Vokey M grind for diggers to chip

[gkmac1986]

I’ve been on and off lately looking at different vokey grinds. I’m currently gaming 54 f grind and 58 k. I have used the vokey wedge guide and it give me 54 d grind and 58 k grind. But I’m trying to find something to chip off tight lies and neutral. I went to dicks the other day and hit the 54 and 56 s grind and 58 and 60 d. Mostly in the sim to get some distance on pitches and half shots. And was decently pleased but went Back the next day and chipped with the 56 and 58 and 60 m grind on the fringe like a tight lie off the putting green and loved it. But the m grind is saying for sweepers. And I’m a digger on full shots. Has anyone played the m grind that is a digger. And what shots did you hit with it. What degree etc. thanks

[VNutz]

I'm between a digger and a sweeper and use a 58* M grind. Sometimes when it gets soft I can have issues digging or catching it fat, but I felt like I had the same issues with a wider sole or K grind as well. Sometimes I feel like I can have issues with it on really tight lies as there's still some back and bottom edge to it, but I generally just put the ball in the back of my stance in those situations and it works great. In general I'm a big fan of the versatility it gives in that you can play a normal pitch, a flop, or a low runner or one hop check all with ease. Cuts through sand great as well.

[hartrick11]

My swing is neutral to digger, though working to improve there. I initially bought just the 58D (kept my old Bridgestone 54 in play) and planned to use it for just about everything around the green up to 85 yds out, but wasn't loving the contact I was getting on the more neutral shots and felt like I was losing versatility on the more creative greenside shots. I ended up returning that and buying 54S, 58M. I use the 54S grind on my neutral chips & pitches, and the 58M in the bunker and on anything where I need more versatility. My anti-dig adjustment has been to open up the face more than I was initially comfortable with so that I have extra bounce vs the stated 8*, and I have gotten really comfortable with it. I love the combo.

FWIW, I could see the higher bounce F making sense for the 54 if you wanted more bounce variation between the M lob wedge and the S grind's 10*

[DaveGoodrich]

As a digger, you might try an F or D in your sand wedge (54, 56) to help with digging on fullish shots and from soft bunkers. But go to an M in the lob (58. 60). The M has "enough" bounce, and is really versatile for shots around the green, and from firmer bunkers. Your current setup only gives you high-bounce options.

[gkmac1986]

See what’s what I’m thinking.

[gkmac1986]

what would I use for fluffy bunkers then.

[gkmac1986]

That’s what I’m thinking. But be lost as sometime I play neutral and some soft bunkers.

[DaveGoodrich]

Generally, you would use the high bounce (F or D) from soft bunkers, and the medium bounce (M) when you are in firmer bunkers.

[Hawkeye77]

Three Vokey wedge grind threads in 5 days? Hard to keep them straight but lots of nice folks providing info.

You seem hung up on Titleist's website fitting criteria and for sure the wedge grinds have certain things in mind, but hitting them on a sim carpet isn't really going to tell you all that much, IMO. Strongly urge you to consider a wedge fitting on turf with someone who can help you pick what works for you, your technique, course conditions and in what lofts/grinds/bounce combinations, etc. Cost would be pretty cheap compared to the costs of the new wedges and getting it wrong.

[gkmac1986]

Yep that’s what I’m thinking.

[luckypolk]

I'm a true digger with divots on practically all shots. I originally bought the M grind 58.10 when the SM7 was released. I played them for about half a year, but was later fitted into the D grind 58.12. The D grind has absolutely changed my game. It could be the grind or the combination of the grind with a little more bounce. I've always been pretty good hitting a variety of shots around the green with a 58. The M grind dug too much for me too often. The D grind 58 has made a world of difference. I am far more consistent now and get it close for one putts much more often. To be honest, I couldn't tell much of a difference when hitting off the mats in the fitting studio. But after playing on wet lies and tight lies on the course, I can honestly say it was the right move for me. I also used to be scared to hit full wedge shots in my M grind because I would almost always dig, hitting it fat and leaving it short. I'm fearless now hitting everything from full shots, to partials, to pitches and chips. I wanted to try the Ping Glide 3.0 this year, but I'm not messing with this setup.

So, for me (a digger), the D grind worked better for me with the extra help of a touch more bounce.

[eldog-in-the-hizouse]

So much of what you are talking about with chipping has to do with HOW you chip. Do you use the bounce in th sole when you chip / pitch, or do you forward press a lot and chip without the bounce? Full shots and chips / pitches around the greens aren't necessarily played the same way. Do you have really thick, long rough around the greens you play or are you playing mostly tight lies in zoysia/bermuda? Do you play early in the morning when it is wet from dew and the morning watering? Or is it windy and dry in the afternoon? I like the M grind because it is versatile for me for a variety of shots, especially with the heel relief. But I also used to love the old Callaway Jaws wedges that had 16* of bounce. You just need to understand how to use the bounce and what you are doing when you aren't.

[rblmp32]

I'm a digger and have been playing 60* M grind wedges for 12-13 years. It's awesome off of tight lies and out of the rough and sand (of all kinds). I can play low spinning chips and high soft pitches with it. My club has really well mown tight lies around the greens so you gotta be able to pick it clean or you are in trouble. I find the grind to be very versatile and that's why I play it. I have to be careful with it from the fairway on more full shots or I'll hit it fat. I just concentrate on getting ball first. I picked up a high bounce M grind SM7 recently and can't wait to try it out (hoping it will be a little more forgiving from fw lies).

[cardoustie]

I love m grinds ... digger as well

very versatile

sometimes what is supposed to not work for your action actually does ... get on real grass

[Krt22]

Find a V-grind

[RainShadow]

Very happy with my M grinds.

Works good for me for all kinds of shots.

[scott_Donald]

worry less about what the wedge says on the bottom with grind and bounce. Hit them on grass and use the ones that you use best!

I had a recent fitting at Artisan Golf and never once looked at what they gave me to hit, I just went with what they thought was best. Bounce numbers were never mentioned ever.

[SBH9458]

D grind, as it turns out, works great for me....and I played M grind for a long time. But that’s just me....as others have said, YMMV, and playing what I play will only work for you if it is right for you. Try different wedges from your playing conditions and buy what works.

 

And in transparency, I spent entirely too much money learning the lesson I just offered. Maybe you can spend less learning it, or maybe it is more fun for you to experiment with the different wedges.

[dwboston]

This - you need to hit them outside on turf, not off of a mat. I have a digger swing and I tried the M-grind at a Titleist demo day a few years back and absolutely hated it. It felt like I was drop-kicking every shot - chip/pitch/full swing, it didn't matter. I played the K grind for a few years - great out of the bunkers and rough around the greens, but never liked it for "full" shots. I love the D grind - versatile enough around the greens, in bunkers, and on full wedge swings. Don't be scared by the bounce number on the D grind - it's a versatile wedge.

[BigUrsus]

Gaming,

GW SM7 F grind 48* bent 1* weak to 49*,

SW SM7 S grind 54,

LW SM7 D grind 58* bent 1* weak to 59*

I used to play callaway x-tour 60*. I loved that thing and became very proficient at opening the face up. That was my go to shot. I can't do it at all with the D grind. Sounds like i would have to sacrifice full swing shots for flop shots if i went from D to M. Seeing as i'd play a 59* i wonder if a M grind bent weak with increased bounce 9* would be perfect.

[ATAlxndr]

I actually play a 58 M Grind, bent to 60*. I prefer the 10* bounce over the 8* and I prefer the least amount of offset as possible. Has been perfect for me.