By Nate Lammers, Club Fitter
In March 2022, Titleist and Bob Vokey will be releasing their ninth iteration of the Vokey Spin Milled wedges (Vokey SM9). For the last 18 years or so Vokey wedges have been the preferred choice for professionals, college and high school players, junior golfers, and amateurs alike.
Bob has learned from the greatest players, watching, listening and hearing what those players want out of a wedge and its performance. His goal is to create a wedge that performs in all conditions on the world’s hardest and most challenging golf courses. Most wedge development takes place on the driving ranges, practice greens and the bunkers of the PGA tour. This allows Bob to work closely with top professionals to help better understand exactly what they are looking for in terms of design and feel. It’s nice to have the input of the best players in the world, but Bob’s focus is with the amateur players in mind when designing these wedges. This has allowed Vokey design wedges to be the best sellers to golfers of all skill levels.
“We design the best product possible and take it to the tour. If the tour players accept it, then we say this must be awfully good.”
-Bob Vokey
The new Vokey SM9 wedges are precision engineered with artistry and craftsmanship. Titleist believes that the SM9 is their most technologically advanced design yet, created to provide a lower launch, and a higher spin rate. The grinds available to each of the Vokey design wedges offer a creative edge that you can only get from a Vokey.
With the SM9 wedges, Titleist’s goal is to create the best of both worlds in terms of precise distances and unbeatable trajectory control. The SM9’s provide a more forward and raised center of gravity allowing for a more controlled ball flight and solid contact.
To produce maximum spin, the grooves of the new SM9 are cut to the edge of the USGA limit. Every wedge is inspected for the highest quality and performance. Titleist has applied a localized heat treatment to the impact area to improve durability of each grove.
Below is a list of grind options a brief description of performance:
F-Grind (Faxon Grind)
An all-purpose grind particularly suited for full shots and shots hit with a square face. Ideal for players who prefer a traditional wedge sole, and the most played sand wedge on Tour.
The F-grind is offered in the following loft structures:
- 46-10F
- 48-10F
- 50-08F
- 52-12F
- 54-14F
- 56-14F
M-Grind (Ask your fitter for meaning)
Vokey’s favorite grind is designed for players that like to rotate the club face open and closed to manufacture shots around the green. Ideal for players with a shallower, more sweeping swing type who play shots from a variety of clubface positions.
The M-Grind loft offerings:
- 56-08M
- 58-08M
- 60-08M
- 62-08M
S-Grind (Stricker Grind)
A full sole that has been narrowed by a trailing edge grind, giving it a faster feel through the turf. This grind is best for neutral to firm conditions and for players that like to control loft with their hands ahead or behind the ball.
S-Grind loft offerings:
- 54-10S
- 56-10S
- 58-10S
- 60-10S
D-Grind (Dill Grind)
Blending versatility from a heel, toe, and trailing edge grind with forgiveness from its high measured bounce. Ideal for players with a steeper angle of attack who play shots from a variety of clubface positions.
D-Grind Loft offerings:
- 54-12D
- 56-12D
- 58-12D
- 60-12D
L-Grind (Lefty Grind)
The lowest bounce option in the mix with heel, toe, and trailing edge relief. This club is perfect for firm conditions and designed for precise players who have complete control at impact, allowing for maximum shot-making versatility.
L-Grind Loft offerings:
- 60-04L
K-Grind (Kite Grind)
The highest bounce wedge in the lineup with a wide, full sole and enhanced camber. The ultimate bunker club is forgiving from a variety of softer sand and turf conditions.
K-Grind Loft offerings:
- 58-14K
- 60-14K
*Descriptions of the wedge grinds were taken from vokey.com. Who better to describe the grinds than the man himself?
The Finishes:
- Tour Chrome (Traditional looking chrome plating)
- Brushed Steel (Darker looking plating to reduce glare and stand out in the bag)
- Jet Black (Darkest finish which is a coating that will slowly wear and rust)
- RAW (soon to be available and will rust due to lack of finish)
Once again, we at Miles of Golf believe that Mr. Bob Vokey and Titleist have knocked it out of the park with these wedges. They feature great design, wonderful feel, and plenty of spin for all golfers. To figure out which Vokey SM9 wedge/wedges work for you, schedule a fitting here at Miles of Golf. Let us help you play your best no matter the skill level.
