Choosing the right wedge can be imperative to improving a golfer’s short game. Making that choice is far more than simply picking a loft or bounce at random, yet that is still the process many golfers take to buy their wedges.
The new Vokey SM11 lineup is comprised of an industry-leading 27 unique configurations of six tour-proven grinds; F, S, M, D, K and T grinds.
This extensive selection choice allows golfers to find the best wedge setup for their game.
But, are most club golfers aware of the importance of such things? Do you understand the difference before various grind options? Are you aware of the right grind option for your game?
To help give you an idea, Jack Backhouse and Titleist master fitter John Bean explained the Vokey SM11 wedge grinds from his time at Titleist’s National Fitting Centre at Woburn in the latest Your Golf NCG YouTube episode (click on the link above).
F Grind
The F Grind has been a staple of vokey wedges since it was introduced in 1997. It is built for stability and consistency, as well as being the most forgiving option across the whole SM11 line-up.
Equally, it is designed for full swings and therefore the performance depends on predictability.
It is because of this most players aren’t opening or closing the face when using the F Grind so they are able to go through the turf more quickly to allow golfers to be aggressive with their shots.
S Grind
“Your technique is your technique, whether you’re off a mat or you’re off grass,” Backhouse states.
This aligns with the purpose of the S Grind which is to reward consistent delivery and controlled technique.
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It’s a grind that is equipped with more trailing edge relief and a noticeably narrower sole. This helps to promote a solid contact more consistently and is ideal for those who want maximum consistency and smooth turf interaction on square-face shots.
M Grind
“The players love the M Grind, because when they came to links courses in the old days, when it was rock hard, they needed something that sits a little bit closer to the ground,” Bean said.
The M Grind SM11 wedge is built for better creativity around the greens, open-faced shots and forgiveness from the sand.
It promotes this because of the removing of material from the toe, heel, and trailing edge, therefore being able to adapt to a range of on-course scenarios.
D Grind
In many ways, this is considered the big brother of the M Grind. It is crafted to help players with steeper swings to avoid experience their wedges digging into the turf.
Bean explained why matching a players swing to the right grind is imperative, saying; “You might have a player that has shallow swing, but you can still have a grind that fits them.
“Then you’ll have a player that’s really steep, and you’ll have a grind that fits them right, and that all that’s doing is how that grind interacts with the turf.”
K Grind
“But also with the K Grind, we’ve moved that to an effective 12 just to add more versatility around the green, because there’ll be a lot of players that use it in the bunkers,” explained Bean on what Titleist have done to refine the SM11.
This is Vokey’s answer to the need for a more forgiving bunker wedge. To ensure this, they have equipped it with the widest sole out of all the SM11 grinds as well as the most effective bounce.
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T Grind
This is a grind that values precision over forgiveness. It is a low bounce, narrow sole option that will help deliver a variety of different shot types around the greens.
Bean explained the risk of mismatching this grind to the wrong player, as he said; “If you’re really steep and you’ve got a T ground, which then doesn’t have very much sole, it wants to dig.”
