Club Length at address: 35.00"
• Shaft Material: Steel
• Shaft Brand: Wilson
• Shaft Model: Stock
• Lamkin Perma Wrap Standard Grip in Good condition 

Overall Condition: Used - Grade: 8 (Good Quality)

Callaway CB Wedges

If you find yourself struggling to hit straight or chipping in general then the Callaway CB wedges are going to be your new best friend. With its large cavity back you won’t struggle with its lack of forgiveness, and the full face grooves offer up delicious spin and are great for lift and control.

We have a set of two Callway CB’s that include both a lob and sand wedge:

Their durability is worth studying.

The Callaway CB Full Face Wedge Set was $248.19 and is now $194.09:

• Ladies’ Right-Handed
• Sand Wedge - 56 Degrees / 14 Bounce - 34.50" Length
• Lob Wedge - 60 Degrees / 12 Bounce - 34.00" Length 
• Shaft Material: Graphite
• Shaft Brand: UST Mamiya 
• Shaft Model: Recoil F1 
• Lamkin Sonar Standard Grips in Good condition 

Overall Condition: Used - Grade: 9 (Excellent Quality)

When you’re looking for the best used wedge set for beginners, you’ll want to stay in the recommended 52-56-60 set up so you can experience control, forgiveness, consistency, and most importantly: growth as a golfer.