New SM7's

[deep18]

I have heard that the jet black finish is exactly that, it's all black, paintfill and all, proper stealthy look

 

That’s kinda sexy that they’d do that.

[jchaywood]

Got an email from Titleist, apparently they're showing them to tour guys at the Shriners on Monday. Maybe we'll see some more pics

[Chote konez]

Regarding raw Wedges. I remember when Cleveland RTG was popular. All of the good players had raw and very few used chrome. That was for the ams.

When good players switched to Vokey they wanted to keep the chrome.

 

But then satin finish started showing up on tour. Everyone on these boards wanted satin finish or tour chrome. They would talk about how much better they were. They would pay $300-$400 per Wedge just to have that finish. Vokey recognized that and started brining those to market. Other companies followed.

 

But now we have the clowns on these boards saying "I would use these, but I really need a raw Wedge". Give me a break. You just want something that is different than what everyone else has.

 

What’s wrong with wanting something different? Is there something inherently bad with that?

[elwhippy]

If Titleist listened....Raw and Oil Can would be standard offerings. Maybe not in every outlet but available at no extra cost. Like someone wanting x100s or a different grip.

[SASpeeder]

Regarding raw Wedges. I remember when Cleveland RTG was popular. All of the good players had raw and very few used chrome. That was for the ams.

When good players switched to Vokey they wanted to keep the chrome.

 

But then satin finish started showing up on tour. Everyone on these boards wanted satin finish or tour chrome. They would talk about how much better they were. They would pay $300-$400 per Wedge just to have that finish. Vokey recognized that and started brining those to market. Other companies followed.

 

But now we have the clowns on these boards saying "I would use these, but I really need a raw Wedge". Give me a break. You just want something that is different than what everyone else has.

 

So what is wrong with that?

[bladehunter]

A friend was good enough to send me pics, can’t wait for these wedges to be released

Hopefully we won’t have to wait long.

Oh yeah? Show me

 

Lol

[mctrees02]

I'll play devil's advocate here for a minute. One issue with bringing raw wedges to standard retail is how to prevent wedges rusting before they get in the consumers hands. If they are rusted on the rack, the average golfer isn't going to buy them. Nike had a hard time moving their Engage wedges in golf shops because of this. They tried to coat them in wax the first go 'round and it was a pain for all parties involved, but if it was taken off the wedges started rusting - and if left sitting there long enough it was pretty much impossible to get off. They finally started covering them with a thick plastic wrap and it worked much better, but that was well after the product had been out for a while. That being said, I think Titleist (and other companies - looking at you TaylorMade) could sell a good number of them without ever putting that finish on a physical store rack. List them on your website for custom order (not marking them up 100%) and watch the orders come in.

selling them at the same price as retail but making them “online only” would just further serve to piss off the big box stores who continue to lose sales to online platforms.

[payup]

This is from the email from Titleist

[The General]

Regarding raw Wedges. I remember when Cleveland RTG was popular. All of the good players had raw and very few used chrome. That was for the ams.

When good players switched to Vokey they wanted to keep the chrome.

 

But then satin finish started showing up on tour. Everyone on these boards wanted satin finish or tour chrome. They would talk about how much better they were. They would pay $300-$400 per Wedge just to have that finish. Vokey recognized that and started brining those to market. Other companies followed.

 

But now we have the clowns on these boards saying "I would use these, but I really need a raw Wedge". Give me a break. You just want something that is different than what everyone else has.

raw and satin chrome have a different sound/feel. I play the raw wedge because of the feel. Does that make me a clown?

