Titleist Vokey SM6 wedges: What you need to know

Published

8 years ago

Jan 26, 2016

Zak Kozuchowski

Vokey SM6 wedges use what’s called a Progressive Center of Gravity, a weighting strategy that positions each wedge’s center of gravity (CG) in a distinct location, depending on loft. It was achieved by altering the shaping of the back of the new wedges.

In the low-lofted wedges (46, 50, 52), Vokey SM6 wedges have a CG that’s lower than SM5 models. It’s aligned with the desired impact area, which increases ball speed by an average of 1.5 mph for 3-5 yards more distance, according to Titleist.

The mid-lofted SM6 wedges (54, 56) use a mid-CG design that looks similar to Vokey’s SM5 wedges.

The high-lofted SM6 wedges (58, 60, 62 degrees) have a high-CG design. Since golfers tend to contact their high-lofted wedge shots higher on the face, the new models will create more consistent launch conditions, and a lower-launching, high-spinning trajectory that can lead to increased stopping power.

Along with better feel, the progressive CG design will improve wedge distance gapping, according to Titleist.

Vokey SM6 wedges are available in five different sole grinds (L, M, S, F, K), which have been slightly tweaked from SM5 models.

Grinds

Voke_SM6_Family

The M grind (available in 54-08, 56-08, 58-08, 60-08, 62-08) has less bounce than SM5 models, and is best for golfers who like to manipulate the face opened or closed to play different wedge shots. In the 62-degree loft, the M Grind replaces the T Grind.

The S Grind (available in 54-10, 56-10, 58-10 and 60-10) has increased bounce compared to SM5 models in the 58- and 60-degree models, and is best for golfers who play most of their shots with the clubface in a square position.

K Grind wedges (available in 58-12 and 60-12) have 1 degree more bounce than SM5 models, which will help golfers resist digging when used in the square position.

The L Grind, most notably used by Jordan Spieth and Jimmy Walker, has increased camber on its sole to help golfers improve versatility. It’s available in 58-04 and 60-04.

Grooves

The SM6 wedges use Titleist’s new TX4 grooves, and its clubfaces have a machine-milled, parallel face texture. SM5 grooves had a radial face texture, which cut into the edges of the groove. According to Titleist, the new grooves are more consistent, and create sharper grooves that can increase spin as much as 200 rpm. As in the SM5 line, each groove is 100 percent inspected at the company’ manufacturing facility.

Pricing, Availability, Finishes, and Custom Options

The SM6 wedges ($149 MAP) are available in stores March 11 in three finishes: Tour Chrome (plated), Steel Gray (plated) and Jet Black. The Jet Black finish is applied through a QPQ (quench, polish, quench) procedure, and will wear to a raw finish over time.

The wedges can be custom ordered in a wide range of custom options (shafts, grips, shaft bands, ferrules, stampings and paintfill) through Titleist’s WedgeWorks program.

Specs

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24 Comments

Mark

Jan 28, 2016 at 12:08 pm

I doubted Davemac’s £145 RRP for the UK market but an e-mail from Titleist today confirmed it. Our Pro was ringing the rep to ask why a 30% price rise when inflation in Britain is negligible and clubs are struggling to keep members….and cutting his order. Crazy pricing and wholly unjustified.

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Gary

Jan 27, 2016 at 11:09 am

Basically copying the idea of Dynacraft golf VLS wedges from 2013 in which there are two adjustable weights in their 52, 56, 60 deg. wedges. Move the heavier weight (17 gram) higher in the head for lower launch or put it lower in the head for higher launch.

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Bar

Jan 27, 2016 at 11:00 am

3-5 yards more with a wedge? is that including half , three quarter , and bunker shots, The lunatics have definitely taken over the asylum.

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Ryan

Jan 26, 2016 at 3:10 pm

Am I the only person on here that hates a raw finish or a wedge that ends up that way? Why do I want to spend all of that money on something that’s going to rust? I never have glare issues and I don’t think that there is a spin benefit, so can anyone shine some light on this for me?

Reply Report comment
- Mike
  
  Jan 26, 2016 at 4:47 pm
  
  Love rusty wedges!
  
  Reply Report comment
- Alex
  
  Jan 26, 2016 at 5:58 pm
  
  I think most people just like the look of a raw or “rusted” wedge. If you haven’t had an occurrence with glare from chrome plated wedges I assure you, you will. There is nothing worse than in the middle of the afternoon with the sun right above you, and you have a short sided bunker shot and you open up the face of your wedge and you are literally blinded.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Matto
  
  Jan 26, 2016 at 11:34 pm
  
  They won’t rust if you treat them well.
  Got my raw SM5’s as soon at they came out. Not a speck of rust on them.
  
