50 Words or Less
The Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges make modest improvements on the #1 wedge in the game. Elite spin. Grind options to fit every swing and condition.
Introduction
“Don’t step on the rake.”
I learned in my podcast with Aaron Dill and Kevin Tassistro that this is a favorite phrase of Bob Vokey [listen HERE, there’s a ton of great information]. It aptly describes how they went about designing the new Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges. If you have the #1 wedge on Tour, don’t screw it up. The Vokey SM10 makes minor tweaks to raise the bar on performance without altering the essential Vokey DNA.
Looks
Aesthetically, the Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges are a modest change from the classy SM9 [review HERE]. At address, the head is compact and traditional in shape. If you’re looking for an extreme teardrop or round head, you won’t find it here. There is a slight progression in the head shape – rounder at the higher lofts, more iron-like at lower lofts – but it’s subtle. The leading edge also transitions from straight to slightly rounded as the loft increases.
In the bag, the SM10 wedges split the focus between the winged “BV” logo at the top and the strip of chrome that encases the “SM10” and “Vokey Design” branding. The loft and sole designations are moved to the toe for a cleaner look and improved visibility. The Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges are offered in four finishes: Tour Chrome (shown here), Nickel, Jet Black, and Raw.
Through Vokey WedgeWorks, you can opt to have your wedges customized like I did. I opted for the “Tour Saw” stamp on the toe – a throwback to the Vokey SM4 wedges that I gamed many years ago. For the color scheme, I kept it to blue and white, though there are a rainbow of options. Finally, I had them stamped with “Alligator Blood” and “Respect,” references to one of my favorite movies, Rounders, and a reminder to keeping hanging around and make plays I’ll be proud of.
A finishing touch on the customization is a WedgeWorks shaft band. There are a dozen options, and I couldn’t pick just one, though my favorite is the boarding pass sticker.
Sound & Feel
With Titleist’s focus on Tour and highly skilled amateurs, it’s no surprise that the Vokey SM10 wedges provide outstanding feedback. Regardless of skill level, players should be able to feel the impact location easily which will help you to improve your short game.
There is also clear feedback in the sound. On center, the Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges produce a crisp, robust “click.” When you get away from the sweet spot, they get louder, more of a “knock.” Centered contact is also rewarded with a sweet, crisp feel. Mishits feel substantially firmer.
Performance
The Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges are the farthest thing from a wholesale redesign. If you loved SM9, you’ll have no problem transitioning to SM10. The most-discussed tweak is to the CG. In the SM10, Vokey Wedges moved the CG closer to the center of the face. This was done to reduce draw bias, though the CG is still on the heel side of center. Per Vokey, this is done to give players more ability to control the face.
The CG is these wedges is also progressive vertically. In the lower lofts, the CG is lower. In the higher lofts, the CG is higher. This is done to create consistent, strong ball flight. In my testing, I found that the Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges produce a penetrating trajectory. They naturally produce Tour-style wedge shots with lower launch and higher spin.
If there is a hallmark of Vokey wedges that hasn’t changed, it’s elite spin. It’s right in the name: SM standing for Spin Milled. Thanks to that slightly higher CG and some of the best grooves in golf, the Vokey SM10 wedges are at the very top end in terms of spin production. From pitches to full shots, if you can’t spin a Tour ball with these wedges, the problem is your technique, not your equipment. The SM10 wedges also feature a heat treatment on the grooves to enhance their lifespan.
Another thing that Vokey wedges are well known for is a wide array of sole options. The Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges have the largest number of grinds yet, giving players a major incentive to get fit for their swing and local conditions.
In my mind, the six grinds fall into two categories: full soles (F, S, and K) and soles with heavy relief (D, M, and T). The F Grind is a full sole, which is what I chose for my gap wedge. I think it’s a great choice for your full swing wedges. The S Grind adds some relief to the trailing edge which allows players more freedom to control the loft with hand position. Finally, the K Grind is the highest bounce option with a full sole and enhanced camber, ideal for bunkers and soft conditions.
Among the soles with toe, heel, and trailing edge relief, the D Grind has the highest bounce. This is my choice for the sand wedge because I can open the face but still have a lot of protection against digging. The M Grind is suggested for players with shallow swings who like to rotate the face open and shut, which is why I chose it for my lob wedge. For those seeking the thinnest sole with the most relief, there’s the T Grind.
When I spoke with the Vokey team, I asked about the process of deciding which grinds to offer. They said they wanted to offer a grind for every player and condition while limiting it to grinds that were clearly different from one another. I think they’ve achieved that balance. The three grinds I tested are all decidedly unique and balance versatility with a measure of specialization.
Finally, I want to touch on the Vokey Flight Lines. This is an idea that was developed by Parker McLachlin and is available through Vokey WedgeWorks. The lines are essentially cues to help you set up more consistently. As someone who tends to set his hands too far forward, I found the Flight Lines to be extremely helpful. Additionally, I think there’s a lot of versatility in them: there’s no right or wrong way to use them. If you’re even a little curious about giving these a try, I’d suggest that you do it.
Conclusion
The Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges don’t reinvent the wheel because the wheel does not need reinvention. This is an evolution of the #1 wedge on Tour that players at all levels of golf can enjoy. It provides elite spin, controlled launch, and an unmatched array of sole options to fit every player.
Buy Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedges HERE
Visit Titleist HERE
Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedge Price & Specs
He founded Plugged In Golf in 2013 with the goal of helping all golfers play better and enjoy the game more.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
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7 Comments
Obvious question … worth the $$$ vs SM9 if we aren’t getting paid to game them?
Charlie,
Are you currently gaming SM9s and asking if it’s worth the money to switch immediately? Or are you deciding between buying the SM9 at a discount versus the SM10 at full retail?
Best,
Matt
Hey Matt- is there a significant difference in feel between plated finishes such as the tour chrome/nickel and the raw finishes? I’ve gamed the raw black Vokeys in SM8 and SM9 for the past few years, and love the feel and the reduction in glare. The nickel finish on the SM10’s looks sweet though.. just wondering if they might feel “clicky” compared to the raw black. Additionally, do you think the grooves on plated finishes are more durable or might take longer to dull than raw finishes?
Keenan,
Feel is always subjective, so I can’t give you a definitive answer. Also, I’ve only hit the plated version of the SM10, and I think that the answer to the “Plated vs. Raw” question can vary from one club to the next.
The groove question is interesting because some OEMs tout their raw wedges as, in effect, “developing” more spin as they age. Again, I am lacking in the ability to give you a definitive answer. Sorry.
Best,
Matt
Hi Matt, are there more shaft options to match lighter iron shafts better?
Wayne,
Yes, there are a lot of shaft options available through Vokey WedgeWorks, or you can get them through a fitter/builder like Club Champion to have every choice under the sun.
Best,
Matt
I highly recommend a wedge fitting. I play the DG 105 X100 in my irons, but the Titleist fitter recommended I demo the Modus 105x in the wedges (50, 56,60), he was correct. The fitting results translated to the course, the 105x even works brilliantly for 50-yard pitch shots.
All the best
Michael