Are Vokeys Worth the wait?

[bbfifas]

Interested to hear how the fitting goes?  You might think you are just not into a different grind but hpoefully the fitting will determine if indeed one makes a difference over another.  

 

For me I have realized I need high bounce in all wedges.  I like some fancy looking grinds like a T or M or C but reality I NEED the bounce!

 

 

[North Butte]

6 hours ago, bbfifas said:

Interested to hear how the fitting goes?  You might think you are just not into a different grind but hpoefully the fitting will determine if indeed one makes a difference over another.  

 

For me I have realized I need high bounce in all wedges.  I like some fancy looking grinds like a T or M or C but reality I NEED the bounce!

 

 

Last summer I had a couple of golf lessons focusing mostly on wedges (one of the lessons was about 75 minutes entirely on wedges and chipping/pitching). My teaching pro's advice about choosing wedges were two things. One was that more bounce is always your friend. The other was, if you use the correct technique and keep the face at least a little bit open you'll engage all of the bounce and it won't actually matter much. 

 

That kind of sounded contradictory but I know what he meant. We do need some bounce working to help us but it can come from design (high bounce grind) or technique (open face) or both.

 

A few months ago I ended up getting a couple of M grind Vokey wedges that I'd never tried before because they seemed kind of low bounce. But sure enough, as long as I have the slightly opened up they just don't dig at all. Almost like the pro knew what he was talking about!

 

I also have one D grind Vokey and it works find opened up a bit but the extra bounce means I can also square the face up without worrying it about it play too thin or diggy. It's all good.

[von3jack]

Simple answer is, no. If you don't want to wait then pretty much every other major manufacturer (and many boutique companies) make tremendous wedges. Vokey's are great and they have tons of loft and grind options but you can get the same (if not better) performance from almost any other company. 

[iKOH423]

I actually ordered some SM9s back in March, a 56 and 60 and finally got the 60 a week and a half ago.  Nothing crazy just non stock shafts in them.  I didn't realize that they don't run the orders together but they build all wedges by degree and so on through the range.  Was super confused when I only received my 56 at first.

 

For me I had a set of Vokeys when I first started out and throughout most of my 'career' so I just became familiar and was used to them.  I currently am replacing a set of Callaway MD Forged which I wasn't the biggest fan of so I am glad that I can replace them.  I may have to find a couple pre-owned non Vokeys to try out and see, very curious about potentially adding a high-toe wedge.

[ChipNRun]

 

You might consider small-craft companies such as Sub 70 and Haywood, or Terry Koehler's Edison wedges. These shops often promise delivery in 1-3 weeks.

 

Also, Haywood will sell completed club, or just the wedge heads (0.370 parallel hosel).

[Myherobobhope]

On 5/11/2022 at 10:10 AM, bbfifas said:

Interested to hear how the fitting goes?  You might think you are just not into a different grind but hpoefully the fitting will determine if indeed one makes a difference over another.  

 

For me I have realized I need high bounce in all wedges.  I like some fancy looking grinds like a T or M or C but reality I NEED the bounce!

 

 

Fitter was really good… I pulled the trigger on the wedges… quoted an 8 week lead time.

[bbfifas]

1 hour ago, Myherobobhope said:

Fitter was really good… I pulled the trigger on the wedges… quoted an 8 week lead time.

Nice, what grinds you go with?  Did you notice a difference comparing some? 

[North Butte]

I have always (well, since around 2004 anyway) preferred Vokey wedges to other brands. It's what I've used most often, what I'm most familiar with and they are as good as anything on the market. 

 

That said, to the OP's question no I would not wait out the sorts of delays Titleist has been experiencing these past couple years. I'd get something that's readily available and come back around to Vokeys in a couple years when the next replacement cycle comes around. They're good wedges, I like them, but they ain't worth all that.

[Myherobobhope]

3 hours ago, bbfifas said:

Nice, what grinds you go with?  Did you notice a difference comparing some? 

Yeah, we worked through pretty much everything... Mike was great. He was pretty confident in the choices he made, and they confirmed my biases, so I happily agreed with him.

