Golf Equipment Reviewss

Golf Club Tested

Club: Titleist SM9 Wedge System
Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold
Flex: Stiff S200
Lofts: 50° and 54°Grinds: 50° = F, 54° = D

Technology:

Through years of research, design and knowledge, Bob Vokey has pinpointed that the optimum strike is between grooves two and five on the club face. This results in a lower, more consistent ball flight with higher spin. Shots struck above this area tend to launch higher and fly shorter with less spin.

Vokey and Titleist state that the new SM9 wedges are the most versatile, accurate and forgiving wedges they have produced. There are six grind options available and there are a total of 23 different models ranging in lofts from 46° to 62°. The wedges come in three different finishes, which are Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel and Jet Black – with Raw as a custom option.

The SM9 wedges have improved the Progressive Centre of Gravity (CG) design which was introduced on the SM8s. The SM9 maintains the forward CG to produce a solid feeling wedge that squares up at impact for more consistent results.

The CG has been raised vertically by adding weight to the topline design, where a tapered pad at the back of the toe helps align the CG properly without being visible from the playing position. This works with the progressive hosel lengths which helps raise the CG in the higher lofts, particularly the 58°-62° options.

Vokey has also introduced a new Spin Milled cutting process in the SM9 models which tightens the tolerances producing a more consistent sharper groove resulting in higher, more consistent spin. Micro-grooves are individually cut in between grooves. This helps maximise spin on partial shots and a proprietary heat treatment has been applied to the impact area to double the durability of the grooves without impacting feel.

The grooves in the lower lofts (46°-54°) have been designed with narrower, deeper grooves when you are hitting fuller shots into the green and the higher lofts (56°-62°) have wider, shallower grooves to try and impart as much spin as possible on finesse shots around the green where the swing speed is slower.

Conclusion:

Gone are the days of picking up a wedge and just buying it – well, that is if you want to get the most out of the club you are purchasing.

As Bob Vokey himself states: “It is important to fit your wedges to your swing type, style of play and course conditions. That selection process should begin by determining the proper grind for the shots you hit most. The correct grind provides the best turf interaction, contact and shot performance.”

I tested these wedges out in Tunisia on several different grass types. I loved the look and feel of them, but most of all I loved the spin and control I was getting, especially on those finesse shots around the green where those wider, shallow spin milled grooves really come into their own.

Around the green is where you save shots and with the right tools that have been fitted to how you play the game, the SM9s will definitely give you more control. But if you just pick one up and buy it and don’t get fitted, then don’t be surprised if you watch someone with the same wedge get more spin and control than you do. These are great wedges as long a you have the right one of the 23 in your hands!