As the new golf season is upon us, it’s time to rethink your equipment and make some upgrades for 2022.
Do you need a whole new set? New wedges? Or, some other golf gadget to help you play more consistently and shoot lower scores?
While your irons and putter might be in good shape, it’s always good to assess your driver and wedges. Your driver is one of the most important clubs in the bag and with so much new technology coming out, a new model can help you gain distance… which should make the game a little easier.
While bombing it long off the tee is critical, don’t forget about sticking approach shots close to the pin as well. Not to mention, making sure you have a great short game to get it up and down from around the greens.
To do that, you probably need some fresh new wedges. There’s no better pick for some players than the trusted, Titleist Vokey series. This year they rolled out the newly upgraded, Vokey SM9 wedges.
Keep reading to learn why they are the number one wedge on the PGA Tour and could be a great addition to your game.
Titleist Vokey SM9 Wedge Review
Titleist is one of the best all around brands in the game of golf.
I think they’re one of the few manufacturers where you could play all 14 clubs in your bag with one brand and get the most out of your game. Which is saying something, because a lot of brands are good at one thing; drivers, irons, wedges, golf balls, or putters. Somehow, Titleist does it all under one roof.
While they are known as “The number one ball in golf”, they also make some phenomenal wedges. The original Vokey was first released in 2004 and has been loved by pros and amateurs for nearly two decades.
Here’s why the SM9 is such a great wedge and why the SM9 is better than the SM8.
Finely Tuned For Flight and Spin
These SM9 wedges received a nice upgrade as they now allow for more precise contact, promote a lower ball flight, and have even more spin. The CG was also raised to help with ball flight and the grooves are razor sharp to promote maximum spin.
Six Grind Options
What separates Vokey from other wedges is the huge selection of different grinds. For the everyday golfer, this might not mean much but it can make a huge difference in your game.
I say this from personal experience too. When I played the SM7 Vokey wedges, I used a lob wedge with too little of bounce (only 4 degrees) because I didn’t fully understand bounce and turf conditions. Needless to say, I struggled from the sand, especially when it was fluffy and other tight lies around the green.
But once I switched to the SM8 wedges, I reevaluated my bounce/loft configurations and went with 8 degrees of bounce. It literally helped my short game overnight and 10X’d my confidence.
Make sure to take this seriously because the wedge grind needs to match your type of swing and conditions. Don’t make golf even harder on yourself by playing the wrong wedges like I did!
Luckily, Titleist offers six grind options across their wedge line to help you play a wedge that fits your swing and typical course conditions. Here’s more information about each grind to find the perfect fit for your golf game.
F Grind
The F-grind wedge is the most popular sand wedge on tour according to Titleist. This is an all-purpose grind that is primarily used for square face shots and if you want a traditional sole. These are available in 46-56 degree loft options and tend to have higher bounce.
S Grind
The S-grind is vastly different from the F grind with a narrow trailing edge grind. This results in feeling the clubhead faster through the turf and ideal for firm or neutral playing conditions.
If you’re someone who considers yourself a “feel” player and like to control the face with your hands, this is a great option. Lofts are available from 54-60 degrees, all with 10 degrees of bounce.
D Grind
Here’s a tip that can change your game and what helped me switch when I bought the SM8 wedges… “Bounce is your friend.” Adding more bounce will help you make better contact and likely hit it closer to the hole.
The D-grind is perfect and known as the “Player’s High Bounce” wedge. Like the S grind, it’s available in 54-60 degrees of loft and all variations come with 12 degrees of bounce. These grinds are ideal for players with a steep swing and soft playing conditions.
M Grind
While the D-grind is all about bounce, the M-grind is more for all around versatility. Whether you have a shallow or steep swing, this club can help you out around the greens. It’s also ideal for any type of playing conditions with the mid-bounce of 10 degrees.
What’s great about this wedge is that it’s available in 62 degrees of loft as well (they are available in 56-62). This is the wedge I switched too in the SM8 and made an incredible impact on my bunker game. I play in a variety of conditions and found this club very useful in pretty much any situation.
If you need a dependable, trustworthy wedge from short range, this is a great option.
K Grind
If you want even more bounce than the D-grind, then you will love this model. The K-grind is ideal for playing in soft conditions such as locations with wet climates. It’s made for players with a steep swing and only available in 58 or 60 degrees loft (both with 14 degrees of bounce).
L Grind
Rounding out the list is the L-grind, which is the lowest bounce option. This club is only available in 60 degrees of loft and only 4 degrees of bounce.
Beware, this club is not for most golfers or most conditions. As I mentioned earlier, bounce is your friend and this grind barely has any. Unless you have a very shallow swing and play in firm conditions, opt for one of the other five grinds.
Loft Options
Another huge perk with the Vokey wedges is the massive selection of loft/bounce configurations. From PW to LW, they have a wedge that will work perfectly for you.
Multiple Color Options
Aside from the grinds, let’s not forget about the look of the face too.
The Vokey SM9 comes in three different finishes, unlike a lot of their competitors. The different options include; Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel, and Jet Black. Or, if you go with the custom WedgeWorks options, they have a “Raw” version too.
All of them look great but you should know that the brushed steel and jet black finishes can rust. I’ve used the jet black for two years and don’t notice it much, but the finish definitely chips away after repeated use. Don’t worry though, the grooves stay sharp to help you get plenty of spin around the greens!
