Titleist, Vokey look to reset the bar with new SM8 wedges

By Chris Wallace -- 2nd Swing staff writer

Golfers are extremely fortunate in the modern era to have a number of great wedge options to choose from, as well as an increasing number of sole grinds available to help them execute the shots they need to play on the golf course.

That said, when it comes to golf wedges and wedge design, the industry leader for the last several years has been Titleist and Bob Vokey. And with the introduction of the new Vokey SM8 line, which will be available to the public in the coming weeks, that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.

New Vokey releases are always met with great anticipation, but the excitement has been heightened with SM8, as some dramatic innovations have taken place, most notably with the progressive CG design that Titleist and Vokey first introduced in the SM6 line.

As a refresher, by moving the CG higher or lower based on loft in the SM6 and SM7 line, Vokey and his design team found that they could improve consistency and feel, while also creating the most optimal launch conditions.

In the SM8 line, progressive CG is again the biggest storyline, but this time it’s about the center of gravity having been moved more forward.

“We’re incredibly excited to launch SM8,” said Jeremy Stone, Director of Marketing for Vokey wedges. “The thing that people are going to notice right away is that the high weight pad that was in SM6 and SM7 is now gone. The reason for that is we found from our tour players that when you get weight up but you do it up in the toe area it creates some dynamic lofting, so the club kind of slides underneath the golf ball and can create some inconsistency.

“We saw a huge opportunity for improvement there. What we’ve done is kept the CG up but also pushed it forward. What does it do? It means the club is going to square up more often. You’re going to get more consistent trajectory; you’re going to get better results overall.”

To get the CG where it’s technically now positioned in front of the clubface, Vokey and his engineers lengthened the hosel in the SM8 line and then utilized tungsten weight in the toe to counterbalance that design strategy.

The end result is a wedge that offers seven percent higher MOI than SM7, as well as improved feel and better trajectory control.

It’s also a wedge that touring professionals have immediately fallen in love with and put in their bags at an unprecedented clip.

“The first time I had guys hit SM8 was on the range at Riviera,” Vokey said. “I always listen to the sound they’re making at impact, and it was phenomenal. ‘Solid but soft’ was how they described it. They loved it. That means they’re getting the proper feedback that you need to execute every type of wedge shot.

“They also talked a lot about the flight. It’s in a better window, it’s more consistent, and they have more control. Overall, guys just kept telling me how easy it was to hit every type of shot they wanted to hit.”

Also key to the performance of the SM8 wedges are their Spin Milled grooves, as each groove on every SM8 wedge is individually cut and inspected to ensure that it conforms to USGA rules.

Additionally, micro-grooves are implemented between the grooves to create maximum spin, and each Vokey SM8 clubface undergoes a specialized, proprietary heat treatment to create grooves that are more durable.

Of course, also crucial when it comes to performance will be the six tour-proven sole grinds that are available in the SM8 lineup, each of which is being played by multiple players on professional tours around the world.

Having the right sole grinds in the bag is imperative when it comes to selecting wedges for a number of reasons.

First, golfers need to pick grinds that match their swing characteristics and the course conditions that they most typically encounter. And second, they need to choose sole designs that allow them to hit the types of shots they want to play from 125 yards and in.

Here is how Titleist describes each of the six sole grinds offered in the SM8 lineup:

F Grind: An all-purpose grind that is particularly suited for full shots and shots hit with a square face. Ideal for players who prefer a traditional wedge sole. The F grind is the most played sand wedge on Tour.

M Grind: Designed for players that like to rotate the clubface open and closed to manufacture shots around the green. Ideal for players with a shallower, more sweeping swing type who play shots from a variety of clubface positions.

S Grind: Features a full sole that has been narrowed by a trailing edge grind, giving it a faster feel through the turf. The S Grind is best for neutral to firm conditions and for players that like to control loft with their hands ahead or behind the ball.

D Grind: Blends versatility from a heel, toe, and trailing edge grind and forgiveness with its high measured bounce. The D Grind is ideal for players with a steeper angle of attack who play shots from a variety of clubface positions.

K Grind: The highest bounce wedge in the lineup, and is the ultimate bunker club. The K Grind is a wide, full sole wedge with enhanced camber to make it forgiving from a variety of sand and turf conditions.

L Grind: The lowest bounce grind option in the mix. The heel, toe, and trailing edge relief allow for maximum greenside versatility. The L Grind is perfect for firm conditions and designed for precise players. It is ideal for players that have complete control of impact looking for maximum shot-making versatility.

Also noteworthy about the SM8 lineup are the three unique finishes being offered, as players will be able to choose from Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel, and Jet Black.

Vokey SM8 wedges will also come standard with premium True Temper Dynamic Gold S200 shafts and Tour Velvet 360 grips, and the available lofts will range from 46 and 62 degrees.

Golfers will be able to pre-order SM8 wedges starting February 11, and they will begin shipping and be available in retail stores on March 6.