Honest Question, what's so great about Vokeys?

[scagnetti]

I'm curious what you members think... I would put this in a poll if I were able to truly grasp what makes these wedges so popular.

 

For The Record, I have not swung a Vokey wedge in A LONG TIME, like four or five years, and I want to say it was one of the first, Spin Milled Oil Cans from 2009 if the image searches match my memory; and it felt excessively heavy for a wedge, in my opinion.

 

The reason I ask is that I have been going through wedges like Scarlet O'Hara and her tissues, and am serious about gaming something I can control, has easily executable spin options from anywhere 75 yards and in, and for the most part feels soft or forgiving upon contact.

 

Are these the wedges for me?

What am I missing?

Why do you guys like them so much?!

 

 

 

[pmcuk]

If you want the combination of spin, soft and forgiving my answer to this is Ping wedges. I've been through several Callaway, TM, Cleveland, Mizuno, Nike, KZG etc. plus the odd Vokey.

 

Soft may mean forged, but then the faces wear and the spin decreases......

 

Forgiving points to Ping with their damped cavity backs. Cast, so faces hold up well. And soft because of the damped cavity. You can play any of the older ones like Tour-W and Tour-S as well as Gorge and Glide - they are all good.

 

The exception to the above is the notorious 58* Vokey K grind....... the Bunker Queen if you can deal with 11* or 12* bounce in a wide sole. Alternative is the new 6* K models from Wedgeworks which is the lob wedge of choice for some of the Tour players.

 

http://www.vokey.com/wedgeworks/products/k-grind.aspx

[Oldplayer]

I don't think Vokeys are necessarily superior to any other wedges but like all equipment some golfers find them to tick the boxes for them. The ones I've had have performed ok but I agree, nothing special. My favorites are actually the old TM Racs. They are still in the bag. I guess I'm a bit of a dinosaur.

[benno_r]

I don't get the love. I have a set, and while they are good, I find myself using my Mack Daddy 3 much more.

 

I think the best thing Vokey have going for them is the options. I can't imagine there not being something in there for everyone in regards to loft, grinds, and finishes.

[Mudguard]

I think, like a lot of Titleist gear, they're simple, not flashy, and simply get the job done. Having said that, my brother has some blue Mizuno wedges in his bag that look intriguing. The other problem with wedges, if you play a lot, or practice a lot, you're going to be replacing them often, that's why I can't see the appeal of forged wedges. Though I can't think of anyone who makes them off the top of my head.

Maybe those blue Mizuno's. I think most Mizuno irons are forged. I'll see how his hold up.

 

I honestly think someone can become proficient with one wedge (say 56) and it wouldn't matter the bounce or the brand. I was about 15 when I got my first 588 RTG? in either 56 or 58*. Rusted up already and I thought it was magic. I could get up and down from everywhere. Now I look in my bag at 4 wedges and try not to flip pull or gut a chip or pitch shot.

[Shambles]

Can't really say why but Vokeys work easier and better for me. The Vokeys I have, in any case and I just simply bought them for the sake of trying them because they had a nice rep. In fact, after a year of using them it became rather difficult to stop using them and I had to force myself because I wanted to try some Japanese clubs it just did not seem right to play unless I also used Japanese wedges. Dumb thing but I also play my Pings with Ping wedges. However those Vokeys really were easier to use and generally worked well for me. They are also made os a harder steel than other forged so they click a bit more easily but that kind of thing only happens when you have a very delicate soft stroke and you do it badly.

 

 

 

Shambles

[ZBUCK]

I think pretty much all the major brands wedges are essentially the same in terms of performance once you dial them in for yourself. I also really think that with wedges you need to give them at least 5+ rounds before you can really judge them since there are so many different factors on each shot that can impact your spin, distance, feel, etc..

[MarkFromTheUK]

They're alright. I don't think they're the best wedges out there in terms of performance, feel or looks, but what they do have going for them is options. They have a huge range of different lofts, bounce angles and grinds, so can be suitable for just about anyone. If you're OCD about needing to have all your wedges matching, then they are the perfect brand.

[MtlJeff]

Lot of different loft and bounce options

[coho10]

I like the shape of the face from address, the feel through impact, and the grinds for different turf conditions. I've played Vokey wedges for years and I can't imagine hitting anything else.

