Equipment

New WedgeWorks 456.14 commemorates a very special Vokey anniversary

Published

7 years ago

Jun 7, 2017

In July 1997, Bob Vokey’s first wedge went into play on the PGA Tour at the FedEx St. Jude Classic. In the 20 years since, his wedges have become the most popular models on the PGA Tour. They are now dozens of Vokey wedge configurations available to golfers, but it all started with the one wedge that Vokey has recreated for a very special WedgeWorks launch. Vokey_45614_Limited_3

At the time, the special wedge that went in the bag of PGA Tour player Andy Bean in Memphis was just a prototype — the only markings on Bean’s wedge were the Titleist script and loft — but the wedge became known as the 456.14. The leading number (4) indicated that the wedge was a part of Vokey’s 400 Series, while 56 noted the loft and 14 noted the bounce (both measured in degrees).

”I had two in my bag, and let Andy try it,” Vokey says. “He canned the first one and lipped out the second one, and he says to me, ‘Voke, I’ve got to put this in play!'”

After confirming with Titleist’s R&D team that the wedge was conforming, Vokey obliged and Bean became the first PGA Tour player to use a Vokey wedge in competition.

The new, limited-edition wedges have the same rounded shape and increased offset as the original 456-14, and they’re currently available for purchase through Vokey.com or by custom order for $250. They have a polished-chrome finish, as well as Vokey’s new TX4 groove configuration, which are inspected for maximum sharpness and have a parallel face texture that the company says delivers more backspin and control. They’re also customizable with different stampings, characters paintfill, shafts, grips, shaft bands and ferrules.

Vokey_45614_Limited_1

Vokey says the added bounce of the 456-14 makes it best for golfers who play in soft conditions and soft sand, as well as those with steeper angles of attack.

Another important day for Bob Vokey this summer will come at the RBC Canadian Open, where the Verdun, Québec, native will be inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. Vokey was born in Montreal and joined Titleist in 1996.

“This is something I would never have dreamed of as a young boy growing up in Verdun, working in my Dad’s machine shop,” Vokey says. “I’ve never forgotten where I came from, so to see my name on the same list of Canadian golf legends is overwhelming. I have always been surrounded by passionate, hardworking people who love the game as much as I do. This honor really is a reflection of everybody that has provided me the opportunities to live out my passion over the past 50 years in golf.”

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12 Comments

Mad-Mex

Jun 13, 2017 at 5:11 am

Nah,,,, I’ll stick with Cleveland 588’s ,,,,,,

Reply Report comment
Dave R

Jun 8, 2017 at 5:05 pm

Ya but aren’t you supposed to change you’re wedges every year? I think I read an article about that somewhere oh ya it was here.

Reply Report comment
Warrick Lawrence

Jun 8, 2017 at 5:27 am

$250 for a single wedge does seem a bit steep, but then it is a commemorative piece. I don’t think you would actually play with one, but rather have it over the bar or displayed in your “Man cave”
Ideal father’s day gift..from dad, (me)… to dad(me).
But wait , I see he also has a signature series??? Which is more collectable?

Reply Report comment
Duk Koo Kim

Jun 8, 2017 at 5:00 am

Huh, whaaaa only $2500 for a wedge?! That’s peanuts!! Oh wait, I thought I was in year 2080!

$250!!!! Ahahahahahahahahaha!!! Come on Voke, dude, really……..2 fiddy, for a hunk ‘o steel?

Please!!! Get ‘th kuhp (backwards) outta here!!

Reply Report comment
Com

Jun 8, 2017 at 3:07 am

Spoken like a person who truly knows nothing, again. Well done. Congrats.

Reply Report comment
KC

Jun 7, 2017 at 3:59 pm

$250 for a wedge is insane. Love my Vokeys but I got both of mine for $250 and they perform exactly the same as this one.

Reply Report comment
coastieyaker

Jun 7, 2017 at 11:56 am

I am so fed up with overpriced gear. Vokey/Titleist should be ashamed for gouging the consumer the way they do.

Reply Report comment
- C
  
  Jun 8, 2017 at 1:42 pm
  
  It’s not gouging if you have a choice.
  
  Reply Report comment
Xav

Jun 7, 2017 at 11:38 am

Why not play the original release if one can be found in mint condition?

Reply Report comment
- Tom1
  
  Jun 7, 2017 at 7:08 pm
  
  “if” this design is over twenty years old ya would have better luck finding a hooker with all her teeth.
  
  Reply Report comment
- C
  
  Jun 8, 2017 at 1:43 pm
  
  Doubt the grooves would be conforming.
  
  Reply Report comment
Tom1

Jun 7, 2017 at 11:10 am

one of the best wedge design. I will gladly try em’

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Whats in the Bag

Team McIlowry (Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry) winning WITBs: 2024 Zurich Classic

Published

6 hours ago

Apr 28, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

Rory McIlroy WITB

Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @8.25) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X (45 inches)

3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8 X

Check out more in-hand photos of Rory McIlroy’s WITB in the forums.

5-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (18 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 9 X

Irons: TaylorMade Proto (4), TaylorMade Rors Proto (5-9) Buy here.
Shaft: Project X 7.0 (4-9)

Check out more in-hand photos of Rory McIlroy’s WITB in the forums.

Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (46-09SB, 50-09SB, 54-11SB) Buy here, Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks (58-K @59) Buy here.
Shafts: Project X 6.5 (46-54), Project X 6.5 Wedge (60)

Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour X3 Buy here.
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol Tour

Check out more in-hand photos of Rory McIlroy’s WITB in the forums.

Ball: 2024 TaylorMade TP5x Buy here.

Grips: Golf Pride MCC

Check out more in-hand photos of Rory McIlroy’s WITB in the forums.

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Shane Lowry WITB

Shane Lowry what’s in the bag accurate as of the Cognizant Classic.

Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II (8.5 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ White 70 TX

5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus Buy here.
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8 X

Check out more in-hand photos of Shane Lowry’s clubs here.

Irons: Srixon ZX Utility (3, 20 degrees) Buy here, Srixon ZX5 Mk II (4, 5) Buy here, Srixon ZX7 Mk II (6-PW) Buy here.
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X (3), KBS Tour 130 X (4-PW)

Wedges: Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore Tour Rack (50-10 MID, 54-10 MID) Buy here, Cleveland RTX Full Face (58-8) Buy here.
Shafts: KBS Tour Wedge X Black

Check out more in-hand photos of Shane Lowry’s clubs here.

Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour Z Buy here.
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Pistol 1.0

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet

Ball: Srixon Z-Star XV Buy here.

Check out more in-hand photos of Shane Lowry’s clubs here.

The winning WITB is presented by 2nd Swing Golf. 2nd Swing has more than 100,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.

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Whats in the Bag

Steve Stricker WITB 2024 (April)

Published

3 days ago

Apr 26, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

Steve Stricker WITB accurate as of the Zurich Classic. More photos from the event here.

Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, C4 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 7.2 X

3-wood: Titleist 915F (13.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX

Check out more in-hand photos of Steve Stricker’s clubs here.

Hybrid: Titleist 816 H1 (17 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 9.2 X

Irons: Titleist T200 (3, 4), Titleist T100 (5-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.5

Check out more in-hand photos of Steve Stricker’s clubs here.

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8 (46-10F @55), Titleist Vokey SM10 (54-10S @53), Titleist Vokey SM4 (60 @59)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 w/Sensicore