Vokey SM8 vs RTX Zipcore

[hypergolf]

For those who have tried both. Could you please compare.

 

Also could you please note the difference between spinner shaft and regular wedge flex (S200) shaft.

 

Thanks in advance.

[HateTheHighDraw]

I have both, with S400 TI shafts. The Zipcore (Raw) spins a bit more loft for loft compared to the SM8. Both feel and look great.  Comes down to subjective preference really 

[drvrwdge]

I’m looking for this exact comparison. 

[Mookieb10]

Would love to hear as well. Those Zipcores look so tight to me. Beautiful little tear drops waiting to hit beautiful little flighted 3/4 shots and pitches. Ummm. I could eat them up. I gotta get me a couple, thinking a 52* and a 60*. 
 

SM8... you’re never gunna go wrong with Vokey, but man, I enjoy the 7’s more than the 8’s to be honest. 

[hypergolf]

Seriously? Non of the golf hos... oops... I mean golfwrxers have tried these two face to face?

[consultnj]

I had both. 50-56-60

 

I liked the look and feel of the Cleveland’s more. They feel great!

But, I found them to dig very easily. which was unusual for me, as I’m a sweeper 

 

I didn’t love the feel of the vokeys, and the look is ok for sure, but!, they seem to just perform. 
 

Those leading edges on the Cleveland’s look so nice, but do look sharp..and seem they are in fact sharp and don’t slide great

 

im a 3 handicap, and actually play on firm-ish Los Angeles turf

[zrheisler22]

Played both, currently have the zipcore in the bag. There really isn’t a ton of difference between the two from what I can tell performance wise. I’ve got the 54 mid (was 56s) and 58 low (was 60m). 
 

I do prefer the feel and look of the zipcore, but that’s just me and obviously there will be others that are completely the opposite.

 

5hcp in the upper Midwest. 

[rchera3]

I have the RTX Zip Core 54.10 and 58.06 and love them! I hit the SM8 also and did not like them as much as the RTX Zip Core. 

[Baroo]

Been testing both for a few weeks now, they are both nice wedges, I think it comes down to preference on feel and grinds.

 

I liked the F, D and LB K grinds in the Vokeys, ordered the raw custom grinds from Cleveland to match, albeit there isn't really a comparable LB K grind in the 60 for the zipcores.  

 

While I have not fully committed to the zipcores yet, that is the direction I am leaning towards.  Not that they have a distinct advantage vs the Vokeys, just been working for me a little better lately.

[Chuck905]

I obviously prefer my Cleveland’s because the grind and bounce works well for me. If a Vokey grind and bounce works for you, then that’s the correct choice; Vokey gives you more choices.  I mostly hit lofted wedges with an open face and that’s where the Cleveland shines for me.

 

Feel, spin and control is superb. Its very satisfying and confident inspiring to be able to hit those low biting spinners around the greens.

 

Haven’t hit any full shots with the spinner shaft yet so no complete answer but in the past I prefer the TI S400 shaft for full shots. I think the TI S200 is 128 grams vs 132.  With that being said, I am getting away from hitting full wedge shots and focusing more on 3/4 or partial swings controlling the flight and spin which the spinner shaft does well.

 

I went with a high bounce 54-12 SW and a low bounce 58-6 LW for maximum versatility since I play a mix of courses across Canada. I also eliminated a set of wedges this way as well, moreover, my short game has improved committing to one set of wedges vs two sets.

 

Edited November 19, 2020 by Chuck905

[GolfNPizza2]

10 hours ago, Baroo said:

Been testing both for a few weeks now, they are both nice wedges, I think it comes down to preference on feel and grinds.

 

I liked the F, D and LB K grinds in the Vokeys, ordered the raw custom grinds from Cleveland to match, albeit there isn't really a comparable LB K grind in the 60 for the zipcores.  

 

While I have not fully committed to the zipcores yet, that is the direction I am leaning towards.  Not that they have a distinct advantage vs the Vokeys, just been working for me a little better lately.

What grind and then custom grind did you do on the zipcores?

[Baroo]

4 hours ago, Mattn1106 said:

What grind and then custom grind did you do on the zipcores?

On lower lofts, I softened the leading edge.  On 56 and 60, toe and heel relief.

[QuigleyDU]

zips look and feel better to me. They do seem to come up a bit short on distance though.. 

[hypergolf]

Are you guys taking price into consideration when you say you are choosing Cleveland over Vokeys?

 

Or purely performance?

[Baroo]

I'm talking performance

[Doctorkell]

I have the ZipCores in 50 Mid, 56 Mid and 60 Low. Ordered from Cleveland at 1* flat. Came out of an SM6 50F, 56S and an SM7 60L setup. Also have Jaws MD 5’s in same lofts. (And various other wedges...). I looked at and tried a few SM8’s and would have no problem playing them but the Cleveland’s are everting I want in a gap, sand and lob wedge. Look, feel, balance, weight and spin is as good as I’ve played. Very impressed with the new TT Spinner shaft. I find my distances to be on par or maybe even a couple years longer than my Vokeys and they are very consistent yardages. I play Z785 irons and they seem to flow perfectly (Srixon, Cleveland family). Couldn’t be happier with mine. And price had nothing to do with my purchase. 