[Hot Rod 71]

My first wedges were Vokey, so I may be a bit biased. These are my opinions.....

 

The wedge offerings today from Callaway, Cleveland, Mizuno, TM, etc are more on par with Vokey, and wedges as a whole have come a long way. There was a time when all other wedges (except maybe Cleveland) were just not that great compared to the Vokey (again, my opinion). I think Vokey was what other wedge companies aspired to be.

 

I've played just about every wedge out there over the past few years because I like to give every club a fair shake. For me, the Vokey still stands atop the rest. Again, I am biased since the first wedges I ever owned were Vokeys. The Callaway wedges are right up there with the Vokeys, IMO. Great looks, feel, and performance.

[illdrag0n]

I'm in love with the WIlson Staff FG Tour wedges. Cut the grass like butter and great out of the sand, with plenty of feel. Kicked my GG16's out of the bag

[Bigmean]

I honestly think someone can become proficient with one wedge (say 56) and it wouldn't matter the bounce or the brand. I was about 15 when I got my first 588 RTG? in either 56 or 58*. Rusted up already and I thought it was magic. I could get up and down from everywhere. Now I look in my bag at 4 wedges and try not to flip pull or gut a chip or pitch shot.

 

This is the truth.....I have gone back to just using a 56. I have a lob I hit when needed, and I like my gap from fairway, but really I think being super close to one wedge is a good thing. When I was younger I had the same experience, I was better at pitching and chipping then...man thinking about it, if I had my tee and wedge game from high school and college and my putting and iron game I have now...........oh well.

 

Also, I am not a big practicer, I have only so much time and like to play when I can. But I have been playing 3x a week since April With my first summer membership and while I do practice with my 56 more than anything else becuase the facility is free and there, it is forged and a year old anyway it isn't going to be browning by the end of this summer, maybe....I think the whole wearing out a forged wedge is over rated. First of all, you can play them well into to browning, and second, isn't $150 or whatever a valie if you actually run it into the ground and need a new one in 2-3 years because you hit that many shots with it? And third, when my wedge does brown, I am stripping it and making it raw...but I know the grooves mashing up is the eventual death of a wedge...still, it takes lots of balls, more than I think is the general consensus here sometimes when guys talk about forged wearing out.

[WidespreadPanic]

I got my first set with the gold SM5's because they were the best looking wedge id ever seen. I absolutely love them and will most likely be gaming vokeys for the rest of my life. They are extremely versatile and are so simple.

[scagnetti]

If you want the combination of spin, soft and forgiving my answer to this is Ping wedges. I've been through several Callaway, TM, Cleveland, Mizuno, Nike, KZG etc. plus the odd Vokey.

 

Soft may mean forged, but then the faces wear and the spin decreases......

 

Forgiving points to Ping with their damped cavity backs. Cast, so faces hold up well. And soft because of the damped cavity. You can play any of the older ones like Tour-W and Tour-S as well as Gorge and Glide - they are all good.

 

The exception to the above is the notorious 58* Vokey K grind....... the Bunker Queen if you can deal with 11* or 12* bounce in a wide sole. Alternative is the new 6* K models from Wedgeworks which is the lob wedge of choice for some of the Tour players.

 

http://www.vokey.com...ts/k-grind.aspx

 

It's funny you mention PING, as I play the patented Eye 2s set, which has a 50.5* PW & a 57.5* SW (and no LW), and have been searching through oodles of wedges to fill the yardage gaps that have been created by better ball striking. I looked at the GLIDE and GORGE, and the Eye 2 XG and Gorge wedges, and I swear none of them 'felt right' for me, just the original Eye 2s... still looking, and it's getting expensive. and frustrating.

[2bGood]

I am titleist guy. Everything but my wedges are titleist, but I have never liked the vokeys. Just seem too 'click' to me.

[scagnetti]

I think, like a lot of Titleist gear, they're simple, not flashy, and simply get the job done. Having said that, my brother has some blue Mizuno wedges in his bag that look intriguing. The other problem with wedges, if you play a lot, or practice a lot, you're going to be replacing them often, that's why I can't see the appeal of forged wedges. Though I can't think of anyone who makes them off the top of my head.

Maybe those blue Mizuno's. I think most Mizuno irons are forged. I'll see how his hold up.

