Equipment
Spotted: Titleist’s new Vokey SM7 wedges
As promised by Bob Vokey on our new 19th Hole podcast (around the 19-minute mark), Titleist has unveiled its new Vokey SM7 wedges at the Shriner Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas. We have so many in-hand photos of the new wedges they needed to be broken up into two photo albums; here’s Part 1 and Part 2 of the photos.
SM6 (left) vs new SM7
From the photos, we can tell that Titleist is sticking with it’s progressive center of gravity (CG) design that was featured in its SM6 wedges, highlighted by the curves on the back cavities of the new SM7 wedges. Although in this year’s model — at least when comparing the 46-degree F Grinds — it appears the curve is going in the opposite direction, possibly relocating the CG for different launch, flight characteristics and spin.
Among some aesthetic changes, such as the placement of grind stampings, Titleist is also apparently introducing a new “D” grind into this lineup. Some GolfWRX members speculate it could stand for “Dill,” as in Titleist’s PGA Tour rep and grind master Aaron Dill, or as in PGA Tour player and major champion Jason Dufner, who uses a unique grind in his wedges.
We’ll be on the lookout for more information on design, specs and release dates for the new SM7 wedges, but for now, enjoy the photos from Las Vegas.
More Photos of the SM7 wedges
Discussion: See what GolfWRX members are saying about the SM7 wedges in Pt. 1 and Pt. 2 in our forums
Odyssey Golf announced Tuesday that the already popular Damascus Milled putter lineup is getting more options.
Initially launched back in April, only in a Damascus Milled #7 head (in plumbers or double bend configurations), the family grows to four with a One Wide, Two and Rossie S shape, all available in the second limited-edition drop at retail on June 6th.
“Damascus Steel is a beautiful material, and the patterns tell the story, because every one is different” said Odyssey General Manager, Jacob Davidson. “But what stands out is that as beautiful as these putters are, the feedback from Tour has been the exceptional feel of these putters. We wanted to deliver the most premium performance-driven putter we’ve ever done at Odyssey. When you look at this product, we have so much confidence because there is not one thing we’d do different. On this one we really took our time over the last couple years to try to perfect the design.”
Created from a layered construction of multiple steel alloys, this Damascus Steel insert is forged, folded and pressed to create a unique, striking pattern in every piece. Think of it like a fingerprint. Each Damascus construction comes with its own 1-of-1 style pattern. No offerings will ever look the same.
The layered structure, combined with a specialized heat treatment, delivers a finely tuned, highly responsive feel different from other insert materials. The Damascus steel is audibly different compared to other inserts, potentially with slightly more feedback. Odyssey also uses AI-designed back contours to maintain consistent ball speed across the face, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern tech.
Each head in the line is precision-milled from stainless steel and features a blasted silver finish to complement the Damascus insert and sole plates.
With Tour feedback, Odyssey has also developed, in collaboration with Golf Pride, a grip featuring meticulously crafted edges, pistol shaping and a classic modern tour feel.
L.A.B. Golf has been the pioneer when it comes to Lie Angle Balanced putters for years now. When you talk to another golfer and zero torque putters comes up, as it will since it is the hottest thing in golf, the first brand out of their mouthes is L.A.B. Golf. Currently their putter line up has something for every golfer, wether your like blades or mallets. But the company has a new creation for golfers that we saw out on tour just a few weeks ago and is now available to us, the VZN.1i putter.
One of the big stories with the new VZN.1i putter is alignment in the form of the shape. L.A.B. has always given us plenty of alignment options in their putters with different line formations and shapes that can be laser etched onto the top of the putter. With this new design they used the shape of the head and the open cavity in the middle to help enhance the alignment for players. These shapes help players lock into their intended line to improve accuracy and concistency.
“VZN.1i was approached formulaically by combining everything we’ve learned from the success of previous L.A.B. Golf models into a familiar mallet shape that’s easy on the eyes and even easier to putt with,” said Cameron Day, Senior Vice President of Product at L.A.B. Golf. “Every L.A.B. putter is engineered to roll the ball on its intended line through Lie Angle Balance technology. With VZN.1i, we took things a step further by simplifying another critical aspect of putting: alignment.”
Like most of the other L.A.B. mallet putters the VZN.1i is machined from a solid block of aluminum and features a 303 stainless steel face insert. Steel face inserts on all L.A.B. putters not only enhance the sound and feel but they improve ball speed for better distance control. The new shaping also offers two ways of picking up your ball, using the sole or the rear flange can scoop up the ball. The company is offering the VZN.1i with a 1.5 degree forward shaft lean or a vertical shaft option in order to fit more golfers. Each VZN.1i is hand balanced and 10 other stages before it is complete and ready to ship. L.A.B. has its custom program where the golfer can select their length and lie but also head color, shaft upgrades, and grips to make their VZN.1i fit them perfectly.
The VZN.1i is available now starting at $499 for stock models and $599 for custom.
In our forums, one user has asked a question sure to interest all sorts of golfers. What’s the most comfortable walking shoe of 2026?
