Exactly. The big surprise to me is that no one over this whole time Vokey had dominated, has quite got as many options as vokey does. I know a few are getting there, but that is what's made vokeys excellent. They are solid wedges but nothing special, however they come in enough options and simplify the grinds enough that generally I can go into a store and do a pretty decent job of getting what best fits my game.
I 2nd this comment. Cleveland no joke has some seriously good wedges. Game a Zipcore RTX 50 degree, a SmartSole 58 degree, and last but not least my SmartSole chipper. No joke the chipper is MONEY from off the fringe
Have had SM4, SM6, SM8 and just bought the SM9 on sale. I’ve also had wedges from the MG line from TM. Vokeys are better (spin, feel, control and trajectory) - not a lot better - but better…the issue is the price for sure but that’s why I always buy the prior year when the new ones come out. And I have 2 bags to equip so that’s driven my buying too. The grind and bounce options are awesome and no one has as many great options.
James, I’d be interested to see how you think the Mizuno T24 wedges compare, … in fact love you to do side by side with Vokey, Mizuno, Callaway, TaylofMade & Ping…there’s a challenge for you and Mr Dennis.😊
Got fit for MG4’s in Oregon where it’s muddy and wet most of the time. Moved to Florida and those wedges were no use. Wanted to go with TaylorMade again but… they have no low bounce left handed options. My only option was Titleist so I went with theSm10, 56-8M and 60-4T. Excited for the to get here, have never used a Vokey before.
Went on a golf trip to Myrtle Beach last week. Picked up an sm10 56.10. I have the sm9 pw, gw and LW. I absolutely feel even more weight in the hosel than my sm9 lob wedge. Really makes the face want to square up at impact. Feels great, nice, low flight. But honestly, I don’t see enough of a difference to justify spending that $189 when there are plenty brand new SM9s still out there for a fraction of the price.
I played Vokey for a couple years and transitioned to Clevelands. I never imagined not hitting Clevelands, hit em for 35 years. Last year I tried the Wilson Staff wedge and was blown away...30% increase in spin on my 58 deg...if you're in the wedge market, you owe it to yourself to give the Staffs a go
I have a wedge fitting next week and sold my Vokey SM8 wedge set in anticipation of the SM10 living up to the hype. In the meantime I got out my Mizuno MP-R12 which I bought new but rarely used. Anyway what’s been interesting for me is how good the MP-R12 feel and perform given these came out around 2012. As such I’m going with an open mind for my fitting and will buy what feels and works best for me.
I game the Jaws MD5, got them ex demo, as a lefty the ex demos had barely been hit, £70 a wedge, great to play with. A mate got some SM9s and got rid of them within 3 months as he hated them.
Literally got fit today for the SM10's. Got them coming in 54-12* and 58-08* in the nickel finish. Much prefer that look over the chrome and black. I had raw wedges before and they didn't seem to spin a ton more for me so....nickel it is.
Love my SM9s. From testing I’ve seen lower lunch and higher spin for more control with the SM10. I think I’ll wait to get the SM10s at a discount when the release the new wedge next year.
The thing about Titleist/Vokey wedges is there are multiple designs for virtually every playing condition. For top players can see the reason, but for average players a good all around wedge (or wedge set) should be enough and I don't see where Vokey wedges are marketed that way. I use a wedge set (SW, LW) with relatively wide soles and minimal bounce and they work just fine.
I have an SM4 60 refinished and it looks and feels a 1000 times better than my SM8. I also have a 2009 Spin milled forged TVD 56 refinished as well and that is by far one of the best feeling wedges I own and I own a LOT of wedges. The new ones are just cast, and clicky and tbh not remotely interested in a finish that wears off so quickly. Try the new MG 4 Taylormades, they feel great and they spin like crazy.
Great vid James. The bottom line is, like current green fees and hotel rates, as long as people are paying these prices with little to no resistance, prices will go up and up and up. They will push it as high and for as long as they can go.
I have been a Vokey fan for years. At one time, I had every Vokey from 48 to 64. Pre-SM and left-handed. Unfortunately, a burglary at my club resulted in the loss of about half. I have the 48, 54, and 58 in one bag and 52, 56, and 60 in the other bag. Mainly because of the loft of my pw in each set. I haven't replaced them all (basically because of cost) and now with some skills waning a little, I considering something with different turf interaction, maybe Takomo ,
Always Vokey for me. Always know how they are going to perform and I have the best results and most confidence in them. Been through several wedge fittings and nothing gets close. That along with all the different grinds they offer made it easy to dial in exactly what I needed. I personally though don't get that hyped when the new release comes out. I buy new wedges when I need them because I've worn out the current model in my bag and not because they released a new version. Happy to upgrade to the new versions when I am purchasing whichever model that may be but don't run out to get the new one when it's released and don't delay it either to wait for a new version. Vokeys are always good with marginal difference from release to release. Because they always look good and the look is minimally changed it doesn't bother me if I end up with two different models in the bag....which often happens because my lob wedge gets replaced every year and my gap and sand wedges every other typically.