[hypergolf]

Just placed order for Tour Satin Zipcore w/ Modus Wedge 115.       ^_____________________^

Edited November 20, 2020 by hypergolf

[hypergolf]

I got to try RTX Zipcore demo club at a local golf store today.

 

Oh wow!!!

 

It looks better than the pictures that are posted online. And the feel....

 

Yuuuuuuummmm....

 

Can't wait for my custom wedges to arrive.

 

Edit: Got excited and forgot to add this part. Full shot spin rates are very close: Vokey SM8 vs Zipcore. But hands down Zipcore for partial shots!!!

 

 

Edited November 23, 2020 by hypergolf

[golfboy123]

Both great wedges, comes down 2 what suits your eye 👁 

[hypergolf]

My order will be arriving in couple weeks. Just bumping to see if we can get more reviews since more people should have had a chance to play around with these 2.

[TimBuma]

Will be following this as well. My sm7s will be replaced and most likely it’d be one if these two or the md5s.

[Eagleman]

I did a wedge fitting right as the zip cores were being released. I so badly wanted the zip cores, they feel nice and look great, but I got the most consistent spin and distance out of the Sm8s. After trying to make the numbers do as I want and make the ZipCores better, it just didn’t happen and I ordered a set of raw SM8s and I’ve been very happy with them. Especially with all the options you can get. Love the 60° L, but I’m currently waiting on a 60° T to play with. I don’t think you could go wrong with any of them, hopefully you’re able to go head to head with a launch monitor so you can see any differences

[hypergolf]

Thought I bump this to get opinions from wider audience now that they have been out for a while.

[JoeFrigo]

looking for this exact comparison. Ive had SM8's since august and they've done everything I want. Feel is ok but after playing RTX4 for almost 2 years im strongly considering trading SM8's for Zipcore's

[hypergolf]

7 hours ago, JoeFrigo said:

looking for this exact comparison. Ive had SM8's since august and they've done everything I want. Feel is ok but after playing RTX4 for almost 2 years im strongly considering trading SM8's for Zipcore's

 

The one thing that really stood out for me with Zipcore compared to RTX4/SM8 is head stability. Feels more stable even on slight mishits. Zipcore also feels more dense compared to RTX4. Strangely for me, I prefer SM7 to SM8.

 

My personal order of preference with these wedges:

 

1. Cleveland Zipcore

2. Vokey SM7

3. Vokey SM8

4. Cleveland RTX4

[sniper]

I’m a long time Vokey player but I’m tempted by the Zipcore. I really like my SM8 58M, like my SM7 54S and don’t seem to get along with my SM7 48F bent to 49. 
 

I’m probably going with ZX7 irons so I’m thinking of a Zipcore 50 Mid. Does the mid grind match up with the ZX7 sole?

 

Btw...the Tour Racks look amazing.  Is there a 58 Mid in the Tour Rack?  I haven’t seen one listed. 

Edited February 25, 2021 by sniper

[hypergolf]

3 hours ago, sniper said:

I’m a long time Vokey player but I’m tempted by the Zipcore. I really like my SM8 58M, like my SM7 54S and don’t seem to get along with my SM7 48F bent to 49. 
 

I’m probably going with ZX7 irons so I’m thinking of a Zipcore 50 Mid. Does the mid grind match up with the ZX7 sole?

 

Btw...the Tour Racks look amazing.  Is there a 58 Mid in the Tour Rack?  I haven’t seen one listed. 

 

I currently use Z Forged irons which have lower bounce than ZX7.

 

No issues using 52 mid and 58 mid bounce Zipcore wedges. Mid grind has 10* bounce.

[smvolkma]

I have tried both and I use the zipcore Raw.  Great turf interaction with the mid grinds.  I went with a modus 115 and the feel is wonderful.  I also think the heads feel softer.  Obviously, vokey has more stock grind options which is great.  Good luck!  Both are good!

[odshot68]

I carry three brands of wedges and play as a plus. Mizuno t20 50,54 they don’t spin as much and blend to my mp20mb. Sm8 d grind which is great in rough and sand and damp conditions. Then zipgrind 62 bent to 63 for tight lies and high landed shots. The Cleveland definitely spins more than the equivalent vokey

[nova6868]

I was very interested in trying the new Zipcore Tour Raw with a custom grind. Specifically I wanted a 58 Mid with the heel grind. Figured this would be something like a Vokey M or D grind. However the website says they are no longer taking custom orders. I don't know if they were just overwhelmed with orders or what...

Edited February 25, 2021 by nova6868