  Reply Report comment
- KK
  
  Jan 28, 2016 at 3:46 am
  
  In all honesty, I think its the idea of playing what the pros play. Look at the wedges in the WITB pics on this site. A ton of tour pros have wedges with rust marks on them. Tour pros practice so damn much, they are literally wearing the protective finish off of the club so inevitablly the wedge is going to rust if not kept dry. Someone should post an article with some science that proves rust on a wedge produces more spin.
  
  Reply Report comment
Removed

Jan 26, 2016 at 2:39 pm

I think the weight CG is the lower lofts is a plus if it increases ball speed, but why would I want lower launch if Im hitting a full 60°? If i wanted to hit a lower shot I would move the ball back or hit my 56° or my 52°. What is the rational behind this?
Vokey limiting my ability to have a high launch shot with my 60°? You got this wrong Bob. Who’s been in your ear? Its easy enough to shoot a ball in lower with your 60° if you want. Very easy. So dont take away my ability to hit high launch.

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davemac

Jan 26, 2016 at 10:46 am

I was very keen on these, the changes look exactly what I am after. I have two SM5’s a 54 I love and a 50 that is just so so. I have been waiting to order a 58 / 60 and lowering the CG in the 50 might make all the difference, ideal

Then I looked at the price hike!

Reply Report comment
- Davemac
  
  Jan 26, 2016 at 3:38 pm
  
  UK SM 6 Recommended Retail Price £145
  UK SM5 Recommended Retail Price £109
  
  Reply Report comment
Ian

Jan 26, 2016 at 9:17 am

200rpm more – can anyone (unbiased) confirm this?

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Kevin

Jan 26, 2016 at 9:09 am

No raw finish? Let’s go BV give us what we really want!

Reply Report comment
- RH
  
  Jan 26, 2016 at 9:37 am
  
  The article says the jet black finish will go raw.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Alex
  
  Jan 26, 2016 at 5:59 pm
  
  The Jet Black finish is supposed to be able to be removed easily.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Kevin
    
    Jan 26, 2016 at 8:25 pm
    
    I don’t want black that goes raw. I want raw. I’m confident I’m not the only one. Besides I have the black Sm5 that rusts and it’s still black so unless you work for Vokey I’m not buying what you’re selling.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - Matto
      
      Jan 26, 2016 at 11:38 pm
      
      Yeah I’ve got the black “raw” sm5’s also. Not a speck of rust on them after all this time.
      
      Reply Report comment
    - mp-4
      
      Jan 27, 2016 at 1:02 am
      
      Exactly. Never heard anyone request a ‘steel grey’ finish.
      Why not Tour Chrome, Black and Raw?
      It’s probably because of a potential problem with returns.
      Can imagine people complaining about how their wedge must be defective because it rusted.
      
      Reply Report comment
      - KK
        
        Jan 28, 2016 at 3:56 am
        
        Good point, but I’m not sure it’s returns. I would go with Bob Vokey and Titleist think that if someone has Titleist wedges in their bag that are all rusted and someone who sees them and doesn’t know they are supposed to be that way (only golf dorks like people on golfwrx know this by the way) will think: Titleist wedges cost $120+ and they rust over time, what a rip off. Thus hurting the brand integrity.
        
        Reply Report comment
        
        Mike
        
        Jan 29, 2016 at 9:20 am
        
        The SM5 wedges are available in RAW on Vokey’s Wedge Works site. Perhaps he’ll do the same with the SM6?
        
        Reply Report comment
      - Slowhand
        
        Mar 7, 2016 at 9:16 am
        
        I bought the steel gray. It is the first year I think for that color and I like the finish. Chrome is too bright and I don’t like jet black wedges among my set of clubs. I did like the darker finish option on the SM4 but not seen that exact lighter version of dark since then. I don’t like raw wedges.
        
        Reply Report comment
- Garrett
  
  Feb 4, 2016 at 12:06 pm
  
  Probably will get a 1 year raw release to spike sales. Then SM7 in 2 years without raw option…so on and so forth
  
  Reply Report comment
A

Jan 26, 2016 at 8:35 am

Where can I get fitted for these?

Reply Report comment
- Mike
  
  Jan 29, 2016 at 9:26 am
  
  Sleepy Hollow Country Club in NY not far from New York City if you live in the northeast. They are a regional Titleist fitting account. You can hit everything Titleist has with any shaft they offer using premium balls and Trackman. I went through a wedge fitting last year with Kevin there director of instruction. And the price is way cheaper than going to the main headquarters. $175.00 per hour I think. And you can do a lot in an hour. Probably driver plus iron fitting or irons and wedges. Whatever you need.
  
  Reply Report comment

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A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

1 hour ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.

Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.

We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.

Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).

See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here

Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge

Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.

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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.

See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here

Turning Back the clock

Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.

But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.

For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.

Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.

The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.

The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.

Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter

Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.

Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.

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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.

If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.

Brilliant.

See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here

Stricker’s unrecognizable putter

Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.

Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.

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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates

Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.

Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.

It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.

Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines

Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.

Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.

FitzMagic teams back up

Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.

See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here

And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.

We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!

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