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

[bobgeorge]

What shafts did you all put in your SM5s?

[rdmcdaid]

Tour Issue S400

[scratchswinger]

TVD SM5's will be released in May

[KCTitleist11]

I just bought a new set of the SM5s 48-08 F, 54-14 F, & 60-08 M the monday after they came out and had a set of red winn dri-tacs put on all 3. I had the old SM3s 48, 52, 56, & 60. I just sent the SM5s to Wedge Works to have them then stamped with a "KC" snow effect and then sending them over to Tom Slighter to do the paintfill. I'm going with KC Chiefs Red, Yellow, and White. Vokey has some weird thing where they wont change the paintfill in anything thats stock on the wedge.

Either way, I can't WAIT to hit them and these wedges are going to see a lot of work when I get them. I'm just playing out the start of the season with my SM3s until I finally get to hit them in a month or so. It's killing me lol

[shootstill]

looking for education - where is the difference between the new Raw Black SM5, and the TVD offered Black Oxide?

They appear to [i]look[/i] the same - but I am sure they will age differently - any confirmations/experiences?

[Philipp]

[quote name='KK524' timestamp='1395815184' post='8952957']
RAW ANYONE??

[attachment=2141197:0 (1).jpg]

[attachment=2141193:0.jpg]

[attachment=2141195:image.jpeg]
[/quote]

Bump...

Would really like to know the process?
Did you glass blast them???

[mikes919]

I've finally gotten a few hours of practice in with my SM5's on actual grass! With the "warm" weather in Chicago this week I was able to get onto the local golf center's short game practice area a few times this week. I put my wedges through the paces on all kinds of shots, up to about 75 yards. Before this week, I've only been able to hit off mats. Here are my initial thoughts:

50.12 (F-grind): Perfectly stable on 1/2 swings and up. Love the way I can go after the ball without worrying about digging. Switching from the CB3 gap wedge (pretty wide sole) I was worried that I would be taking big divots on 3/4 swings. Not the case at all. I'm happy with my decision to stick with the stock S200 shaft, I can feel it load on shorter swings and it seems to keep me from over-swinging. I am still getting used to this club on short pitches and chips. I really need to concentrate on making clean contact and keeping my hands forward or I'll skull it. Much more than my CB3 gap wedge. But the distance control is great when I make clean contact. I think with another month of practice it will be great.

54.10 (S-grind): Mixed feelings on this one. Overall, it digs more than I was expecting. I'm considering switching to a full sole in this spot. I know the S-grind is meant for people who don't manipulate the face much, but my best results with this club were with a slightly open face. I basically found myself playing 3/4 and full shots with a square setup, and anything shorter with an open face. So clearly I need more bounce in this spot. I did find this club to be perfect for greenside chips, with just the right amount of bounce for playing off the fringe or fairway. My original intent was for this to be my primary club from 100 yards in, unless a special situation called for the 50 or 60 degree. It might end up as my club for chipping and harder fairways only. Unless I swap it for a full-sole. We'll see, I've still got a week left on my Golfsmith 30-day playability guarantee.

60.11 (K-grind): WOW. I have never been so immediately happy with a golf club before. Instant confidence with this thing. Straightforward pitches, flop shots, sand shots, chips, everything. I have never hit so many decent sand shots in a row. This is going to be my go-to club for everything inside 50 yards. If I chunk it with this club, it means I put a god-awful swing on the ball. I guess this is confirmation that I am a digger, because this club fits my swing perfectly. It was great on everything but the tightest lies. Even then, squaring up the clubface and playing a straightforward pitch shot was fine. Love it.