@RobDMB posed the following question:
“Looking for suggestions/recommendations on the currently available most comfortable walking shoes – preferably waterproof. Essentially looking for something comfortable like a running shoe, but with some stability and waterproof for golf. Decent room in toe box as well. Any recommendations are appreciated. Thanks!”
Our members in the forum have been sharing their own recommendations on the best walking shoes that can also survive a number of golf rounds. 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.
- SheriffBooth: “To check all your boxes I’d vote for whichever of the current Nike lineup fits your feet the best. Obviously the Victory Pro 4 and Victory Tour 4 are good enough for the two best players in the world, but the new Pegasus, Next% Tour 3, and Tempo all look really good too.”
- i*windows: “when I had issues with my feet I played in Asics running shoes they were a little bit like the hoka’s above, very comfortable, now I’m back to Ecco shoes which are great.”
- mshills: “Everyone’s feet are different so this will be a long list of lots of different shoes. For me, anything from Ecco’s Biom lineup. Nothing else comes close.”
Entire Thread: “2026 Edition: Most Comfortable Walking Shoe?”
If you aren’t a member, join us in the GolfWRX forums today!
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Acew7iron
Oct 31, 2017 at 2:50 pm
jwowzer…ban is for USGA sanctioned events and amateurs can play the old grooves until 2022. guess your a pro though, so don’t you already have the SM8s?
By then Ill have the face as smooth as babys bottom and ready to buy a 6 yo SM7 inlike new condition for $25
Dan
Oct 31, 2017 at 1:42 pm
Looks great!! I really wish Bob will produce the entire Iron range with his wedge design before he retires.
Bob Jacobs
Oct 31, 2017 at 12:53 pm
looks like just another wedge to me…tough to get all that excited
C.B.
Oct 31, 2017 at 3:04 am
No CBs? Where’s the Cleveland copy from Titleist? I need to make my AP1 set complete and I need a set of AP1 type wedge in SW and LW. lol
TigerMom
Oct 30, 2017 at 8:39 pm
The SM6 looks frowny 🙁 and the SM7 looks smiley 🙂
ronnie
Oct 30, 2017 at 8:34 pm
Awesome Vokey’s and I want them in my Fantasy WITB
Acew7iron
Oct 30, 2017 at 5:09 pm
So I just purchased a 06 model Vokey 200 series 60 deg wedge off ebay for $25 in like new condition.
What is *better about this one than what Im bagging?
Steve
Oct 30, 2017 at 5:39 pm
It’s Vokey/Titleist “brand new” and the latest shiny bright Vokey Design.
Yours is old and second hand and has no new mojo designed into it by Vokey Design.
Otherwise, there is no significant difference if you are a decent golfer and you don’t flaunt your WITB.
Jwowzer
Oct 30, 2017 at 5:41 pm
The SM7 wedges are conforming to the rules, whereas yours is not. Hope you don’t plan on playing in any events ever.
Dat
Oct 30, 2017 at 8:45 pm
jwowzer…ban is for USGA sanctioned events and amateurs can play the old grooves until 2022. guess your a pro though, so don’t you already have the SM8s?
Chuck
Oct 31, 2017 at 4:21 am
2024 actually. And even then, the decision of the USGA might be to just let it go anyway.
Remember that the old grooves have never been made illegal. The USGA imposed its rule only on wedges built after a certain date. (After 12/31/10, if memory serves me.) And only via a “condition of competition,” which the USGA recommends be utilized only in elite-level competitions.
Darryl
Nov 16, 2017 at 7:53 am
As I’m given to understand also, the onus is on the tournament committee to prove your club is non conforming, which means they need to have the (no doubt very expensive) test rig.
Someone may correct me on that.
Either way my Mizuno TP 2000’s are good until 2024 :-))
Stinger26
Oct 30, 2017 at 4:51 pm
still no forged offerings. much of the same.
The dude
Oct 30, 2017 at 8:45 pm
Why do you want a forged wedge?.
Steve Sands
Oct 30, 2017 at 10:44 pm
Everybody wants a Forged wedge….why don’t you? We’ve been asking Vokey forever, and he makes them for the Japanese market which is much smaller than the USA market. Have you ever hit a Callaway X Forged wedges flush or a Mizuno MP series? There is no comparing a Forged wedge to the cast.
The dude
Oct 31, 2017 at 8:50 am
….I knew you’d say that….point is..you don’t know the difference…(don’t bother saying you do)….with a high lofted club…it’s almost impossible to distinguish. And Cast has the benefit of durability for amateurs. Also…Why do you think so many tour players use Vokes?
Scott
Nov 1, 2017 at 11:33 am
uhh. being paid maybe?
Pat
Dec 8, 2017 at 11:24 am
Steve Sands, cost. Would you buy a set of 3 wedges at $350 each JUST because they’re forged?
Geof
Oct 30, 2017 at 3:51 pm
this is a joke!
IcomingElizabeth
Oct 30, 2017 at 4:34 pm
Awesome post…what is?!?
Donnie
Oct 30, 2017 at 8:40 pm
Vokey = Jokey = Dopey