Titleist Vokey SM5 Wedges: In-hand pics of all grinds and finishes

[Pritam]

[quote name='sbjinx' timestamp='1396038283' post='8970695']
I'm sure it's somewhere in the thread but if I play in firm sand conditions is the K what I want to go with? Keep reading the K is great out of the sand but not sure if it applies to firm/packed sand traps.
[/quote]

K grind is for medium to Soft conditions. I went with the L grind on my 58 because I play firm conditions and will not open it up. I went with the S grind in my 54 to allow me to open it up completely if needed.

[scratchswinger]

Hit these things extensively again today, black raw is heads and shoulders above the other two IMO, Gold Nickel is a very distant third, I think that finish is a mistake.

If I ordered today I would go 50.08F / 56M / 62T

The only thing stopping me from ordering is I want to see what the TVD options are.

[knock it close]

[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1396067811' post='8973189']
Hit these things extensively again today, black raw is heads and shoulders above the other two IMO, Gold Nickel is a very distant third, I think that finish is a mistake.

If I ordered today I would go 50.08F / 56M / 62T

The only thing stopping me from ordering is I want to see what the TVD options are.
[/quote] I know I'm anxious to see the TVD options as well, probably won't be released till summer atleast as titleist has kept them quiet, all I've heard is stay tuned for later in the year.

[bobgeorge]

For guys that use the 54* out of the sand...which grind do you prefer?

[DTown3011]

[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1396067811' post='8973189']
Hit these things extensively again today, black raw is heads and shoulders above the other two IMO, Gold Nickel is a very distant third, I think that finish is a mistake.

If I ordered today I would go 50.08F / 56M / 62T

The only thing stopping me from ordering is I want to see what the TVD options are.
[/quote]

Agreed, gold nickel is no bueno. I'm close to ordering 3 raw black myself.

[bobgeorge]

[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1396067811' post='8973189']
Hit these things extensively again today, black raw is heads and shoulders above the other two IMO, Gold Nickel is a very distant third, I think that finish is a mistake.

[/quote]

Only issues I have with the black raw is I have a tough time picking up the lines..like the vertical line near the toe. Also, I wonder how it is going look over time.

[crazygolfnut]

[quote name='bobgeorge' timestamp='1396147735' post='8978161']
For guys that use the 54* out of the sand...which grind do you prefer?
[/quote] That is a good question. I am thinking about the M grind.

[MacDaddyMike]

I absolutely love the k grind on my 60 degree. Haven't shot above par since receiving it!

[Icemanzacw]

[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1396067811' post='8973189']
Hit these things extensively again today, black raw is heads and shoulders above the other two IMO, Gold Nickel is a very distant third, I think that finish is a mistake.
[/quote]

Does the Black Raw feel any different? Or do you just think the finish is heads and shoulders above the Tour Chrome / Gold Nickel Curious why you think it's head and shoulders above the other two.

[doppler491]

[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1396067811' post='8973189']
Hit these things extensively again today, black raw is heads and shoulders above the other two IMO, Gold Nickel is a very distant third, I think that finish is a mistake.
[/quote]

What makes the Gold Nickel a distant third? Does the plating effect feel?

[Dizz]

[quote name='doppler491' timestamp='1396232913' post='8983939']
[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1396067811' post='8973189']
Hit these things extensively again today, black raw is heads and shoulders above the other two IMO, Gold Nickel is a very distant third, I think that finish is a mistake.
[/quote]

What makes the Gold Nickel a distant third? Does the plating effect feel?
[/quote]

Not at all-- its my favorite finish of the 3. Personally I'm not gonna completely take off a finish from a stock wedge so that's out for me. I do think several guys in this thread did a good job removing the stock black finish though-- but in its stock form I would choose the black dead last. It wears poorly and the rub marks make it look awful to me until you remove the finish... something naturally raw wedges don't have. The new Chrome finish has more glare than previous versions where the Gold Nickel has less in the address position. Totally raw wedges are my preference like my tour TVD wedges and the Gold Nickel looked the closest to those in the address position. Gold wedges have been done before and have been popular so its totally personal preference.... Cleveland came out with the BeCu and BeNi wedges and has success for several years.

To each his own.

[mgholda]

I just received my SM5's in Tour Chrome. I absolutely love the grind options, but already miss the Black Nickel finish. I had the same reservations about the Raw Black finish as JW.

[Yellow Jacket]

[quote name='mgholda' timestamp='1396258788' post='8985091']
I just received my SM5's in Tour Chrome. I absolutely love the grind options, but already miss the Black Nickel finish. I had the same reservations about the Raw Black finish as JW.
[/quote]
I'd be inclined to get Black Nickel SM4's, but the S grind in the 54* is new to the SM5. It's funny, I was happy the 54*11 SM4 was an M grind and it in the 60*, but now that we got it in the SM5, I actually want an S grind in the 54*10. It's probably because everyone from Bob Vokey to Phil Mickelson has advocated for more bounce in our wedges, and what club would that be more appropriate on than the SW?

[bobgeorge]

I was just looking on the TT website & the standard Dynamic Golf shafts (S200) are 127g. Anyone thought about getting a lighter shaft like a DG SL or a KBS Hi-Rev in the SM5?

