It’s hardly surprising that the No.1 wedge on the US PGA Tour since 2004 has been the Vokey. When it came to distance and spin control, Bob Vokey appears to have the magic formula. His groundbreaking Progressive Centre of Gravity (CG) was introduced in the SM6 model and later refined in the SM7. It aligned the centre of gravity with the impact position. So the CG was lower in the lower lofts and higher in the higher lofts for better trajectory and distance control.
The latest SM8 has evolved this further by pushing the centre of gravity forwards while maintaining a vertical position to create a more consistent and better feeling strike.
How will the SM8 improve things for amateurs?
To develop the benefits of the Progressive Centre of Gravity, Vokey’s team lengthened the hosels and counterbalanced the weight with high-density tungsten positioned low in the toe. This high, forward CG position boosts the Moment of Inertial (limiting face twisting at impact) up to 7% in the higher lofts to provide a more consistent flight and a club-face that wants to square up at impact.
What Bob thinks:
“When Kevin Tassistro (Director of Wedge R&D) brings me new prototypes, he knows I won’t have feedback until I’ve watched tour players hit them. The proof is in their results and their reactions. That’s been my validation process from day one. The first time I had guys hit SM8 was on the range at Riviera. 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, whether you’re in the fairway, in a bunker or around the green. They also talked a lot about the flight. It’s in a better window, it’s more consistent, and they have more control of it. Overall, guys just kept telling me how easy it was to hit every type of shot they wanted to hit. They just felt like they were getting more out of the wedge – and that’s because Kevin and his team were able to push that CG forward out in front of the face, to a place we never would have imagined 20 years ago.”
Refined Sole Grind Options:
Developed through decades of work with the best shot makers in the game, Vokey’s six Tour-proven sole grinds – F, S, M, K, L and D – allow golfers of all skill levels to be precisely fit for their swing type (steep, neutral, shallow), shot making style and course conditions (firm, neutral, soft). SM8 continues to feature the most complete line-up of grind, bounce and loft options, allowing for more creativity and consistency, and giving players of any level the ability to create multiple shots around the green.
SM8 Finishes:
Golfers can choose from four different finishes available in SM8. The new ‘Tour Chrome’ features a softer chrome finish than the prior generation. The darker ‘Brushed Steel’ is more textured and dynamic than the polished SM7, while maintaining a non-glare finish in the playing position. The raw ‘Jet Black’ is enhanced with black paint to fill in the logos and graphics. ‘Raw’ – the most popular option among tour players, in which no additional finish is applied to the 8620 carbon steel.