 

I honestly think someone can become proficient with one wedge (say 56) and it wouldn't matter the bounce or the brand. I was about 15 when I got my first 588 RTG? in either 56 or 58*. Rusted up already and I thought it was magic. I could get up and down from everywhere. Now I look in my bag at 4 wedges and try not to flip pull or gut a chip or pitch shot.

 

this was me for the longest time, but my ball striking has improved which has created bigger gaps in my lower irons. i played around with a 52/60 set up that was initially included in this bag I had and for four of the previous five years i learned to make that 52* do all manner of things, the 60* being the oh s***/sand wedge.

[ExTrumpet]

If you want the combination of spin, soft and forgiving my answer to this is Ping wedges. I've been through several Callaway, TM, Cleveland, Mizuno, Nike, KZG etc. plus the odd Vokey.

 

Soft may mean forged, but then the faces wear and the spin decreases......

 

Forgiving points to Ping with their damped cavity backs. Cast, so faces hold up well. And soft because of the damped cavity. You can play any of the older ones like Tour-W and Tour-S as well as Gorge and Glide - they are all good.

 

The exception to the above is the notorious 58* Vokey K grind....... the Bunker Queen if you can deal with 11* or 12* bounce in a wide sole. Alternative is the new 6* K models from Wedgeworks which is the lob wedge of choice for some of the Tour players.

 

http://www.vokey.com...ts/k-grind.aspx

 

It's funny you mention PING, as I play the patented Eye 2s set, which has a 50.5* PW & a 57.5* SW (and no LW), and have been searching through oodles of wedges to fill the yardage gaps that have been created by better ball striking. I looked at the GLIDE and GORGE, and the Eye 2 XG and Gorge wedges, and I swear none of them 'felt right' for me, just the original Eye 2s... still looking, and it's getting expensive. and frustrating.

 

Eye 2+ SW is around 53.5 degrees. Find one with a shaft to your liking.

[scagnetti]

My first wedges were Vokey, so I may be a bit biased. These are my opinions.....

 

The wedge offerings today from Callaway, Cleveland, Mizuno, TM, etc are more on par with Vokey, and wedges as a whole have come a long way. There was a time when all other wedges (except maybe Cleveland) were just not that great compared to the Vokey (again, my opinion). I think Vokey was what other wedge companies aspired to be.

 

I've played just about every wedge out there over the past few years because I like to give every club a fair shake. For me, the Vokey still stands atop the rest. Again, I am biased since the first wedges I ever owned were Vokeys. The Callaway wedges are right up there with the Vokeys, IMO. Great looks, feel, and performance.

 

putting aside your bias as they have an 'origin story' in your bag, will you tell me, what for you makes them 'stand atop the rest'?

 

thanks

[cgasucks]

I've never owned or swung a Vokey...I can't say it's a crappy wedge but I think Titleist did a great job giving it an image of its clubs to be for the elite level of players and most hacks like us naturally want to play what the pros do....Scotty Cameron putters are given the same treatment. Their putters are nice and generally the most expensive on the market. Heck, even their headcovers almost costs as much. The clubs are nice I will give them that, but I think they're a little overpriced compared to other clubs of the same quality, but doesn't get pushed as hard brand wise (Wilson Staff is a great example).

[scagnetti]

If you want the combination of spin, soft and forgiving my answer to this is Ping wedges. I've been through several Callaway, TM, Cleveland, Mizuno, Nike, KZG etc. plus the odd Vokey.

 

Soft may mean forged, but then the faces wear and the spin decreases......

 

Forgiving points to Ping with their damped cavity backs. Cast, so faces hold up well. And soft because of the damped cavity. You can play any of the older ones like Tour-W and Tour-S as well as Gorge and Glide - they are all good.

 

The exception to the above is the notorious 58* Vokey K grind....... the Bunker Queen if you can deal with 11* or 12* bounce in a wide sole. Alternative is the new 6* K models from Wedgeworks which is the lob wedge of choice for some of the Tour players.

 

http://www.vokey.com...ts/k-grind.aspx

 

It's funny you mention PING, as I play the patented Eye 2s set, which has a 50.5* PW & a 57.5* SW (and no LW), and have been searching through oodles of wedges to fill the yardage gaps that have been created by better ball striking. I looked at the GLIDE and GORGE, and the Eye 2 XG and Gorge wedges, and I swear none of them 'felt right' for me, just the original Eye 2s... still looking, and it's getting expensive. and frustrating.

