After seeing all the hype online about the new Titleist Vokey SM8 range we were eager to find out more about the new masterpiece designed by the wedge guru himself Bob Vokey. Our product tester Jordan Smith headed over to Dubai Hills to see the wedges in the flesh and get fitted to see what difference it makes having your golf gear properly set up to suit your swing and physique, rather than simply sticking with the off the shelf set up. After being fitted, to his amazement, Jordan holed a 90-yard pitch shot for the first time in five years. Let’s see how he discovered these powers…
How does a wedge fitting improve your game?
After speaking with Stuart Taylor from Titleist (Middle East), who has recently worked closely with Tour professionals on the range during the Desert Swing, it was helpful to have him explain the product and fitting process that both the top players in the world and your weekend warrior like me go through. It’s evident that a wedge fitting is crucial in this day and age because on average a golfer will hit 40 shots a round using wedges within 100 yards so that makes it your second most-used club behind the putter. When your Greens In Regulation stats aren’t Tour standard, you’ll find yourself often left within 100 yards from the hole on a variety of different lies and ground conditions, therefore having clubs fitted specially for you is key. A mid handicapped golfer will waste on average five shots a round due to their short game alone which could be the difference between you being a single figure handicap or not.
What’s the fitting process?
In order to lower your scores and handicap you need the ability to get up and down around the greens with the correct tools suited for your swing. Whether your swing plane is neutral, steep or a shallow; wedges need to be unique to your characteristics. Without a professional wedge fitting you’ll never possess the full capability to own your gapping and grouping. Luckily enough for us, Bob Vokey has the golden ticket to enhance ball striking and consistency for all golfers with the release of the new Titleist Vokey SM8 range.
So what’s the outcome?
I’ve never hit my wedges this straight before. I usually push my wedges slightly to the right but not with the SM8’s, here’s why…
“The centre of gravity has moved towards the front of the face in these new SM8s allowing the club-face to square more at impact which straightens up pushed shots and improves the forgiveness as well as consistency of strike.”
Before this I doubted myself and had no confidence around the greens and often putted from 10-20 yards short but after hitting a Vokey design wedge with the correct set up, it has vastly boosted my confidence. I’ve never experienced as much spin on my own wedge play. But how are SM8s spinning so much?
“Every single wedge is 100% inspected to make sure every wedge creates maximum spin made within the tightest tolerances possible.” says Taylor.
After this fitting, I firmly believe there is no point purchasing new clubs if they’re not going be tailored to your swing mechanics. We all aspire to get one up on our friends out on the course so you should guarantee this with your equipment before you go out to battle. As for the SM8 wedges, I was most impressed by the consistency of the strike, eliminating out the bad shots is key to scoring, when around the green I never chunked or knifed any shots which gave me huge trust in the product. I now realise why the world’s best trust Vokey!
