Equipment
Bob Vokey reveals the 2 most amazing things he’s ever seen a golfer do with a wedge
Few people on the planet know wedges better than legendary designer Bob Vokey. Throughout his career, he has designed some of golf’s most popular club families with his Vokey Spin Milled (SM) series, and he’s also worked closely with the game’s greatest short game players ever.
In a recent Q&A with GolfWRX, Vokey provided his insight on the latest iteration of SM wedges – the new Titleist Vokey SM9 wedges for 2022. Vokey, who is ever passionate and always gracious with his time to talk short game, also took a moment to answer a few miscellaneous questions about his experiences throughout his decades in the industry.
Vokey has seen it all when it comes to wedge play. He’s worked with everyone from the legends and major champions, to everyday golfers who shank balls sideways on simple chip shots.
With a moment to pick his brain, I wanted to know what the most amazing thing that Vokey has ever seen a golfer do with a wedge. In response, he provided two quick stories of absolute gold, and, given the players involved, his answers should surprise no one.
1) Seve practiced his weaknesses
Seve Ballesteros, a 9-time PGA Tour champion and 50-time European Tour champion, is regarded by many golfers as having the best short game of all time. His other-worldly skill was matched by his confidence and flair for the dramatic, too.
While Seve could make the ball sing and dance on the greens like no other, it was a simple moment that stood out to Vokey, and it says so much about Seve’s true talent and bravado.
“I remember seeing Seve practicing greenside, and he’s hitting all these difficult shots. I said to him, ‘What are you hitting those for?’
“He said, ‘I can make all the other shots. These are the ones I can’t make.'”
It’s such a simple story, but it says so much about Seve’s short game genius and mettle.
2) Lee, the spin master
Most golfers want to spin the ball more with their wedges around the greens. Not only does it look cool when the ball comes running in low and then suddenly stops on a dime, but spin control also allows a golfer to get the ball closer to the pin more often.
And then there’s Lee Trevino.
As Vokey tells it, not only could Trevino impart impressive backspin, but he could control the direction of the spin when it hit the surface, with seemingly no difference in the swing itself.
“Lee Trevino was another. I was watching him at (The Citrus Club at La Quinta Resort) many years ago.
“And he could hit a shot, same motion, same everything, a little bump and run. One shot would land and kick left. Then, with the same motion, same everything, he’d hit another one, then it’d land and kick right. And I’d go, ‘Wait a second, that’s amazing.’ But [those players] could do that. That was back in the balata golf ball days, too. The golf ball’s a little different now, it comes off a little quick.'”
To read Vokey’s insights on the new Vokey SM9 wedges for 2022, click here!
- LIKE239
- LEGIT26
- WOW20
- LOL7
- IDHT6
- FLOP5
- OB4
- SHANK7
- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
View this post on Instagram
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
View this post on Instagram
TaylorMade PUDI
TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
- LIKE12
- LEGIT4
- WOW3
- LOL2
- IDHT1
- FLOP1
- OB1
- SHANK2
Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that 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, there is a listing for a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
- LIKE1
- LEGIT1
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
Kris Kim WITB 2024 (May)
Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here....
Richy Werenski WITB 2024 (May)
Richy Werenski what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Houston Open. Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1...
Wesley Bryan WITB 2024 (May)
Wesley Bryan what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple...
Adam Scott WITB 2024 (May)
Adam Scott what’s in the bag accurate as of the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (10.5 degrees)...
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoJustin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoTwo star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoReport: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoNeal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoBrandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why
-
19th Hole1 week agoLET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you
-
Equipment2 weeks agoJason Day on his recent switch into Srixon ZX5 and ZX7 Mk II irons
I know donkeys
Feb 1, 2022 at 9:59 pm
Matt Kuchar is a big donkey!
Heehaw, heehaw, heeha….
Joey
Jan 31, 2022 at 8:48 pm
Click bait
Ronnie Mundt
Jan 31, 2022 at 2:55 pm
The best part is they did it without the use of the magic Vokey wedge. See kids, practice, not purchase.
mondo
Jan 31, 2022 at 5:11 pm
*cough cough he ground them custom wedges before he had a deal with titleist…But I see what you mean lol
I. Vote Shank
Feb 1, 2022 at 6:13 pm
He copied a bunch of grinds. I have wedges from the 50s, 60s, and 70s that have the exact grinds we still use today. Solheim was the last “innovator” of wedges.
mick
Jan 31, 2022 at 7:27 pm
100% fact !!