The Titleist Vokey wedge has earned its spot as one of the most popular clubs in any WITB. Just look at the tour; 156 tour players are currently using a generation of Vokey Wedge. That makes it the single most popular club on tour, and we’d argue that only happens if a club is genuinely worth the hype. (Source)
Titleist Vokey wedges have been through quite a few re-designs over the years. But what’s the difference between generations? But do you really need the latest and greatest SM11? Or can you confidently go with Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges, or even a SM9 or 8?
We turned to an expert to find out. We asked our friend, Andrew Jensen, former tour player and current golf YouTuber, to give us his thoughts and reviews on each model.
We’re going through the Vokey family, so you can decide which model is for you.
Table of Contents
- Quick Comparison: SM8 vs SM9 vs SM10
- Titleist Vokey SM8 Wedges (2020): The Forward-CG Original
- Titleist Vokey SM9 Wedges (2022): Tighter Grooves, Higher CG
- Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedges (2024): CG Tuned by Loft
- Vokey Wedge Grind Guide: Finding Your Fit
- How to Choose Your Vokey Grind
- Quick Verdict: Which Vokey Is for You?
- Vokey Wedge FAQs
Quick Comparison: SM8 vs SM9 vs SM10
Here’s a quick look at the specs of each generation.
| Feature | Titleist Vokey SM8 Wedges(2020) | Titleist Vokey SM9 Wedges(2022) | Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedges(2024) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main upgrade | Forward CG in front of face | Raised CG via topline weight; new groove-cutting process | CG tuned by loft; refined head shapes | SM10 most refined |
| Grinds | F, S, M, K, L, D | F, S, M, K, L, D | F, S, M, K, T, D (25 combos) | SM10 = more lob options |
| Stock finishes | Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel, Jet Black, Raw | Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel, Jet Black, Raw | Tour Chrome, Jet Black, Nickel, Raw (Wedgeworks) | SM10 adds Nickel |
| Stock grip | Tour Velvet | Tour Velvet 360 White | Titleist Universal 360 | Updated each gen |
| Launch MAP | $159 | $179 | $189 (Raw custom) | Price climbs slightly |
| Next Round | $59.99–$84.99 | $45.99–$109.99 | $56.99–$139.99 | SM9 widest range |
Titleist Vokey SM8 Wedges (2020): The Forward-CG Original
When Titleist launched the SM8, its tagline was “the most accurate and forgiving Vokey yet.” It earned this title with its innovative center of gravity—the SM6 and SM7 had been slowly moving the CG forward, but it wasn’t until the SM8 that the CG actually sat in front of the clubface.
Why should you care? A forward CG helps the face square up at impact, which means better distance control, consistent trajectory, and better overall feel.
With the SM8, you’ve got plenty of ways to get dialed in. There are six sole grinds (F, S, M, K, L, and D), so you can match the wedge to your swing and the turf you usually play. The grooves are individually cut and heat-treated, which doubles how long the edges last without changing how the club feels. And there are four finishes: Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel, Jet Black, and Raw (the fan favorite amongst the tour).
It’s the best wedge in the game. It’s trusted by the most players on tours worldwide. This is just an older model, but it’s still giving you the performance, the feedback, the feel that a Vokey wedge gives that is unlike anything else.
Andrew Jensen, on the Vokey SM8
Titleist Vokey SM9 Wedges (2022): Tighter Grooves, Higher CG
The SM9 saw the SM8’s forward CG, and then raised it by adding weight to the topline. The refinements in this generation are subtle, and you probably won’t catch them just by looking at the club. The changes are subtle, like a tapered pad behind the toe that keeps the CG in line without showing up at address, but they make for a better feel overall.
Another difference between this generation and the previous is in the hosel length. In the SM9, Titleist decided to use progressive hosel lengths (the hosel is the part where the shaft meets the clubhead) to push the CG even higher in the 58°–62° wedges. And the variation pays off—those are the lofts where you want a lower, more controlled flight.
The biggest story for this launch, however, is the grooves. Titleist rolled out a new Spin Milled cutting process, resulting in tighter tolerances, and sharper, more consistent grooves. The result? More spin that you can count on. The grooves are also cut to match each loft and finish:
- 46°–54°: narrower and deeper, to keep spin in check on full swings
- 56°–62°: wider and shallower, to grab the ball on shots around the green
You still see SM9s in tour players’ bags because when you find a wedge you love, you want to get more of that wedge you love. And Vokey makes the best wedges on tour.
Andrew Jensen, on the Vokey SM9
Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedges (2024): CG Tuned by Loft
Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges took it all up a notch. Previous models saw a consistent center of gravity across the board. The SM10 fine-tuned the CG by loft. In the 46°–52° wedges, the CG sits lower and closer to the center of the face, making it a smoother transition from your irons. This enhancement also tightens your distance gaps and reduces draw bias. In the 54°–62° wedges, the CG moves up and forward for a lower, more controlled flight.