[Brianm423]

[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1396586617' post='9016933']
TVD SM5's will be released in May
[/quote]

Has Titleist made any announcements regarding this? I just ordered a TVD-K last night

[KevCarter]

[quote name='mikes919' timestamp='1397050381' post='9053389']
I've finally gotten a few hours of practice in with my SM5's on actual grass! With the "warm" weather in Chicago this week I was able to get onto the local golf center's short game practice area a few times this week. I put my wedges through the paces on all kinds of shots, up to about 75 yards. Before this week, I've only been able to hit off mats. Here are my initial thoughts:

50.12 (F-grind): Perfectly stable on 1/2 swings and up. Love the way I can go after the ball without worrying about digging. Switching from the CB3 gap wedge (pretty wide sole) I was worried that I would be taking big divots on 3/4 swings. Not the case at all. I'm happy with my decision to stick with the stock S200 shaft, I can feel it load on shorter swings and it seems to keep me from over-swinging. I am still getting used to this club on short pitches and chips. I really need to concentrate on making clean contact and keeping my hands forward or I'll skull it. Much more than my CB3 gap wedge. But the distance control is great when I make clean contact. I think with another month of practice it will be great.

54.10 (S-grind): Mixed feelings on this one. Overall, it digs more than I was expecting. I'm considering switching to a full sole in this spot. I know the S-grind is meant for people who don't manipulate the face much, but my best results with this club were with a slightly open face. I basically found myself playing 3/4 and full shots with a square setup, and anything shorter with an open face. So clearly I need more bounce in this spot. I did find this club to be perfect for greenside chips, with just the right amount of bounce for playing off the fringe or fairway. My original intent was for this to be my primary club from 100 yards in, unless a special situation called for the 50 or 60 degree. It might end up as my club for chipping and harder fairways only. Unless I swap it for a full-sole. We'll see, I've still got a week left on my Golfsmith 30-day playability guarantee.

60.11 (K-grind): WOW. I have never been so immediately happy with a golf club before. Instant confidence with this thing. Straightforward pitches, flop shots, sand shots, chips, everything. I have never hit so many decent sand shots in a row. This is going to be my go-to club for everything inside 50 yards. If I chunk it with this club, it means I put a god-awful swing on the ball. I guess this is confirmation that I am a digger, because this club fits my swing perfectly. It was great on everything but the tightest lies. Even then, squaring up the clubface and playing a straightforward pitch shot was fine. Love it.
[/quote]

Extremely helpful and informative. Thank you very much for taking the time. I've always enjoyed the M grind, but the more I read, the more I want to try the K.

Cheers!

Kevin

[KevCarter]

[quote name='KCTitleist11' timestamp='1396590333' post='9017095']
I just bought a new set of the SM5s 48-08 F, 54-14 F, & 60-08 M the monday after they came out and had a set of red winn dri-tacs put on all 3. I had the old SM3s 48, 52, 56, & 60. I just sent the SM5s to Wedge Works to have them then stamped with a "KC" snow effect and then sending them over to Tom Slighter to do the paintfill. I'm going with KC Chiefs Red, Yellow, and White. Vokey has some weird thing where they wont change the paintfill in anything thats stock on the wedge.

Either way, I can't WAIT to hit them and these wedges are going to see a lot of work when I get them. I'm just playing out the start of the season with my SM3s until I finally get to hit them in a month or so. It's killing me lol
[/quote]

After you play the new wedges for a few weeks, it would be very helpful to many of us if you would share your feelings about playing with 3 instead 4 wedges, and how it affects your gaps.

Thank you,
Kevin

[Hstead]

I picked up a 54 S grind in black yesterday. Brought it home, gave it a naval jelly bath, swapped the shaft with a KBS Black Nickel, bent it 2*, and I am going to throw a grip on it this evening. I have a TVD K 58 I like already and have rotated a Ping Gorge WS 54 and an Edel 54 Driver in the bag with the Edel staying in most of the time. I will be anxious to see how the S grind works for me. I couldn't decide between the S and the M. Also, as far as making the BLack Ox raw, it is really easy and looks much better to me now.

[mikes919]

Has anyone here bent their chrome wedges? Any issues with the plating when bending 2 degrees?

For my 54, I'm going with one of three options:

1. Stick with the 54.10 S
2. Go to the 54.14 F
3. Go to the 56.14 F and bend 2* strong

I'm leaning towards option #3 but don't want to mess up the chrome. Not switching to a raw wedge either.

[MNoonan]

I ordered a 56.10 S w/ S300. I was thinking of getting the 60.11 K with stock S200.

