As the brand new golf season is upon us, it’s time to rethink your gear and make some upgrades for 2022.
Do you want an entire new set? New wedges? Or, another golf gadget that can assist you play extra constantly and shoot decrease scores?
Whereas your irons and putter may be in fine condition, it’s at all times good to evaluate your driver and wedges. Your driver is among the most necessary golf equipment within the bag and with a lot new know-how popping out, a brand new mannequin might help you acquire distance… which ought to make the sport a bit of simpler.
Whereas bombing it lengthy off the tee is important, don’t neglect about sticking method photographs near the pin as nicely. To not point out, ensuring you might have a fantastic quick sport to get it up and down from across the greens.
To do this, you most likely want some contemporary new wedges. There’s no higher choose for some gamers than the trusted, Titleist Vokey collection. This yr they rolled out the newly upgraded, Vokey SM9 wedges.
Hold studying to be taught why they’re the primary wedge on the PGA Tour and could possibly be a fantastic addition to your sport.
Titleist Vokey SM9 Wedge Evaluate
Titleist is among the greatest throughout manufacturers within the sport of golf.
I feel they’re one of many few producers the place you may play all 14 golf equipment in your bag with one model and get essentially the most out of your sport. Which is saying one thing, as a result of numerous manufacturers are good at one factor; drivers, irons, wedges, golf balls, or putters. Someway, Titleist does all of it beneath one roof.
Whereas they’re referred to as “The primary ball in golf”, additionally they make some phenomenal wedges. The unique Vokey was first launched in 2004 and has been beloved by execs and amateurs for almost 20 years.
Right here’s why the SM9 is such a fantastic wedge and why the SM9 is best than the SM8.
Finely Tuned For Flight and Spin
These SM9 wedges acquired a pleasant improve as they now permit for extra exact contact, promote a decrease ball flight, and have much more spin. The CG was additionally raised to assist with ball flight and the grooves are razor sharp to advertise most spin.
Six Grind Choices
What separates Vokey from different wedges is the large collection of completely different grinds. For the on a regular basis golfer, this may not imply a lot however it could actually make an enormous distinction in your sport.
I say this from private expertise too. Once I performed the SM7 Vokey wedges, I used a lob wedge with too little of bounce (solely 4 levels) as a result of I didn’t totally perceive bounce and turf situations. For sure, I struggled from the sand, particularly when it was fluffy and different tight lies across the inexperienced.
However as soon as I switched to the SM8 wedges, I reevaluated my bounce/loft configurations and went with 8 levels of bounce. It actually helped my quick sport in a single day and 10X’d my confidence.
Make certain to take this significantly as a result of the wedge grind must match your kind of swing and situations. Don’t make golf even tougher on your self by taking part in the improper wedges like I did!
Fortunately, Titleist provides six grind choices throughout their wedge line that can assist you play a wedge that matches your swing and typical course situations. Right here’s extra details about every grind to seek out the proper match in your golf sport.
F Grind
The F-grind wedge is the most well-liked sand wedge on tour in line with Titleist. That is an all-purpose grind that’s primarily used for sq. face photographs and if you would like a standard sole. These can be found in 46-56 diploma loft choices and have a tendency to have increased bounce.
S Grind
The S-grind is vastly completely different from the F grind with a slim trailing edge grind. This leads to feeling the clubhead quicker by means of the turf and preferrred for agency or impartial taking part in situations.
Should you’re somebody who considers your self a “really feel” participant and like to manage the face along with your fingers, this can be a nice possibility. Lofts can be found from 54-60 levels, all with 10 levels of bounce.
D Grind
Right here’s a tip that may change your sport and what helped me swap once I purchased the SM8 wedges… “Bounce is your good friend.” Including extra bounce will aid you make higher contact and sure hit it nearer to the outlet.
The D-grind is ideal and referred to as the “Participant’s Excessive Bounce” wedge. Just like the S grind, it’s out there in 54-60 levels of loft and all variations include 12 levels of bounce. These grinds are perfect for gamers with a steep swing and tender taking part in situations.
