Titleist Introduces new Vokey Design SM8 Wedges
1/21/2020 | by AmateurGolf.com Equipment Panel
see also: Equipment Reviews
With a "CG-forward" design, the new wedges produce consistent flight and solid feel on full shots or around the green
It’s “gravity forward” for the new Titleist Vokey SM8 wedges. How far forward?
Titleist says the CG hovers in front of the wedge face, in a place Bob Vokey said “we could have never imagined 20 years ago.” The effect for the golfer is that the wedges naturally want to stay square at impact.
Moving the CG forward was accomplished by lengthening the hosels and counterbalancing that weight with high-density tungsten low in the toe.
As with previous generations of Vokey wedges, Tour validation precedes the public launch. And Vokey was pleased with the initial feedback he got in 2019.
“The first time I had guys hit SM8 was on the range at Riviera,” Vokey said, in a press release. “I always listen to the sound they’re making at impact, and it was phenomenal. ‘Solid but soft’ was how they described it… They also talked a lot about the flight. It’s in a better window, it’s more consistent, and they have more control of it. Overall, guys just kept telling me how easy it was to hit every type of shot they wanted to hit.”
Like the two previous Vokey releasers, SM8 offers a progressive CG design to optimize the fight of each loft. The lower the loft, the lower the center of gravity. That way it’s easier for players to hit full wedge shots high and soft, with better flighting on the mid and short range shots from the higher lofts.
PRODUCT DETAILS
Spin Milled Grooves
SM8’s patented Spin Milled grooves are meticulously engineered and cut to the edge to maximize spin and shot control. The Vokey R&D team continues to improve upon its industry-leading groove cutting tolerances, with each groove on every head individually cut and 100% inspected for conformity to the rules of golf. Micro-grooves are individually cut in between grooves, which maximize spin on partial shots. A proprietary heat treatment is applied to the impact area to double the durability of the groove without impacting feel.
Refined Sole Grind Options
Developed through decades of work with the best shot makers in the game, Vokey’s six Tour-proven sole grinds – F, S, M, K, L and D – allow golfers of all skill levels to be precisely fit for their swing type (steep, neutral, shallow), shot making style and course conditions (firm, neutral, soft). SM8 continues to feature the most complete lineup of grind, bounce and loft options, allowing for more creativity and consistency, and giving players of any level the ability to create multiple shots around the green.
Set Makeup Suggestion: Watch What Tour Players Do
One of Vokey’s preferred setups is pairing a higher bounce sand wedge (i.e. SM8 56.14 F) with a lower bounce lob wedge (i.e. SM8 60.08 M). This type of setup – which empowers a player to adjust to firm or soft conditions from the turf or in a bunker without having to change technique – is utilized by both Jordan Spieth (56.10 S and 60.04 L) and Justin Thomas (56.14 F, 60.06 K). Based on this insight, and current PGA Tour tends, the D Grind has been extended to the 54.12 and 56.12 SM8 models, providing players with versatile mid to high bounce sand wedge options.
Finishes
Vokey SM8 wedges are available in Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel, Jet Black and Raw.
Price and Availability
Expanded personalization options have been made available on Vokey’s WedgeWorks site. Vokey SM8 wedges have an MSRP of $159 each. and an at retail date of March 6.
Titleist says the CG hovers in front of the wedge face, in a place Bob Vokey said “we could have never imagined 20 years ago.” The effect for the golfer is that the wedges naturally want to stay square at impact.
Moving the CG forward was accomplished by lengthening the hosels and counterbalancing that weight with high-density tungsten low in the toe.
As with previous generations of Vokey wedges, Tour validation precedes the public launch. And Vokey was pleased with the initial feedback he got in 2019.
“The first time I had guys hit SM8 was on the range at Riviera,” Vokey said, in a press release. “I always listen to the sound they’re making at impact, and it was phenomenal. ‘Solid but soft’ was how they described it… They also talked a lot about the flight. It’s in a better window, it’s more consistent, and they have more control of it. Overall, guys just kept telling me how easy it was to hit every type of shot they wanted to hit.”
Like the two previous Vokey releasers, SM8 offers a progressive CG design to optimize the fight of each loft. The lower the loft, the lower the center of gravity. That way it’s easier for players to hit full wedge shots high and soft, with better flighting on the mid and short range shots from the higher lofts.
PRODUCT DETAILS
Spin Milled Grooves
SM8’s patented Spin Milled grooves are meticulously engineered and cut to the edge to maximize spin and shot control. The Vokey R&D team continues to improve upon its industry-leading groove cutting tolerances, with each groove on every head individually cut and 100% inspected for conformity to the rules of golf. Micro-grooves are individually cut in between grooves, which maximize spin on partial shots. A proprietary heat treatment is applied to the impact area to double the durability of the groove without impacting feel.
Refined Sole Grind Options
Developed through decades of work with the best shot makers in the game, Vokey’s six Tour-proven sole grinds – F, S, M, K, L and D – allow golfers of all skill levels to be precisely fit for their swing type (steep, neutral, shallow), shot making style and course conditions (firm, neutral, soft). SM8 continues to feature the most complete lineup of grind, bounce and loft options, allowing for more creativity and consistency, and giving players of any level the ability to create multiple shots around the green.
Set Makeup Suggestion: Watch What Tour Players Do
One of Vokey’s preferred setups is pairing a higher bounce sand wedge (i.e. SM8 56.14 F) with a lower bounce lob wedge (i.e. SM8 60.08 M). This type of setup – which empowers a player to adjust to firm or soft conditions from the turf or in a bunker without having to change technique – is utilized by both Jordan Spieth (56.10 S and 60.04 L) and Justin Thomas (56.14 F, 60.06 K). Based on this insight, and current PGA Tour tends, the D Grind has been extended to the 54.12 and 56.12 SM8 models, providing players with versatile mid to high bounce sand wedge options.
Finishes
Vokey SM8 wedges are available in Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel, Jet Black and Raw.
Price and Availability
Expanded personalization options have been made available on Vokey’s WedgeWorks site. Vokey SM8 wedges have an MSRP of $159 each. and an at retail date of March 6.
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