I like the S300 better for full shots and chips, i only use the 60 from the sand so anything to get the ball up and spinning helps. Any one do the same? Or am i just the weird one?

[Brianm423]

[quote name='mikes919' timestamp='1397058540' post='9054349']
Has anyone here bent their chrome wedges? Any issues with the plating when bending 2 degrees?

For my 54, I'm going with one of three options:

1. Stick with the 54.10 S
2. Go to the 54.14 F
3. Go to the 56.14 F and bend 2* strong

I'm leaning towards option #3 but don't want to mess up the chrome. Not switching to a raw wedge either.
[/quote]

I"ve had no problem bending chrome wedges in the past. As long as you have it done by a someone who knows what they're doing, the chrome finish will hold up.

[mikes919]

Ok great, thanks. I remember reading that when the TVD K's came out last year, Titleist would only bend the California chrome 1 degree. But I'm sure that's just being extra safe.

[bobgeorge]

Just got these babies in the mail today...50F, 54F, and 58K...with GD S300 with sensicore shafts.

 

[SadTrombone]

Beauties. How do you like those grips? Been considering giving them a shot.

[crazygolfnut]

[color="#353535"]bobgeorge, be sure to let us know how you like the K grind. [/color]

[mikes919]

Got out on an empty course today and played 9 holes, hitting 2 or 3 balls the whole time today. Definitely sticking with the S-grind on my 54, it was great off of tighter lies. I think I was just knocking off some rust before, and over-swinging. Out on the actual course I wasn't taking big divots at all. It was perfect for straightforward pitches and chips. Overall I'm very satisfied with my choices. The K-grind is perfect out of greenside rough.

The only thing I'm still getting used to, is that the 60K doesn't need to be opened up very much to play out of the sand. I'm used to laying it wide open, and it really isn't necessary with such a wide sole.

[pr1mo990]

[quote name='Brianm423' timestamp='1397053035' post='9053685']
[quote name='scratchswinger' timestamp='1396586617' post='9016933']
TVD SM5's will be released in May
[/quote]
Has Titleist made any announcements regarding this? I just ordered a TVD-K last night
[/quote]
This isn't exactly official confirmation, but I asked @VokeyWedges this question on Twitter and they said the TVD-K with SM5 grooves will be out later this Spring.

[crazygolfnut]

[quote name='mikes919' timestamp='1397176310' post='9064863']
Got out on an empty course today and played 9 holes, hitting 2 or 3 balls the whole time today. Definitely sticking with the S-grind on my 54, it was great off of tighter lies. I think I was just knocking off some rust before, and over-swinging. Out on the actual course I wasn't taking big divots at all. It was perfect for straightforward pitches and chips. Overall I'm very satisfied with my choices. The K-grind is perfect out of greenside rough.

The only thing I'm still getting used to, is that the 60K doesn't need to be opened up very much to play out of the sand. I'm used to laying it wide open, and it really isn't necessary with such a wide sole.
[/quote]

I am getting the feeling that the 60K or 58K are more of a sand wedge than a lob wedge. Thoughts?

[bobgeorge]

[quote name='minitour' timestamp='1397163047' post='9063531']
Beauties. How do you like those grips? Been considering giving them a shot.
[/quote]

I had these grips on my irons last year. I really like how they feel.

[mikes919]

My 60K definitely doesn't flop the ball as high as my MP T11 with 8* bounce did. But I don't think it's really accurate to call it a "sand wedge" in the traditional sense. It's still a pretty high-lofted club.

[Dizz]

[quote name='crazygolfnut' timestamp='1397178876' post='9065159']
[quote name='mikes919' timestamp='1397176310' post='9064863']
Got out on an empty course today and played 9 holes, hitting 2 or 3 balls the whole time today. Definitely sticking with the S-grind on my 54, it was great off of tighter lies. I think I was just knocking off some rust before, and over-swinging. Out on the actual course I wasn't taking big divots at all. It was perfect for straightforward pitches and chips. Overall I'm very satisfied with my choices. The K-grind is perfect out of greenside rough.