 

54 12 D

58 08 M

 

I regret the 5 degree of bounce 58 I carry right now, the 08M is a great fit for me... The 54 12 D is pretty standard, I think. 

 

He ran me through a bunch of stuff, and we hit some shots out of my rough and I was really happy with the result.

[Myherobobhope]

22 minutes ago, North Butte said:

I have always (well, since around 2004 anyway) preferred Vokey wedges to other brands. It's what I've used most often, what I'm most familiar with and they are as good as anything on the market. 

 

That said, to the OP's question no I would not wait out the sorts of delays Titleist has been experiencing these past couple years. I'd get something that's readily available and come back around to Vokeys in a couple years when the next replacement cycle comes around. They're good wedges, I like them, but they ain't worth all that.

He was confident I'd have them in less than 8 weeks.... we will see if he's right! Had he said 12 weeks, I might have changed my mind. 

 

I looked at the other options, and the biggest hurdle is basically the Callaway wedges are also out of stock. 

 

They were in 2nd place, then Cleveland, then TM... though I didn't try the Mizuno wedges (And don't have a way to hit them on real grass)

 

What sold me, more than anything, was the fitter. Mike. He was awesome. Walked me through the options, and how to hit a variety of shots. I got a valuable wedge lesson on top of a good wedge fitting... I'm hoping they are good fits, and I can just order the same bounce and grind moving forward. I play enough golf I should probably replenish my wedges every year or so... so finding something that works long term would be great.

 

My Sub70 wedges were great, and are even better for the money... I shouldn't have gotten a low bounce option, but every other aspect of them was great. That said, I think to play my best golf, playing a top tier wedge is going to help. My Sub70s never spun like my last set of Vokeys. (I'm aware that new wedge spin wears off...).

 

Titleist still has some of the best people out in the field, even if their supply chain is a mess... I'm hoping Mike was right on the lead time!

[bogeybr0]

I'll keep it real simple, the only time if I decide it's worth is if I like the way it looks and the way it feels in my and when I hit it. If you think it feels all the same in your hands then ask yourself if you like the way it looks. I truly believe that the way clubs look matter to be personally, but only if the price is right you know what I mean?

[Luke'sdad]

As far as any wedge goes, it really should come down to  groove durability and grinds. I replace my wedges typically 2 years out, mainly due to failing grooves. The vast majority of high end wedges are obviously blades, for example, & expecting some earth shattering improvement from an SM8  to an SM9 is unlikely. I mean, how much improvement can a blade design change from model to model? Not like we are touring pro's who can change wedges every couple weeks if needed. Guess my excuse for a new wedge is because out of necessity, not to simply have the newest one available, when it's not any better than my current model. But, to each their own.

[Myherobobhope]

1 hour ago, Luke'sdad said:

As far as any wedge goes, it really should come down to  groove durability and grinds. I replace my wedges typically 2 years out, mainly due to failing grooves. The vast majority of high end wedges are obviously blades, for example, & expecting some earth shattering improvement from an SM8  to an SM9 is unlikely. I mean, how much improvement can a blade design change from model to model? Not like we are touring pro's who can change wedges every couple weeks if needed. Guess my excuse for a new wedge is because out of necessity, not to simply have the newest one available, when it's not any better than my current model. But, to each their own.

I'm replacing wedges that are on their 3rd season... they have almost 200 rounds on them and got used ALOT in the simulator this off season... I'm not replacing them to chase a "Better wedge", I just wanted a new wedge for new grooves, and wanted to spend the time and the money finding the "right" wedge. 

 

I liked the Callaways but they aren't available... I'm happy with the Titliest order, even if have to wait 8 weeks...

 

If it's 12 weeks, I will be less amused.

[KickGolfer]

8 minutes ago, Myherobobhope said:

If it's 12 weeks, I will be less amused.

Placed my order on 02/17 and just got em yesterday. 

 

NEVER doing that again. 

[Myherobobhope]

2 hours ago, KickGolfer said:

Placed my order on 02/17 and just got em yesterday. 

 

NEVER doing that again. 