M Grind
Whereas the D-grind is all about bounce, the M-grind is extra for throughout versatility. Whether or not you might have a shallow or steep swing, this membership might help you out across the greens. It’s additionally preferrred for any kind of taking part in situations with the mid-bounce of 10 levels.
What’s nice about this wedge is that it’s out there in 62 levels of loft as nicely (they’re out there in 56-62). That is the wedge I switched too within the SM8 and made an unbelievable affect on my bunker sport. I play in a wide range of situations and located this membership very helpful in just about any scenario.
Should you want a reliable, reliable wedge from quick vary, this can be a nice possibility.
Ok Grind
In order for you much more bounce than the D-grind, then you’ll love this mannequin. The Ok-grind is right for taking part in in tender situations akin to places with moist climates. It’s made for gamers with a steep swing and solely out there in 58 or 60 levels loft (each with 14 levels of bounce).
L Grind
Rounding out the checklist is the L-grind, which is the bottom bounce possibility. This membership is barely out there in 60 levels of loft and solely 4 levels of bounce.
Beware, this membership just isn’t for many golfers or most situations. As I discussed earlier, bounce is your good friend and this grind barely has any. Until you might have a really shallow swing and play in agency situations, go for one of many different 5 grinds.
Loft Choices
One other large perk with the Vokey wedges is the huge collection of loft/bounce configurations. From PW to LW, they’ve a wedge that can work completely for you.
A number of Coloration Choices
Apart from the grinds, let’s not neglect concerning the look of the face too.
The Vokey SM9 is available in three completely different finishes, in contrast to numerous their rivals. The completely different choices embody; Tour Chrome, Brushed Metal, and Jet Black. Or, for those who go along with the customized WedgeWorks choices, they’ve a “Uncooked” model too.
All of them look nice however it is best to know that the brushed metal and jet black finishes can rust. I’ve used the jet black for 2 years and don’t discover it a lot, however the end undoubtedly chips away after repeated use. Don’t fear although, the grooves keep sharp that can assist you get loads of spin across the greens!
Shaft and Grip
Like most producers, just one inventory shaft is on the market. The brand new Vokey wedges include a True Mood Dynamic Gold metal shaft which is an S200 (stiff) flex.
The shaft weighs 130 grams, which is heavy for some gamers and has a low launch attribute. This shaft is nice for gamers who wish to scale back spin and hit photographs that hit as soon as, bounce, and cease on a dime.
Nevertheless, this is among the few downsides to this wedge as some gamers could be higher off with a lighter metal or graphite shaft possibility. The inventory grip is a Golf Satisfaction Tour Velvet 360 White Flat cap and is on the market in numerous sizes.
Customized Wedge Choices
Lastly, you may’t beat the customization choices from Titleist. Don’t neglect, with out paying any upgraded charges you may select between six grinds, tons of various loft/bounce choices and three finishes.
However if you wish to customise your wedges much more, you may as nicely with customized choices and WedgeWorks. The customized choices help you improve your shafts which is required for some gamers. Plus, 100% customization capabilities.
WedgeWorks is all about personalization and making every wedge 100% your individual. As they mentioned on their web site, “Wedgeworks is your window into Bob’s workshop.” This was established in 2008 and means that you can get the tour expertise for all golfers.
You get world-class craftsmanship and certain to impress your {golfing} buddies. You get to create your individual wedge by including a toe engraving, hand stamping, or BV wings to your wedges. Plus, determine the paint fill colours as nicely.
Clearly, there’s an upcharge to creating customized wedges nevertheless it’s a reasonably cool possibility and enjoyable option to make your wedges stand out. Should you want them quick, skip this selection as customizing does take longer to create and ship the golf golf equipment.
WedgeWorks Flight Traces
I can’t neglect to say Flight Traces both. They now provide the flexibility so as to add “Flight Traces” to your wedges. That is an unbelievable visible support that can aid you arrange the face appropriately for the kind of shot you wish to play.