The only thing I'm still getting used to, is that the 60K doesn't need to be opened up very much to play out of the sand. I'm used to laying it wide open, and it really isn't necessary with such a wide sole.
[/quote]

I am getting the feeling that the 60K or 58K are more of a sand wedge than a lob wedge. Thoughts?
[/quote]

What does that mean?

[Yellow Jacket]

[quote name='J.W.' timestamp='1397243768' post='9069653']
[quote name='crazygolfnut' timestamp='1397178876' post='9065159']
[quote name='mikes919' timestamp='1397176310' post='9064863']
Got out on an empty course today and played 9 holes, hitting 2 or 3 balls the whole time today. Definitely sticking with the S-grind on my 54, it was great off of tighter lies. I think I was just knocking off some rust before, and over-swinging. Out on the actual course I wasn't taking big divots at all. It was perfect for straightforward pitches and chips. Overall I'm very satisfied with my choices. The K-grind is perfect out of greenside rough.

The only thing I'm still getting used to, is that the 60K doesn't need to be opened up very much to play out of the sand. I'm used to laying it wide open, and it really isn't necessary with such a wide sole.
[/quote]

I am getting the feeling that the 60K or 58K are more of a sand wedge than a lob wedge. Thoughts?
[/quote]

What does that mean?
[/quote]
I'm guessing he means they play with more bounce, since you want bounce in a sand wedge and you'd like a lob wedge to have less bounce so you can open it up on flop shots.

[KCTitleist11]

Just got these babies in the mail today...50F, 54F, and 58K...with GD S300 with sensicore shafts.

 

 

Love the winn dri tacs on the sm5s. I just sent my sm5s off to wedge works with brand new standard size dri tacs on them

[KCTitleist11]

[quote name='kevcarter' timestamp='1397057588' post='9054265']
[quote name='KCTitleist11' timestamp='1396590333' post='9017095']
I just bought a new set of the SM5s 48-08 F, 54-14 F, & 60-08 M the monday after they came out and had a set of red winn dri-tacs put on all 3. I had the old SM3s 48, 52, 56, & 60. I just sent the SM5s to Wedge Works to have them then stamped with a "KC" snow effect and then sending them over to Tom Slighter to do the paintfill. I'm going with KC Chiefs Red, Yellow, and White. Vokey has some weird thing where they wont change the paintfill in anything thats stock on the wedge.

Either way, I can't WAIT to hit them and these wedges are going to see a lot of work when I get them. I'm just playing out the start of the season with my SM3s until I finally get to hit them in a month or so. It's killing me lol
[/quote]

After you play the new wedges for a few weeks, it would be very helpful to many of us if you would share your feelings about playing with 3 instead 4 wedges, and how it affects your gaps.

Thank you,
Kevin
[/quote]

Absolutely. I've been actually concerned with it. I'm going to miss having that 52 in b/w my 48 and 56.

[OBon18]

The look and performance of the SM5 is great, but IMO they went overboard with all the grinds. In the shop most of these guys have NO clue what a grind is or what it does, and honestly for them it DOES NOT matter.

Leave the grinds to the 5 HDCP and let them grind it themselves. Titleist went too far with 6 grinds in my opinion.

[Yellow Jacket]

[quote name='CoryN' timestamp='1397534385' post='9093783']
The look and performance of the SM5 is great, but IMO they went overboard with all the grinds. In the shop most of these guys have NO clue what a grind is or what it does, and honestly for them it DOES NOT matter.

Leave the grinds to the 5 HDCP and let them grind it themselves. Titleist went too far with 6 grinds in my opinion.
[/quote]
Retail stores won't stock every grind in every loft. They never have. Most will be custom order.

[pu_golf88]

I'm about to order a new 60* and was hoping to get the forums input. I've played various versions 60.04 for 10 years and have finally accepted the fact that I need more bounce. I currently have the 60.04 M Grind with old grooves and wanted to make sure that the 60.08 M Grind won't play the same. The reason I ask is because I noticed the Titleist website states effective bounce, not physical bounce.