Shop for a set of irons online or at a premium fitting facility like True Spec, and you’ll find that you can generally fill around eight of the 14 available spots in your bag. Typical iron sets include one to two wedges and go up to at least a 5-iron.

So why is it that so many players opt to purchase their wedges separately from their iron set, and what is the benefit in doing so? I asked True Spec’s Peter Weber for guidance.

“A pro for matching your wedges to your iron set is that you will match the forgiveness level of your irons, and that is beneficial if you see them as mainly full-swing clubs,” Weber said. “The benefit of opting for traditional wedge design instead is typically enhanced shot-making capabilities.”

Players of different skill levels prioritize different things, Weber explained, and those priorities will inform your set makeup.

“Depending on skill level, the priority for wedges will be either keeping forgiveness up to maintain ball speed and carry on mis-hit shots or ensuring that we are able to consistently take ball speed off when hitting a less than full shot,” he said.

So if you favor consistency and forgiveness, playing wedges that are part of an integrated set probably the best option for you, whereas if you’re a player who is looking for enhanced feel and control around the green, a separate wedge purchase may be the way to go.

If the latter option sounds like you, how can you make sure that any wedges you’re interested in will integrate seamlessly with your existing iron set?

“Working with your fitter and coach to identify what approach is best would be the first step, then ensuring loft gapping and sole design are appropriately set up would be next,” Weber said.

Ready to hone in on the wedges that are best for your game? Click here to find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf. You can also check out some popular standalone wedge models below.

Shop wedges at Fairway Jockey

Titleist Vokey SM10 Tour Chrome Custom Wedge

Adding Vokey Design® SM10 Wedges to your bag opens a world of scoring opportunities. Between the crisp contact, optimal flighting, incredible spin – and those magical Bob Vokey grinds – they give you everything you need to grow your short game skill. From the simple to the sensational, SM10 are made to make great shots happen. Improved Flighting & Feel Get lower, more attacking flight in a wedge that feels amazingly solid at impact with SM10. A precise shift in the center of gravity gives you even more control and stability for greater confidence over every shot. Ultimate Shot Versatility Your swing is unique and requires the right tools. Finding your ideal mix of grinds will provide you with flawless contact and maximum versatility so you can be prepared for everything the course demands.

$ 189.99 from Fairway Jockey

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Cleveland RTZ Custom Wedge

All-new RTZ Wedges are made with Z-Alloy, a completely new steel formula that enables a zero-compromise design approach for incredible feel, better durability, and more consistency for our best performing tour Wedges yet. Plus, there’s an all-new ADAPT grind featuring full-face grooves, to give RTZ Wedges more versatility than ever before.  Z-Alloy  Z-Alloy is a brand-new steel with better feel. It’s softer, lighter, and remarkably durable. It gives RTZ Wedges superior feel, better forgiveness, and more consistency. On RTZ Tour Rack Wedges, Z-Alloy’s rust-resistant properties ensure longer-lasting, like-new performance.  HydraZip HydraZip is a unique system of face blasts and laser-milled lines formulated to maximize spin performance under wet conditions. This technology is dynamically configured by loft groupings, which helps balance spin across lofts, while maximizing spin in adverse conditions.  ZipCore This low-density core technology replaces heavier material in the heel and hosel area with a lightweight, low-density, vibration-dampening material. This proprietary core allows us to shift the Center of Gravity closer to where you strike the ball, while simultaneously adding MOI.  UltiZip UltiZip’s sharper grooves cut through grass and debris at contact, while deeper grooves help make space for grass, sand, dirt, or water to clear the impact zone, giving RTZ Wedges stronger, more consistent spin from the fairway, rough, or bunker. 

$ 199.99 from Fairway Jockey

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Callaway Opus SP Custom Wedge

SPIN POCKET CONSTRUCTION A re-engineered 2-piece construction head design strategically reshapes mass to optimize CG locations. The Spin Pocket redistributes weight higher, raising the CG, and promoting a lower, more penetrating launch. The result is more spin and enhanced control, especially when you need to flight shots or attack tight pins. NEW SPIN GEN 2.0 FACE The most advanced face in OPUS history. A new 17° groove angle with tighter pitch spacing delivers more groove edge contact for more consistent spin across a variety of lies. Combined with a deeper cross-hatch laser pattern across the face, Spin Gen 2.0 produces enhanced friction for more bite and stopping power on all types of approach shots. SHAPE 6 – TOUR-VALIDATED PROFILE Trusted by Tour players for its clean, confident look at address, Shape 6 offers precise leading edge shaping and refined sole geometry. Shape 6 is the 6th and final iteration in the Opus prototype shaping phase, validated by Tour players and major champions. OPUS SP introduces progressive shaping in gap wedges to seamlessly blend with modern iron sets-creating a more cohesive setup from top to bottom. X GRIND – VERSATILITY WITH BOUNCE Back by popular demand, the X Grind returns in OPUS SP. Designed for shotmakers who want added bounce for forgiveness, without giving up versatility, the X Grind is ideal for players who like to open the face around the greens or play in firmer turf conditions. It's the perfect blend of playability and performance in a wide range of shots and conditions.

$ 199.99 from Fairway Jockey

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Miura Forged Series Custom Wedge

Miura introduces new, perfectly engineered wedges, melding the best of forged feel with two unique sole grinds which will benefit all golfers in all turf conditions. These special grinds will become instant allies in the bags of golfers who take take their short games seriously and find delight in the performance of great designs.

$ 320 from Fairway Jockey

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PING s159 Custom Wedge

With the addition of two grinds and new lofts, the tour-style s159 wedges are available in 25 loft/grind combinations to match a wedge to your playing conditions and technique while ensuring a properly gapped set. Extensive testing with top PING tour players helped create wedges that will appeal to golfers of all abilities. The new WebFit Wedge app provides a quick and easy way to determine the s159 grinds that best fit your game. Tour-Proven Design The tour-inspired 8620 carbon steel head features a soft feel and clean shape with a straighter lead edge for improved results on full shots. Two performance-enhancing finishes (Hybropearl 2.0 Chrome and Midnight) are available in all loft/grind combinations. More Grooves. More Spin. Wheel-cut grooves are precision-milled to varying dimensions, depending on loft. The 46-to-52-degree wedges are milled to maximize groove volume for greater control on full shots. The 54-to-62-degree options feature more tightly spaced MicroMax grooves to impart more spin, especially around the greens.

$ 179.99 from Fairway Jockey

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