Equipment
Titleist Vokey SM5 Wedges
Titleist’s new Vokey SM5 wedges offer golfers more tour-preferred grind and bounce options, as well as more spin from their larger third-generation Spin Milled grooves.
The new “TX3” grooves have a 7-percent larger groove volume in two different configurations. The grooves are deeper and narrower on the 46-to-54 degree wedges than the previous generation to deliver better distance and trajectory control, reducing the chance of flyers from the rough.
“On tour these guys have to aim to a lot of small targets,” said Aaron Dill, who builds and grinds Vokey wedges for PGA Tour players. “They need to trust that their golf ball will travel the exact distance they need it to, even from a tough lie in the rough. The deep and narrow TX3 groove helps push the grass down better, which gives you that increased edge radius contact for more spin and consistent distance.”
Above: A Vokey SM5 56-degree wedge with 10 degrees of bounce, an “M Grind” and a “Raw Black” finish.
On the 56-to-62 degree SM5 wedges, the grooves are the same width as the previous generation, but they have a greater depth that adds roughly 400 rpm more spin on full shots from the rough, according to company testing.
“The groove configuration changes with the [56-degree] model because this is where testing showed that the player makes a more oblique impact versus a more direct impact in the lower lofts,” said Master Craftsman Bob Vokey. “The wider TX3 groove on the higher lofts will sheer away the grass, rather than pushing it into the groove, and perform better on partial shots.”
The SM5 wedges are cast from 8620 carbon steel, and are available in lofts from 46 degrees to 62 degrees in two-degree increments. They come in six tour-inspired sole grinds (L, T, S, M, F and K), with each model sorted into low-, mid- and high-bounce categories. That creates a selection of 21 different loft, bounce and grind combinations.
The wedges will be available in stores March 14 in three different finishes — Tour Chrome, Gold Nickel and Raw Black — and will sell for $129. The Tour Chrome and Gold Nickel are plated finishes, while the Raw Black finish will rust over time.
SM5 Sole Grind Descriptions
- L Grind: Narrow crescent sole with small forward bounce surface and minimal camber. Swing type: Slider. Condition type: Firm.
- T Grind: Dual bounce sole with wide trailing bounce surface. Swing type: Slider/Neutral. Condition type: Firm/Medium.
- S Grind: Full sole with straight trailing edge ribbon and moderate heel relief. Swing type: Slider/Neutral. Condition type: Firm/Medium/Soft.
- M Grind: Crescent sole with narrow forward bounce surface and moderate camber. Swing type: Slider/Neutral. Condition type: Firm/Medium.
- F Grind: Full sole with moderate camber and small trailing edge ribbon. Swing type: Slider/Neutral/Digger. Condition type: Firm/Medium/Soft.
- K Grind: Wide sole with increased bounce and enhanced camber. Swing type: Neutral/Digger. Condition type: Medium/Soft.
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @raw10628 has a L.A.B. DF3 putter and Masters putter cover up for grabs.
From the listing: “Some great items here today, time to thin out and make room for next set of gear. All prices include shipping.
LAB DF3 Purple 33.5” 68° lie with TPT – $725. LAB Masters release DF3 cover – $150.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 5-M4
3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
5-wood: Ping G440 Max (19 degrees @18)
Shaft: Accra TourZ Green 6-M4
Hybrid: Ping G440 (23 degrees)
Shaft: Oban Isawa Red Hybrid Shaft 04 Flex 70 Gms
Irons: Srixon ZXi7 (5-P)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i80
Wedges: Cleveland RTZ (50-MID, 54-FULL, 58-MID)
Shafts: Aerotech SteelFiber Private Reserve i105
Putter: L.A.B. Golf OZ.1i
Shaft: ACCRA Putter Shaft
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
In our forums, one user is sharing details of a recent round in which his playing partner was gaming an…unconventional driving iron.
@AbSWFPGA explained:
“Played with a kid the other day who was a good player and he used a TaylorMade qi max hl 4 iron as a driving iron. He hit it off a lot of tees and it was pretty money. I looked up the 4 iron in that set and it’s 18.5 degrees so that would make for a good driving iron in terms of loft. Has anyone done this and could share some feedback? Thanks”
Our members have been sharing their own perspectives and experiences with unique driving irons in the forum.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- Dave33: “I just got a new set of irons, Ping I540’s, and the 4 iron is 19 degrees. That’s basically as strong as the 2 iron in my 30 yr old custom set its replacing and I used to hit that 2 iron off the tee all the time. The I540 4 iron off the tee is an awesome club. ”
- Santiago Golf: “I have tried this a few times and they always went too high … Never really the stinger height I was looking for. I got a IDEA Pro style hybrid and it was the perfect mid launching club I was looking for.”
