SM8 T vs L grind

i was anxiously awaiting the new t grind release but the bounce is way lower than previous model at 4 degrees. This is identical to the L grind. Can someone explain how they will play different?

From reading these vokey site T grind is going to have more front to back surface of the back side of the sole than l and while same bounce degree the T will play like less bounce than L.

It’s going to play well for shallow swingers on firm turf

If you need a little more bounce take the 58T and bend it to 60 to gain 2*

Straight from Vokey.comWhat is the difference between the WW T Grind and SM8 L Grind?

Both grinds are considered low bounce wedges and require precise delivery, but the T Grind features a narrower forward sole (towards the leading edge) and more aggressive heel, toe and trailing edge grind compared to the L Grind which allows the leading edge sit closer to the ground especially on open faced shots. The WW T Grind has a wider back flange (trailing edge) compared to the SM8 L Grind’s narrow back flange (trailing edge).

What is the effect of the wider back flange? How does that effect full swing turf interaction. I love my L 60 04, and mostly use it around the green on tight lies, why wouldn’t I get this one?

Really a T will lay tighter to the ground when you open it than an L will

Another good alternative is the low bounce K grind. At 6* with toe and heal relief, it is very versatile as well. Better wedge for me.

Just picked one up. Looking forward to trying it. I'd originally ordered a T grind, but realized that it was touted "for links style courses" which I never play.

Can you point me to where it says the low bounce K has heel and toe relief. I will order if I can find that lol

During the order process, you can choose to have the wedge hand ground. Heel and Toe relief is one of the options, but it will cost you an extra $75.

There is no option for toe relief for the low bounce k only trailing edge and heel relief.

Been really interested in the T for a while but for whatever reason, money I guess haha, I haven't bit the bullet and got one. I just go through wedges so quickly. I do love the L though...

FWIW I was watching a TXG video recently where Ian made a comment about how the T grind can be slightly better with a squared up pitch/chip. I guess with the leading side bounce a bit closer up on the sole than the L you get a bit more forgiveness against digging. It does look like the T sits lower to the ground overall though. So it has a lot going for it.  

If we buy this though how is the L better... I guess out of the greenside rough you'd be less likely to get one that slides under the ball too much, potentially better out of soft sand (I use my L out of all sand types and love it, its almost too much bounce if the sand is firm). Probably better if you're hitting shots from the fairway too, which I definitely do. 

I just bought 3 SM8 raw wedges.  52F-12, 56S-10, & 60L-04.  I've had many WW M's & V's & Miura wedges and almost always raw the Vokeys.  In terms of flexibility and spin this is perhaps the best performing wedge set I've had. Full square  shots, open face pitches, rough, and tight lies these are the best raw wedges.  The SM8's are a steal right now and I just have no need for 2-4 deg lower flighted shots with the extra 300 to 400 revs of the new SM9's.  A friend who knows Vokey asked him in private how in the world they label the L grind lobs as having 4 deg of bounce.  He had no answer.  Obviously the L grinds are well above 10 but to me they play much like V grinds which I love.   

@SwingBlade

Vokey states effective bounce on their wedges rather than the actual bounce angel. The L grind (as well as the M) has higher bounce towards the leading edge, but plays low effective bounce due to lots of trailing edge relief.

I believe that Vokey’s recent answer of, “Yes, but that is just how we do it” is in fact the more correct answer.  The straight on square bounce on the 60 L is probably about 10-12 degrees.   Opening the face significantly does change the effective bounce, but how much does one open it to hit 4 degrees of bounce?
 

Even if  one rotates it past 45 degrees open and lays it down on the trailing edge heel area I still doubt if it approaches 4 degrees.  My point is that there is no reason to try and scare away moderate diggers from the 60 L-04 because it is quite safe and has little tendency to dig unless one really cranks it open.

16 hours ago, SwingBlade said:

I believe that Vokey’s recent answer of, “Yes, but that is just how we do it” is in fact the more correct answer.  The straight on square bounce on the 60 L is probably about 10-12 degrees.   Opening the face significantly does change the effective bounce, but how much does one open it to hit 4 degrees of bounce?
 

Even if  one rotates it past 45 degrees open and lays it down on the trailing edge heel area I still doubt if it approaches 4 degrees.  My point is that there is no reason to try and scare away moderate diggers from the 60 L-04 because it is quite safe and has little tendency to dig unless one really cranks it open.

totally agree with all this.... there is no way the modern iterations play to 4 degrees bounce. And to think this is the lowest bounce Vokey available without going off menu. 

I do have a 60L SM5, brand new old stock I picked up a few months back. I'll prob cycle it into my bag if it cuts the mustard. I will say it definitely has less bounce than the SM7/8. Hard to say by how much... maybe a full 2 degrees or so. Ever so slightly more offset though, I might take it to 61 degrees to lessen the offset which would bring the bounce a touch higher. Bottom line the Vokey L is a badazz wedge

On 2/26/2022 at 4:50 AM, SwingBlade said:

I believe that Vokey’s recent answer of, “Yes, but that is just how we do it” is in fact the more correct answer.  The straight on square bounce on the 60 L is probably about 10-12 degrees.   Opening the face significantly does change the effective bounce, but how much does one open it to hit 4 degrees of bounce?
 

Even if  one rotates it past 45 degrees open and lays it down on the trailing edge heel area I still doubt if it approaches 4 degrees.  My point is that there is no reason to try and scare away moderate diggers from the 60 L-04 because it is quite safe and has little tendency to dig unless one really cranks it open.

I use the a 58L bent to 60. Its really good for "fuller" lob wedge shots from like 70ish yards, and from the rough. I'm not as good with it around the green with tight lies though and tend to open up my 56 C grind for that.

On 7/9/2020 at 8:11 AM, MattyO1984 said:

Both grinds are considered low bounce wedges and require precise delivery, but the T Grind features a narrower forward sole (towards the leading edge) and more aggressive heel, toe and trailing edge grind compared to the L Grind which allows the leading edge sit closer to the ground especially on open faced shots.

On 7/13/2020 at 8:11 AM, carrier street said:

Really a T will lay tighter to the ground when you open it than an L will

This is the essential difference. The narrow forward bounce surface on the T means the leading edge stays lower when laid open. When opened, the L plays with more bounce than the T.

Just picked up an sm8 60⁰ L w 4⁰ of bounce. Can't wait to get it out there. In South Louisiana and there are a lot of tight spots on the courses I play. Also w bit of a sweeper, so I'm shallower than many with my wedges, so this might be the one.

Ok I got it out. Super sweet. Definitely feels like it plays w more than 4⁰ bounce.

Having played the SM8 T grind for the last ~1.75 years, I've found that it's great from firm, wet, and low shallow bunkers.  It's pretty terrifying from most other lies (for me) unless I open it up.  The original experiment for me was the 60.06T paired with 54.12D bent to 56.14.

The 56 gets almost all of the work as I play in relatively soft conditions most of the time.

Played it off and on for about a season and a half now, bent to 59*. Like others stated, sits noticeably lower than the L when opened up. Great club for firm conditions and/or hard-packed bunkers. 
 

Wasn’t fully comfortable on full shots or when conditions softened up. Mostly gamed 59*D.