[cvhookem63]

I'll play devil's advocate here for a minute. One issue with bringing raw wedges to standard retail is how to prevent wedges rusting before they get in the consumers hands. If they are rusted on the rack, the average golfer isn't going to buy them. Nike had a hard time moving their Engage wedges in golf shops because of this. They tried to coat them in wax the first go 'round and it was a pain for all parties involved, but if it was taken off the wedges started rusting - and if left sitting there long enough it was pretty much impossible to get off. They finally started covering them with a thick plastic wrap and it worked much better, but that was well after the product had been out for a while. That being said, I think Titleist (and other companies - looking at you TaylorMade) could sell a good number of them without ever putting that finish on a physical store rack. List them on your website for custom order (not marking them up 100%) and watch the orders come in.

selling them at the same price as retail but making them "online only" would just further serve to piss off the big box stores who continue to lose sales to online platforms.

 

Then let the big box stores sell them online too.

[averywood4]

Got to hit some last week. They look great in person!

[pr1mo990]

Some more images from Titleist. I actually like the look of the SM6's better but these are still very nice.

 

 

 

[TK3309]

Love how clean the SM7 wedges look. I think they are the best looking SM wedges made yet.

 

Interesting to see white paint fill in some of the pictures and black paint fill in others though. Wonder what we will see come retail. Personally I think the black looks a bit better.

[youngwaldo]

This is the reason that I want raw wedges. I've gone through two 60* Tour Chrome SM6s this year where the plating has worn out and it's looks like I'm 2-3 layers deep on the sole now. Sent it back once and they replaced it, but said it was only cosmetic from normal wear and that it was a one time replacement. Now, do I buy raw SM6s, or wait 6 months after the SM7 release to get raw SM7s?

 

I got the Jet Black, cleaned up with alcohol, and applied the distilled white vinegar technique to remove the black finish. Although not a purely raw wedge, it looks similar and wears well without showing the contrast of chrome/worn chrome .

 

Can you post some pix for us to see? Thanks.

 

Wk

[gaffs]

I would prefer the SM7 being next to the rotor logo, or even better on the hosel, rather than under the BV. It does'nt sit right under the BV, imho.

Also, i wonder where the grind is stamped? On the hosel maybe?

[chisag]

I would prefer the SM7 being next to the rotor logo, or even better on the hosel, rather than under the BV. It does'nt sit right under the BV, imho.

Also, i wonder where the grind is stamped? On the hosel maybe?

 

 

... I have been in a focus group where they wanted our opinions on a logo. It is an amazing endeavor. 20 different people and just about 20 different opinions, even among those that agreed on a specific logo. The OEM's are in a lose-lose situation whenever coming out with new aesthetics.

 

... I have told this story before but Bridgestones J33cb's might have be the best looking clubs I have ever seen. Very subtle and just beautiful to my eye as well as many other forum members. But the feedback form retailers was "No bling and no shelf appeal". So they came out the the J36's that had some frosting and blue black stripes and a B logo button. The feedback was "Colors don't work and it is too busy". OEM's can't win.

 

https://Not allowed because of spam.com/wp-content/bridgestone-j33.jpg

 

https://cdn-s3.si.com/s3fs-public/golf/2014/11/29/article_images/BridgeJ36_600_0.jpg

[deep18]

I would prefer the SM7 being next to the rotor logo, or even better on the hosel, rather than under the BV. It does'nt sit right under the BV, imho.

Also, i wonder where the grind is stamped? On the hosel maybe?

 

The grind is stamped on the toe side of the sole, under the loft and next to the bounce.

[CallawayLefty]

 

Some more images from Titleist. I actually like the look of the SM6's better but these are still very nice.

 

 

Seconded. I feel like the SM6 actually look better. I'll reserve final judgment until I see them in person. The SM6 were just so solid, it's kind of hard to top them.

[chiefgolf]

How long will it be until we see the retail finishes that will be offered?

[jaymay82]

They clearly moved the location of the "SM7" stamping to give more space for custom stamping more characters like: MASHED POTATOES.

[conan007]

How soon are they talking about??? I know they talk after the PGA show. But that doesn't sound soon to me. That's still more than a couple of months away. If they follow past releases they won't be out until the second half of February. Sorry guys but I'm keeping my fingers crossed this come out much sooner.