Haha... this is what terrifies me, but Mike seemed to think they've cleared up the backlog and shouldn't have a ton of issues getting them out in under 8 weeks.

[Pepperturbo]

Worth it???  Depends on how important your wedges are to your scoring.  I recently purchased '2' SM9 wedges, and so far enjoying both.  They do feel and sound different from my SM6 Chrome, but have them setup different. 

[darkman8]

Ordered 3 raw SM9’s on 2/15. Just received them yesterday. The issue wasn’t with Titleist or availability of the heads. It was with the KBS shafts I ordered. KBS was the holdup and not Titleist’s fault. They were very upfront when I placed the order. At the time, they quoted me mid May and they were dead on. I didn’t mind waiting during the end of winter and early spring when the conditions are not ideal. I think one of the problems for some people is that they make the decision to buy new clubs during prime golf season. For me, waiting 12 weeks during spring/summer is much harder then waiting during the winter when most courses are closed and there is snow on the ground. Even before the pandemic, traditionally, April-June are the busiest months for most OEM. Good luck and I hope your order arrives asap. Breaking in my wedges on Bethpage Black today. Lots of tight lies and soft sand, so should be a fun day! 

[Myherobobhope]

45 minutes ago, darkman8 said:

Ordered 3 raw SM9’s on 2/15. Just received them yesterday. The issue wasn’t with Titleist or availability of the heads. It was with the KBS shafts I ordered. KBS was the holdup and not Titleist’s fault. They were very upfront when I placed the order. At the time, they quoted me mid May and they were dead on. I didn’t mind waiting during the end of winter and early spring when the conditions are not ideal. I think one of the problems for some people is that they make the decision to buy new clubs during prime golf season. For me, waiting 12 weeks during spring/summer is much harder then waiting during the winter when most courses are closed and there is snow on the ground. Even before the pandemic, traditionally, April-June are the busiest months for most OEM. Good luck and I hope your order arrives asap. Breaking in my wedges on Bethpage Black today. Lots of tight lies and soft sand, so should be a fun day! 

Yeah, I wanted to do a real wedge fitting finally… couldn’t do it until the season started… 

 

my hope is I like the grinds and bounces and when I need new wedges moving forward I can just order them a few weeks before I need them.

[ezpz]

After getting fit I Ordered 50F/54D/60L 1 flat, s200 shafts, tour velvet grips online. Got them in 4 weeks. I do know that my order was fairly stock so that helps. In the US you can order straight from titleist website and see the wait time I think.

[Davidv]

Absolutely Not.

[Guest]

On 5/10/2022 at 12:14 PM, Myherobobhope said:

I'm going to an SM9 fitting on Thursday... It's time for new wedges,but I'm concerned about the lead time for a custom order (I need mine longer and upright)... Not only that, they cost more...

 

So the question becomes: Are Vokeys still the undisputed king? I am not looking for anything super complicated, and will not get custom grinds on anything... 

 

I hit the Callaway wedges at a recent demo day and liked them alot... Assuming they still have stock, I could likely get them much faster than I could the Vokeys... 

 

Maybe a question for the fitter on Thursday, but Titleist lead times have been long and I have not been impressed with their communication recently. 

 

I'm feeling like I should vote with my wallet... any thoughts?

I wouldn’t wait longer than 2 weeks for custom clubs - order PXG, Sub70 or New Level. 
 

Remember when everyone played 588’s - no special grinds and special finishes didn’t come out until later in their run - we all played fine with them.

 

 

 

 

[davidjohns0n]

Looks like you're playing Sub70s currently per your sig, IMO I like staying with the brand that I'm use to. For me, I have always played Vokey wedges so when I'm due for new wedges, I'll most likely go with the current Vokey generation since that's what I'm use to, kinda like brand loyalty.

 

Never underestimate what a true wedge fitting can do to your game. Getting the grinds and bounces down is a science in of itself, which the fitters at Titliest/Vokey are known for. Get your specs in, place an order for something that can be had at the least amount of wait time, then modify them to your spec once received, and sell the remaining items on BST. Good luck! 