- DircaDelta: “I basically do this with a JPX 925 Hot Metal Pro 4iron (19 degrees). I tried a few driving irons but honestly this probably fits me best due to the shorter length, but it’s still hot and still has a wide sole which is nice. Great off the tee, turf, and punchy shots to lay-up on par 5s or get out of trouble. It has the same shaft as my irons (Modus 120X) so I could probably get more out of it from a different shaft, but it fits what I need in terms of gapping from my 5 iron (JPX Forged) and gapping and launch from my short 5 wood. I think it’s a good (and often cheaper) route so long as you can find one that suits your eye and gapping needs. I don’t like offset so the HMP’s help in the optics department over a “more typical” game improvement iron.”
Entire Thread: “Game Improvement Iron as a Driving Iron?”
If you’re not already a member, join is in the GolfWRX forums today!
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Leglikewood
Feb 15, 2016 at 3:16 pm
What would be the standard bounce/grind setup for a 56 and 60?
Curtis
May 1, 2014 at 12:52 pm
Can’t wait for my wedgework sm5’s this weekend!!
Brian
Mar 22, 2014 at 1:33 pm
What’s the difference between tour chrome finish and gold nickel finish? Durability wise? Purely cosmetic?
Gary Lewis
Mar 22, 2014 at 3:04 pm
I think it is pretty much cosmetic. The Gold might not reflect the sunlight as much as the chrome.
Brian
Mar 23, 2014 at 11:29 am
Thanks! I have black nickel irons and was hoping for a return of that in the wedges but I don’t mind the gold nickel.
Gary Lewis
Mar 2, 2014 at 9:57 am
Nice looking wedges and Vokey is continuing to try to improve on a winning formula, and I would bet they will kick ass on the marketplace. Sounds like Vokey has been able to increase the performance with the grooves. Kudos on that. I have just bought a few of the Cally Mack Daddy 2’s, which I like very much, but the SM5 looks like another winner too and it appears he likes Mizunos idea on the grooves. Can’t wait to see these in person.
Jericho
Feb 5, 2014 at 3:13 pm
just had a set of mp-4’s built matched with x100’s played Monterey on my birthday for the first time with these was 4 under through 14 then gave it back away for an even par 71 ..I’ll take it.. with that said..do I get mp t4 wedgeswith s400 to keep the same feel or wait for sm5’s..kinda leaning towards mp t4 ?
Rich
Jan 22, 2014 at 4:14 pm
Never been excited about a Vokey line before but I’m very keen to see these. I’m getting sick of my ’09 X Forged wedges (even though the original MD grooves were cavernous!) and these look nice.
simon
Jan 22, 2014 at 3:01 pm
Very much like my Mizuno’s design only with less feel.
There does seem to be more options with the SM 5 but the lack of forging keeps the Mizzy’s in my bag.
sam Brooks
Jan 22, 2014 at 1:31 pm
Yea sounds like they have use mizunos quad cut idea.. Mizunos have some crazy bite on partials even when chipping you can control the spin really well.. Hmm yea think I’ll stick with mizzys
Chris S
Jan 22, 2014 at 7:35 pm
absofreakinlutely. I bought two Vokey wedges for a total of nearly $400 last year and they won’t be in the bag this year. I would be willing to pay more for forged versions because the grinds are great. Just wish the feel was there.
sam Brooks
Jan 22, 2014 at 1:30 pm
Sweet..
Mark Burke
Jan 22, 2014 at 9:28 am
When I was living in the Tubes in Palm Springs. I never thought I would see a day when vokey would offer so many options on their stock wedges. Now if I can only get my shot on tour, I can maybe use these wedges to get me to the promise land. My caddy New York is coaching me up right now, this year is the year I clear my name.
Harry Dorton
Jan 21, 2014 at 10:25 pm
Look like every other Vokey of past 15 years.
Chris G
Jan 21, 2014 at 9:12 pm
So excited for these. Has noticed a big drop in spin on partial shots with SM4’s. glad to see they fixed that issue. Raw Black in 46,54 and 60 for me please.
Harry Dorton
Jan 21, 2014 at 10:24 pm
I am sure it is the club.
Troll
Feb 24, 2014 at 9:16 pm
Harry’s taking out his 18th hole frustrations on everyone else
Phil
Jan 21, 2014 at 2:44 pm
Sounds like Mizuno design with the different grooves.
Kimmy
Jan 21, 2014 at 1:39 pm
Does Raw Black mean it will rust?
Deaus
Jan 21, 2014 at 2:31 pm
Yes, it will rust. Rust can provide extra spin some say. If you dont like the rust you can use an oil that Vokey has, or stuff I use called SCHUTZ, I have a set of PVD irons that rust really easy but this oil prevents it.
Dave
Jan 21, 2014 at 3:16 pm
Does the oil mess with spin? More of a question of whether oil residue stays on the club, which I would expect to impact spin / crisp contact.
John Aiello
Jan 21, 2014 at 12:30 pm
These look great. My only wish was that they did not add the bounce number in red below the loft number on the toe of the club. I think it looks cheesy.
Jeremy
Jan 21, 2014 at 9:56 am
Will all of the SM5 finishes be offered in Left Hand?
Cole
Feb 5, 2014 at 4:37 pm
The tour chrome and raw black are available in LH but I am not sure about the gold nickel