There’s a line for pitch, bump-n-run, and flop shot, making it straightforward to arrange correctly to hit any kind of shot. Created by Parker McLachlin (who runs the favored Instagram @shortgamechef) partnered with Titleist to create this revolutionary design within the new SM9 wedges.
In line with a Golf.com piece on this know-how, “The most important concern McLachlin noticed was an excessive amount of ahead shaft lean for the common novice, which led to inconsistent contact on a myriad of photographs. On a visit residence from Las Vegas with the UCLA males’s golf group — McLachlin was employed as a volunteer assistant coach in 2019 — he began to marvel if there was a manner he may give amateurs visible cues to assist them arrange like a Tour participant.”
Now, you may add these flight traces that can assist you get into the best place at deal with place. I feel it’s nicely price funding in your quick sport!
FAQs About Titleist Vokey Wedges
You probably have extra questions on taking part in the Vokey wedges, we’ve got solutions that can assist you in your shopping for determination.
When did the SM9 wedges come out?
Should you’re like most golfers, I’m certain you’re pondering, “When can I purchase SM9 wedges?”
Good query as a result of these golf equipment are pure and might help your quick sport tremendously. Fortunately, you don’t have to attend as these golf equipment are formally on the market now. They grew to become out there for on a regular basis golfers on March 11, 2022.
Titleist has a unique launch schedule for his or her golf equipment from different manufacturers like Callaway and TaylorMade. Whereas they didn’t launch any new drivers or irons within the first quarter of 2022, they do launch their wedges early within the yr. We’ll be counting all the way down to future product releases for brand new drivers and irons this fall.
Are Vokey SM8 forgiving? How about SM9?
The Vokey wedges are numerous issues however forgiving isn’t a phrase I might use to explain them. Should you’re a high-handicap golfer, I might keep away from these wedges till you groove a extra constant swing.
In contrast to different wedges, they’re heavy and designed for expert gamers who need most versatility across the greens. They gained’t assist with distance or getting the ball excessive within the air as they’re designed for gamers who can do this naturally with a quicker, extra constant swing.
Are Vokey wedges solid?
Surprisingly, these amazingly constructed wedges usually are not solid.
Which execs use Vokey wedges?
A ton of PGA Tour execs use (and love) Vokey wedges. Because the #1 wedge in golf (alongside the #1 ball in golf), they’ve massive names like Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlay, Cameron Smith and extra.
How typically ought to I purchase new wedges?
This can be a nice query as contemporary new wedges can have a big impact in your quick sport. There’s nobody reply because it will depend on how often you play, how typically you hit vary balls, and different elements. However I might say that it’s worthwhile to exchange wedges extra recurrently than another golf equipment in your bag.
With drivers, they’ll final a couple of years however you may improve for brand new know-how. Fairway woods, hybrids, and irons can final a number of years (or extra). However wedges must get changed extra often as a result of the grooves put on down shortly. Particularly for those who observe with wedges rather a lot on the vary or the quick sport space.
I as soon as learn that Tiger Woods performs with new wedges every match week! Don’t fear, you don’t must replace them that recurrently although.
However you need contemporary new grooves as a result of it can aid you create extra spin. Should you’re like most novice golfers, you need as a lot spin as attainable.
That is nice for those who get quick sided and don’t have a ton of inexperienced to work with. Your wedge can bail you out and aid you save extra pars.
Last Ideas
The brand new Vokey wedges are one other hit for Titleist and it’s straightforward to see why they’re so fashionable with elite gamers. I feel they’re a fantastic alternative for mid to low handicap golfers however would advise increased handicap gamers to make use of a unique wedge. They’re fairly heavy because of the shaft and the clubhead itself isn’t very forgiving.
However if you would like most quick sport playability, these are the golf equipment for you. Should you love the GW, SW, and LW a lot you may even swap out your inventory pitching wedge as nicely.
Simply be sure to purchase the best grind in your swing kind and taking part in situations. Then, check them out with completely different photographs and see how significantly better you may get from shut vary.
Click on right here to be taught extra about these wedges now.