[Brianm423]

So, thought about this dilema for a few days and decided to order a raw 52 from Hopkins due to the free stamping promo for WRXers. Now, I'll either order a SM5 58K or a 58 TVD-K. Leaning towards the TVD since I can order it with my specs right from the Vokey site. Don't want to deal with my local shop.

[LEftyfromAustria]

Anyone with the black raw wedges out there: How are they holding up, any rust?

[shankman92]

how are these suckers spinning for u guys??

[crazygolfnut]

Did you pick the correct grind? With all of the options, was your pick the correct one?

[jonn443]

[quote name='shankman92' timestamp='1396306432' post='8989857']
how are these suckers spinning for u guys??
[/quote]

+1... More spin then the SM4s?

[scratchswinger]

[quote name='jonn443' timestamp='1396371699' post='8995225']
[quote name='shankman92' timestamp='1396306432' post='8989857']
how are these suckers spinning for u guys??
[/quote]

+1... More spin then the SM4s?
[/quote]

I did not notice any increased spin other than there being fresh grooves.

[scratchswinger]

[quote name='doppler491' timestamp='1396232913' post='8983939']
[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1396067811' post='8973189']
Hit these things extensively again today, black raw is heads and shoulders above the other two IMO, Gold Nickel is a very distant third, I think that finish is a mistake.
[/quote]

What makes the Gold Nickel a distant third? Does the plating effect feel?
[/quote]
[quote name='Icemanzacw' timestamp='1396232864' post='8983931']
[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1396067811' post='8973189']
Hit these things extensively again today, black raw is heads and shoulders above the other two IMO, Gold Nickel is a very distant third, I think that finish is a mistake.
[/quote]

Does the Black Raw feel any different? Or do you just think the finish is heads and shoulders above the Tour Chrome / Gold Nickel Curious why you think it's head and shoulders above the other two.
[/quote]

I personally did not notice any different in feel between the finishes. For me the finish has everything to do with the way the club sets up behind the ball and looks from the playing position. I like the contrast, low glare finish of the black and I like the fact that it will rust and age better. I personally would probably remove the black and just make it raw, but I could easily leave it black and let it age naturally.

Also I think the black and chrome look much better in the bag than the gold, the gold just looks a little gaudy to me in the bag and does nothing for me at address.

[Sidetracked]

I think Raw Black is the best finish followed by Gold, then Chrome. Although I say Gold is second, it is a far second. Chrome falls in third because I can't stand how shiny it is and how much glare it has.

[rdmcdaid]

I actually told a certain member from Ohio that I didn't like his gold wedge ;-) Then like every good WRX'er I went out and bought a Gold Nickel 60K grind from a local golf forum BST close to home.

Paid, picked it and thought Hmmmmmm I know I loved the raw black but was concerned about the finish wear etc. So, on the drive home I took it to a local retailer and took a credit for the gold nickel and ordered the 54M and 58K 2 degrees flat and stock S400 shafts in the gold nickel.

After the weekend I received a call telling me the stock S400 shafts were back ordered. I went in to store and ordered the 46 and 50 in F grinds hoping that the S400 stock shafts wouldn't take too long. After the store called Titleist, they advised the revised ETA. One day later, I ended up switching the entire to Raw Black and shafts to TI S400.

The gold was ok and would likely wear better than the black but the black is just so attractive. If they end up looking like crap, I'll just remove the remaining finish and be done. My old Jaws wedges were a pain in the rear but cleaned up really well with gun blue. So for better or worse the Raw Black are ordered and on their way

[scratchswinger]

To me this is how a wedge should look - I like the worn aged look.

 

[Yellow Jacket]

We know that the SM5 bounce numbers are effective bounces. Were the SM4 bounces "true" bounces or effective bounces?

[rdmcdaid]

To me this is how a wedge should look - I like the worn aged look.

 

 

How many swing did that take? :)

 

Well I guess mine will end up looking good to you as well lol.

 

What do the faces look like?

 

 

[crazygolfnut]

[quote name='Yellow Jacket' timestamp='1396457457' post='9003673']
We know that the SM5 bounce numbers are effective bounces. Were the SM4 bounces "true" bounces or effective bounces?
[/quote]

Good question. Does anyone know?

[Sidetracked]

My wedges were delivered today and I stripped them immediately. I only had Naval Jelly and CLR, no polish to remove the streaking. I kind of like the way the streaks look. Here are some pictures. Sorry for the bad lighting.

 

[Dizz]

Still don't know if I understand why the Gold Nickel is getting so much bad press-- its the #1 selling finish in my small sample size which includes two locally owned golf shops that sell several hundred Vokey wedges per year. From address they don't look any different than my tour Raw wedges... in the bag they don't look [i]that[/i] bad.

If the SM4 Tour Chrome was available I would have just gotten that finish but the new Chrome finish is just too bright. I played today in the sun and brought along a demo SM5 Tour Chrome and at least in Ohio it definitely produces more glare than my Gold Nickel wedges.

Raw takes the cake-- but my tour raw wedges that started raw look better than the black that's striped DIY at home raw. I've taken care of them very well and they look pretty much perfect still after about a season of use. I had this Black Oxide finish in a set of TVD-M wedges and just didn't care for it after a few weeks of use. The worn look is great but the white rub marks into the finish and the black marks all over the rest of the wedges next to it is not for me.

[Daniel Noonan]

I'm all for a raw wedge, but those look terrible without the finish. I think I will let mine age naturally.