[Myherobobhope]

2 hours ago, davidjohns0n said:

Looks like you're playing Sub70s currently per your sig, IMO I like staying with the brand that I'm use to. For me, I have always played Vokey wedges so when I'm due for new wedges, I'll most likely go with the current Vokey generation since that's what I'm use to, kinda like brand loyalty.

 

Never underestimate what a true wedge fitting can do to your game. Getting the grinds and bounces down is a science in of itself, which the fitters at Titliest/Vokey are known for. Get your specs in, place an order for something that can be had at the least amount of wait time, then modify them to your spec once received, and sell the remaining items on BST. Good luck! 

Yeah, I went to sub70 from vokey… I fit myself and did it poorly.

 

at this point it’s worth investing the time and money and trying what the fitter recommends… he was super helpful and seemed really knowledgeable, so I’m excited to see how much they help…

 

 Now I just wait. 

[KParks]

Worth it is a complicated question... in a vacuum I don't think the wedges are really any better than any of the other current top market participants (Glides, MDs, Zipcores, etc. are all "good" wedges) -- even if the Vokey's cost a few bucks more (for the Vokey name?). 

 

However, if you are particular about what you want (either you know exactly what you want or can get properly fitted ON GRASS) I don't think anybody in the market can match the bounce/grind/loft options that Vokey has and that is definitely worth something.

 

Personally, I just ordered two new Vokey wedges (I play a 51 deg gap wedge and then a 54/48 setup so I don't need to buy 3-4+ wedges) because I was able to get fit on grass trying all the "shots" at our club by the local Titleist rep (shoutout to Jon W in the LA/SoCal area) and that process was amazing.

 

Was a full 45 min fitting of just wedges where we started with a few full swings on the range and then went to our short game practice areas and just kept getting handed different options (blind at first) to see what both he and I liked on all sorts of different shots (which ended up also being a pretty great short game lesson for me as well). 

 

As someone else mentioned earlier, Titleist really does have some of the best reps in the field (at least in my experience) so if you can find one of them on grass for a fitting it is a great experience (and the confidence boost in knowing you've got the right equipment is amazing).  6-8 week wait isn't the best but it isn't totally bonkers these days (helps that I play DG120S in my irons so the "standard" DG S200 shaft is a good fit for me). Can't wait for my 54.10S and 58.14K!

[E.J.]

I'm interested to know when yours arrive.  I'll be in 10 weeks come Thursday.

 

 

[E.J.]

Same boat, though now will be 11 weeks on Thursday.  Order says the same thing since I ordered, "Being Processed"

 

When I contacted them a few weeks back, told build scheduled to start on June 20th, take approx 2 weeks and ship out.  

 

Guess we'll see if something changes in the next day or 2.

[NoTalentLefty]

Yes but Cleveland’s and PXG also make exceptional wedges. 

[kayashimz]

I ordered a set of custom SM9's early May, Titleist currently indicates an 8 week lead time. Is Vokey/WedgeWorks the same, they don't provide any lead times. 

 

FWIW, I also ordered a TSi3 driver, T100 S, and U505 around the same time directly from Titleist's website and received them before the expected lead times. TSI3 in 5 weeks exactly, T100 S and U505 in just under 4 weeks. 

 

I'm not sure why the OP has been having issues with their communication, mine has been great! I get email responses the following day, when I've called them I'm assisted right away. 

[Walk-it-in]

Stock vokeys have a heavier graft than stock Callaway wedges, which can result in slightly better numbers on launch monitors for full shots. I tested and played both and there’s something about the feel of the Vokey around the green pitching and chipping that just beats most. If you play with any regularity, you should be swapping gap and sand wedges every 12-18 months anyhow, so if you have to wait over a month during peak summer time, it might make sense to get the Callaway you can now and replace them in a year or two with the Vokeys if you’re not satisfied. 

[NYYGolfer]

Used vokeys for years, replaced them every 12-24 months. (Depending on wear) after my success with Srixon ZX7, I decided to try Cleveland RTX zipcore Raw. Great wedges, forged feel is excellent. Highly recommend