[KirkNo-yes]

I got to handle a current PGA tour players today ( he hadn't hit it yet). Looks very similar to his SM5 wedge but needed some touch up on the grind to get a little more trailing relief and heel relief. Looked a little more tear drop shape than previous models though. His was raw so can't comment on finish.

[odshot68]

Any leak about a 64?

[lawrencedc1]

I got to handle a current PGA tour players today ( he hadn't hit it yet). Looks very similar to his SM5 wedge but needed some touch up on the grind to get a little more trailing relief and heel relief. Looked a little more tear drop shape than previous models though. His was raw so can't comment on finish.

 

So... these are larger than the SM6's and more comparable to the SM5 head size?

[taylorx300]

SM6 will drop to 119 map on 11-17, just a fyi

[KirkNo-yes]

I got to handle a current PGA tour players today ( he hadn't hit it yet). Looks very similar to his SM5 wedge but needed some touch up on the grind to get a little more trailing relief and heel relief. Looked a little more tear drop shape than previous models though. His was raw so can't comment on finish.

 

So... these are larger than the SM6's and more comparable to the SM5 head size?

 

I held one SM7 that was an exact same loft (custom loft) and grind as the previous version used. It was a lob (type) wedge and it looked more like an SM5 size head than the SM6. More rounded leading edge and much higher heel top line

[mackepa]

I liked the size of the SM5 wedges especially in the higher lofted wedges. I felt I could hit it higher on the face on open faced shots and not get punished as much.

[jjl]

Agree that the SM6 looks better to me than the SM7, at least the back of the club. looks like an older Vokey design, and i like the curve in the back going the other way. Will reserve judgment until I see them at address.

[Yellow Jacket]

Just picked up a SM6 52F on BST without knowing that SM7 photos are out. Looks like I won't be missing out on much, phew!

 

Hoping for something other than Chrome available in lefty, too. I know they make the black finish but I'd really prefer just a raw or unplated brushed silver look. The chrome is murder on my eyes in the sun, it's one of the things I dislike about my MD2's. The black is cool but would require stripping... not a huge deal but still extra work.

and the "raw" black doesn't really rust that much once it's stripped (in comparison to a truly raw wedge). I just hope that one of these days WedgeWorks will offer more lofts for lefties in raw. To not even be able to buy a raw gap wedge is a pretty big disappointment IMO.

Really? That's a disaapointment. My old TM RACs rusted a bunch which I Love because it keeps the face nice and rough. My MD2's are chrome plated and after 3 seasons now they feel "slippery" compared to the old RAC's. I just get on better with the grind on MD2 so I keep using them and try to use height to stop the ball instead of spin.

Just to clarify, rusting on wedges does NOT increase spin. In fact, it actually DECREASES spin.

[Paul065]

Just picked up a SM6 52F on BST without knowing that SM7 photos are out. Looks like I won't be missing out on much, phew!

 

Hoping for something other than Chrome available in lefty, too. I know they make the black finish but I'd really prefer just a raw or unplated brushed silver look. The chrome is murder on my eyes in the sun, it's one of the things I dislike about my MD2's. The black is cool but would require stripping... not a huge deal but still extra work.

and the "raw" black doesn't really rust that much once it's stripped (in comparison to a truly raw wedge). I just hope that one of these days WedgeWorks will offer more lofts for lefties in raw. To not even be able to buy a raw gap wedge is a pretty big disappointment IMO.

Really? That's a disaapointment. My old TM RACs rusted a bunch which I Love because it keeps the face nice and rough. My MD2's are chrome plated and after 3 seasons now they feel "slippery" compared to the old RAC's. I just get on better with the grind on MD2 so I keep using them and try to use height to stop the ball instead of spin.

Just to clarify, rusting on wedges does NOT increase spin. In fact, it actually DECREASES spin.

 

On full shots? Chip shots or both?