 

Eye 2+ SW is around 53.5 degrees. Find one with a shaft to your liking.

 

smart fella... been looking. overseas as well...

 

in all fairness, I don't have anything shipped here. bad history with customs. someone in that department likes to play golf, and cares not if your parcel 'gets lost'

 

happened a few times when ordering off eBay and other places, direct.

[dlygrisse]

Large variety of loft and grind options. Lots of tour guys use them because Bob Vokey spends time working with them and getting their wedges the way they want them.

 

Vokey is a lot like Cameron, they have done a great job marketing them, and they get them in the hands of a lot of tour players. That being said I think they are really good wedges.

[2putttom]

Lot of different loft and bounce options

^^^^^ this.

[irwinfletcher77]

Have the Tvd k and v grind for my 54,60. It's not that they are better I just think the grinds set up really well for me and allow me to do everything I want. Digger so the K is really good for me on full shots and out of the sand. V grind is really easy to open up for lobs

[NevinW]

Vokeys are great wedges with lots of options. I think there are other wedges that are just as good but I've never seen any that were demonstratively better. I'm playing MD3's right now, but wouldn't hesitate to put Vokey's in the bag.

[scagnetti]

Vokeys are great wedges with lots of options. I think there are other wedges that are just as good but I've never seen any that were demonstratively better. I'm playing MD3's right now, but wouldn't hesitate to put Vokey's in the bag.

 

i guess what i am most curious about is what makes them demonstratively better, setting aside the options inherent in the series.

[dtjohnson2696]

One big thing is the new progressive cg in the sm6's. Lowers ball flight on the higher lofts and raises the flight on the lower lofts. No other company has that, it is something I'm surprised hasn't been done before. Vokey is also a simple wedge, looks very nice and also has a great feel. No other company has the options Vokey has either, many bounce and grind options. And also for the gear head you an design your own wedges through wedgeworks. People like to have the options that Vokey offers. They also go the extra length to get these in the hands of golfers by having wedge fittings. Theres just no other company that does what they do.

[Bigmean]

Vokeys are great wedges with lots of options. I think there are other wedges that are just as good but I've never seen any that were demonstratively better. I'm playing MD3's right now, but wouldn't hesitate to put Vokey's in the bag.

 

i guess what i am most curious about is what makes them demonstratively better, setting aside the options inherent in the series.

.

 

Nothing. Want a great titliest wedge? Find a brad faxon forged on ebay for under $70 in ok shape. That club I biasedly think was amazing. Great grind and trajectory etc.

[Bigmean]

Also, whatever happened to the nomad wrx treated wedges?

 

I had a Cleveland gap from them and it was freaking awesome....could rip balls off greens with it. And low trajectory.

[SilverBullets]

Over the last few years I have hit extensively with 3 different wedge sets. Currently, I am gaming the Mizuno T-5's. Prior to that it was a set of SM4s. In between I tested and messed around with Mack Daddy 2's. Here's what I will say:

 

The Mizzys are the softest, by far. They have the best feel (at least in my opinion). But they spin the least. The grind and bounce offerings on the mizzy are limited, but, the options they have just flat out work. I have never played a lot of spin, so, having a wedge which doesn't spin a ton isn't a problem in my eyes. It's kind of how I play anyways. The Mizzy's are really appealing to the eye at address.

 

The Vokeys are really solid all around. Kind of like an all-season tire. They are just really solid. The look solid, they are decently soft, they have a decent amount of spin, and they perform well. They feel a bit firmer than the mizzys, but, they spin more. They, however, have a plethora of grind and bounce offerings. So they can really be customized and fit to your swing. Other than that, the Vokeys don't really excel (at least in my opinion) in any one thing. They are just dependable and well performing clubs.

 

The Mack Daddys. IMO had by far and away the worst feel, but, have the most spin by far. Almost like a snow tire. I was able to spin them and back balls up out of almost every lie. Which is not my normal game. They are very good wedges if that is what you are going for. For me, it wasn't. I couldn't get past the dead feeling of the face. I have friends, however, who swear by these clubs. It's all just preference.

 

In the end every OEM makes a good set of wedges today. It's no different than the rest of the bag. It's just what meets your eye, what feel you like, type of shot you play and what fits your swing.