I use Cleveland zipcores. That said, I didn't get fit and I have 6 degree bounce in my 56 and 60, they are hard with more touch shots where I don't always consistently make good contact. I may end up needing another wedge that has a bit more bounce for those shots. They are great for full shots
I also do think we’ve reached a spot in golf where the equipment year to year or every two years isn’t go to change much just because of the limitations and how far technology has come. Replacing grooves and shaft fitting will always be important but technology wise, I feel like we’ve hit a wall a little.
Vokey’ s sell because they have the word “Vokey” on them. They are good wedges! I will not debate that at all. I have a 52’ in my bag. Is it better than my Cleveland? Not really. The key is finding the wedge (or any club) that YOU like and spending a good amount of time practicing with them.
I have an SM8 58/10 and it's in real good condition, and I also have a Callaway Mack daddy 2 in 58/10 and it's beat more that a redheaded step child, there's no milling left on the face, the edges of the grooves are just about round, and it still feels better in so many ways than the SM8. I want to like the vokey, I really do. I try them and try them and I just don't get the performance out of them that you can with other wedges. Hell I got a set of wedges for Dunham's to put in a bag of extra clubs I have for friends to use when they wanna go out but don't have their own clubs and they were $50 bucks a piece, they're Rife brand, made in China, I have them is 52, 56, and 60 and they are actually super nice. I feel like they are just a soft feeling and produce just as much, If not more, spin. They even have laser etched micro grooves kinda like the vokey but not as many. It just has two laser lines between each main groove. Blew me away with the performance for the money.
Great in-depth review! You are thorough and concise. Your disclaimer is critical - People watching need to get fit. That’s the key. I politely take what you’ve said a few steps further; I hit SM10 and hated them. Nothing like the Vokeys I remember. The 10s are clicky and too rounded. Hitting them was not an enjoyable experience The Taylormades are certainly one to try and will please many players That being said, nothing beats a Japanese forging. Try Mizunos
New wedge prices are wild. Last time I bought wedges was 2016. Went in for a fitting wanting a SM6 set and ended up leaving with Cleveland. Play once to twice a week maybe 7 months out of the year. Still get over 9,500 spin Don’t buy new wedges unless they are absolutely beat.
Price point off - putting when you can get previous iterations for under £100. Not sure a lot of us would be able to see much difference between SM8 or SM9.
They haven't changed much but if you play alot of golf; the problem is that grooves wear out and you have to buy a new one. I always buy last years version.
Tried the SM10 couple of days ago. Brilliant club and very consistent, but at over £160 per club no thanks. I’m trying the new Pings next week which are £40 per club cheaper. If they perform as well I’ll save myself £120.
I have just had a club fitting last Friday for the sm10 wedges having 4 off them 46 8f grind 52 10s grind 56 10s and 60 12d very consistent at my targets j was aming at
Still playing Cleveland CG16s, absolutely love em, bit worn but you have to judge your game. It’s not all about spin, except for the marketing gurus of course 😂😂😂
Played Vokeys for many years. Replace every couple of years and buy the model that has just been replaced. Just replaced my SM 7s with brand new SM 9s at £99 pound each.
Theyre just more consistent than any Ive found. Not the highest spinning, not the most forgiving. But if I take an SM8-10 58M I know exactly what itll do and it does it every single time. Vokey is a master at if it aint broke dont fix it.
1 FORGE (not cast) 2 Full face grooves 3 continue several grinds and bounces THEN you’ve got a wedge. I cannot for the life of me figure out why these wedges are cast instead of forged.
I like TaylorMade Hi Toe wedges and Cleveland CBX Zipcore would be my second choice. I agree with a comment below, certain clubs in golf seem to be way over rated. Certain Wedges and putters immediately come to mind.
As much as I love the look of the Vokeys they just seem way too heavy for my liking. Not sure why but they are just a different feeling than the other brands.
Not a lot of innovation, regardless of the hype, other than sole grinds. The main issue I have with them is not price, it's that the lob wedge is a 3 piece construction, with a hollow section to move weight around. They feel like crap and they are clicky on chip shots. They used to be forged and these cast models are inferior to the Cold forged or the Japan forged which you can only buy over seas or online for over $300 a head.
I do not believe they are the best wedge. The older, ones were better. Hey dressed it up and have to market a new one. Kind of silly. Mind you, they are nice. You can only do so much to a piece of metal. He should also say they made the steel softer to wear more so you’ll need the buy a new one every year.
Ball position and shaft lean. Ball towards front foot with little shaft lean gives a high shot, ball towards back foot with plenty of forward shaft shaft lean gives a lower one.
James, I do not understand your complaint!!! Is it too expensive, has the wedge not changed enough, is it too expensive!!! Well the answer to your question is, I promise you have a driver that you paid over 500usd that is not a scoring club correct? I do not even know why you made this video!!!
this is gonna be unpopular but.. I've always thought vokeys were over rated? I had sm4s and sm6s a few years back. they were OK but not out of this world.
JR you are forgetting that they have added the heat treatment thus will last longer so therefore any business will ensure that the price reflects this!!!! GROSS / NET profit margin over x2 fiscal years! 🤪🤪🤪