And if you think these clubs look a bit different, it’s not in your head; the head shapes got a redesign, too. The 46°–52° models have a smaller profile and a straighter leading edge so they look more like the gap wedges. Meanwhile, the 56°–62° models have a larger footprint, as well as a more rounded leading edge for shot versatility.
One thing to call out before you add Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges to your cart is the shifting grind options. For the SM10, you can select between F, S, M, K, T, and D across 25 loft-bounce-grind combos. The T grind is now SM10’s low-bounce lob wedge option (and is the most played lob wedge on the tour), and a new 54.08M was added for players who want a low-bounce, strong-lofted sand wedge.Finishes are Tour Chrome, Jet Black, and a new Nickel finish, with Raw available as a custom WedgeWorks option.
This is just the latest iteration. This is Bob further honing his craft, what he’s learned with each iteration of the SM line. There’s a lot of grinds, a lot of finishes.
Andrew Jensen, on Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedges
Vokey Wedge Grind Guide: Finding Your Fit
If you saw all of the grind letters and your vision started to blur, we get it. There’s a lot to choose from. We’re breaking down every Vokey grind so you can find the best one for your game. Each grind is built for a specific job—pick the right club, and it’ll basically do the work for you.
| Grind | Bounce | Built For |
|---|---|---|
| F | Medium | Full-sole traditional shape. Best for full swings and square-face shots. A great all-rounder. |
| S | Medium | Square-face play with trailing-edge relief. Adds versatility without sacrificing bounce. |
| M | Medium-Low | Heel, toe, and trailing-edge relief. Built for open-face shots and creative short-game work. |
| D | High | M-shape with increased bounce. Made for steep swings and soft conditions. |
| K | High | Widest sole, most forgiving. Excellent in sand and soft turf — a digger’s best friend. |
| T | Low | Narrow sole for firm conditions and skilled players. SM10’s go-to low-bounce lob wedge. |
| L | Low | Narrow sole for firm conditions and skilled players. Available on SM8 and SM9. |
How to Choose Your Vokey Grind
If you read the chart and are still unsure where you fall, ask yourself these 4 questions.
- What’s your swing type?Steep diggers take big divots and need more bounce (D or K). Neutral swingers can play most grinds (F or S work great). Shallow sweepers barely touch the turf and want less bounce (M, T, or L).
- What are your typical course conditions?Firm, fast turf wants a lower-bounce grind (M, T, L). Soft, wet, or lush turf wants more bounce (D, K) so the wedge doesn’t dig too deep. Neutral conditions play nice with medium-bounce options (F, S).
- What’s your short-game style?Sweepers who pick it clean lean toward M, T, or L. Diggers who take divots lean toward D or K. If you open the face for flop shots and creativity, the M grind is your friend — the heel relief lets you lay it open without the leading edge bouncing off the turf.
- How do you position the face at impact?Mostly square? F, S, D, or K. Opening the face for specialty shots? M, T, or L. This is the simplest tiebreaker once you’ve answered the first three questions.
Still stuck? Go to a professional to get a fitting. Then, come back to Next Round to find the club for a discounted rate.
Quick Verdict: Which Vokey Is for You?
Andrew Jensen saws the Vokey is the best wedge in the game, and we’d have to agree. But they’re not all created equal—your choice depends on your budget, as well are your center of gravity and groove preferences.
Buy the SM8 if you want Vokey feel on a budget. At $59.99–$84.99 at Next Round, it’s the cheapest way into a tour-proven wedge, and the forward-CG innovation still holds up five years later.
Buy the SM9 if you’re looking for the sweet spot option. It’s tour-proven,has sharper grooves, and still offers some lower priced options on our site. Given that you’ll still see them in PGA Tour bags, you can’t go wrong with the SM9.
Buy Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedges if you want one of the most refined Vokey versions. The loft-by-loft CG tuning is the real deal and the head shapes are the cleanest yet. At $56.99–$139.99, it’s a meaningful upgrade, but might be worth it if you’re really honing in on your wedge game.
Vokey Wedge FAQs
Are Titleist Vokey wedges forged?
No — Vokey SM wedges are cast, not forged. They’re cast from 8620 mild carbon steel, which Titleist calls one of the softest steels in the industry. That soft carbon steel is a big part of why Vokeys feel so good.
Are Titleist Vokey wedges forgiving?
Yes, and more than their tour reputation suggests. Titleist called the SM8 the most accurate and forgiving Vokey yet at launch, and the SM9 is even more forgiving. But the trick to getting a forgiving wedge is to match the bounce and grind to your game. A higher-bounce grind like the K or D gives you more margin for error, especially out of sand and soft turf.
What groove shape do Titleist Vokey wedges have?
Vokeys use Titleist’s patented Spin Milled grooves, cut differently by loft. On the SM10, the TX9 grooves on the stronger lofts (46°–54°) are narrower and deeper to control spin on full shots. The higher lofts (56°–62°) get wider, shallower grooves to grab the ball around the green. A micro-texture between the grooves adds spin on partial shots, and a heat treatment on the impact area doubles the durability of the groove edges. Each groove is individually cut and 100% inspected for conformance to the Rules of Golf.