Shaft and Grip
Like most manufacturers, only one stock shaft is available. The new Vokey wedges come with a True Temper Dynamic Gold steel shaft which is an S200 (stiff) flex.
The shaft weighs 130 grams, which is heavy for some players and has a low launch characteristic. This shaft is great for players who want to reduce spin and hit shots that hit once, bounce, and stop on a dime.
However, this is one of the few downsides to this wedge as some players would be better off with a lighter steel or graphite shaft option. The stock grip is a Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 White Flat cap and is available in different sizes.
Custom Wedge Options
Lastly, you can’t beat the customization options from Titleist. Don’t forget, without paying any upgraded fees you can choose between six grinds, tons of different loft/bounce options and three finishes.
But if you want to customize your wedges even more, you can as well with custom options and WedgeWorks. The custom options allow you to upgrade your shafts which is needed for some players. Plus, 100% customization capabilities.
WedgeWorks is all about personalization and making each wedge 100% your own. As they said on their website, “Wedgeworks is your window into Bob’s workshop.” This was established in 2008 and allows you to get the tour experience for all golfers.
You get world-class craftsmanship and sure to impress your golfing buddies. You get to create your own wedge by adding a toe engraving, hand stamping, or BV wings to your wedges. Plus, decide the paint fill colors as well.
Obviously, there is an upcharge to creating custom wedges but it’s a pretty cool option and fun way to make your wedges stand out. If you need them fast, skip this option as customizing does take longer to create and ship the golf clubs.
WedgeWorks Flight Lines
I can’t forget to mention Flight Lines either. They now offer the ability to add “Flight Lines” to your wedges. This is an incredible visual aid that will help you set up the face correctly for the type of shot you want to play.
There is a line for pitch, bump-n-run, and flop shot, making it easy to set up properly to hit any type of shot. Created by Parker McLachlin (who runs the popular Instagram @shortgamechef) partnered with Titleist to create this revolutionary design in the new SM9 wedges.
According to a Golf.com piece on this technology, “The biggest issue McLachlin saw was too much forward shaft lean for the average amateur, which led to inconsistent contact on a myriad of shots. On a trip home from Las Vegas with the UCLA men’s golf team — McLachlin was hired as a volunteer assistant coach in 2019 — he started to wonder if there was a way he could give amateurs visual cues to help them set up like a Tour player.”
Now, you can add these flight lines to help you get into the right position at address position. I think it’s well worth investment for your short game!
FAQs About Titleist Vokey Wedges
If you have more questions about playing the Vokey wedges, we have answers to help you in your buying decision.
When did the SM9 wedges come out?
If you’re like most golfers, I’m sure you’re thinking, “When can I buy SM9 wedges?”
Good question because these clubs are pure and can help your short game tremendously. Luckily, you don’t have to wait as these clubs are officially for sale now. They became available for everyday golfers on March 11, 2022.
Titleist has a different release schedule for their clubs from other brands like Callaway and TaylorMade. While they didn’t release any new drivers or irons in the first quarter of 2022, they do release their wedges early in the year. We’ll be counting down to future product releases for new drivers and irons this fall.
Are Vokey SM8 forgiving? How about SM9?
The Vokey wedges are a lot of things but forgiving isn’t a word I would use to describe them. If you’re a high-handicap golfer, I would avoid these wedges until you groove a more consistent swing.
Unlike other wedges, they’re heavy and designed for skilled players who want maximum versatility around the greens. They won’t help with distance or getting the ball high in the air as they’re designed for players who can do that naturally with a faster, more consistent swing.
Are Vokey wedges forged?
Surprisingly, these amazingly constructed wedges are not forged.
Which pros use Vokey wedges?
A ton of PGA Tour pros use (and love) Vokey wedges. As the #1 wedge in golf (alongside the #1 ball in golf), they have big names like Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlay, Cameron Smith and more.
How often should I buy new wedges?
This is a great question as fresh new wedges can have a huge impact on your short game. There’s no one answer as it depends on how frequently you play, how often you hit range balls, and other factors. But I would say that you need to replace wedges more regularly than any other clubs in your bag.
With drivers, they can last a few years but you might upgrade for new technology. Fairway woods, hybrids, and irons can last several years (or more). But wedges need to get replaced more frequently because the grooves wear down quickly. Especially if you practice with wedges a lot on the range or the short game area.
I once read that Tiger Woods plays with new wedges each tournament week! Don’t worry, you don’t need to update them that regularly though.
But you want fresh new grooves because it will help you create more spin. If you’re like most amateur golfers, you want as much spin as possible.
This is great if you get short sided and don’t have a ton of green to work with. Your wedge can bail you out and help you save more pars.
Final Thoughts
The new Vokey wedges are another hit for Titleist and it’s easy to see why they’re so popular with elite players. I think they’re a great choice for mid to low handicap golfers but would advise higher handicap players to use a different wedge. They’re pretty heavy thanks to the shaft and the clubhead itself isn’t very forgiving.
But if you want maximum short game playability, these are the clubs for you. If you love the GW, SW, and LW so much you can even swap out your stock pitching wedge as well.
Just make sure you buy the right grind for your swing type and playing conditions. Then, test them out with different shots and see how much better you can get from close range.
