Vokey SM4 Review

[Golfnole3]

Ok guys, so this is going to be a long review (in my standards). Notice: This is my first club review so please go easy on me!

I headed to the PGA Tourstop in St. Augustine to be fitted for wedges, yes I realize after that you cant really be fitted for wedges. When I got there and told the salesman that I was interested in the 588 forged, Vokey SM4, and Mizuno MP T-11 wedges he steered me in the right direction. I was thinking before we got there that I would be fitted but I now realize that you cant be fitted for wedges, I'm still a bit disappointed with that verdict. I like to hit the flop shot with my lob wedge and was thinking that I needed a bounce of around five or so. I was wrong, the salesman again explained to me that If you want a bounce of five then you need to be playing on hard or soft ground for every round (I cant remember which) or else your club will dig or something like that. Anyway, The salesman offered to tape the wedges up so I could hit them off of a mat into a net outside but I didn't really learn anything from this experience. I ended up picking out the Vokey SM4's in 54 and 58 lofts with 11 and 12 bounce respectively only because of the great reputaion of Titleist and good things that I've heard about Vokey wedges from my friends and Golf WRX. Onto the review...

I first hit these at my local golf courses driving range, I was very impressed, they had a great feel to them ( I think their forged) and a great look. Two days later I had a golf tournament and I put them in play for the first real time. They performed exceptionally well to me.

Bunker Performance: I hit two bunker shots all day and got out each time. I hit the 58 each time out of the bunker because of a lip in front of my ball that wouldn't have allowed me to use my 54. The feel on bunker shots wasn't as good as my old 60 degree lob wedge but I assume that is because I haven't practiced so much with my new wedges so far. The bounce performed fine in the bunkers.

Shots around the green: I didn't have too many of these since I was hitting more GIR than usual, but when I did these were the absolute BEST! Many of my shots felt very pure, possibly because of the forged feel. I was lobbing, pitching, and chipping the ball right in my "circle" or envisioned landing area for each shot which made me very happy. I didn't have many shots where I needed to hit a flop shot so I couldn't tell you how it performed in that area.

Half to Full Shots: I had more of these shots than usual and didn't execute many of these properly only because of user error, on shot that I did hit well the ball soared in the air quickly and landed with quite a bit of backspin. The bounce performed well on these shots with no excessive chunkiness or thinness. Very happy with the SM4's on these shots.

Appearance: I got my SM4's in the oil can offering and an very pleased with my purchase, they inspire confidence when you are standing over the golf ball. I haven't had these wedges long enough to see how they would wear but the salesman told me that they would get darker and rust causing more spin which I am delighted with!

Thanks for reading, again this is only my first review so go easy on me, but I would love to hear some constrcutive criticism on how I could review clubs better!

[Golfnole3]

Tried to post this in paragraph format, apparently this isn't working... Sorry

[mws92]

Very nice review...I will go easy on you!

The only thing I disagree with is where you said you cant be fitted for wedges. Not true. Many of the titleist performance centers do a full wedge fitting from bounce to grind profile to shaft to loft based on your game and distance gaps. Scratch can do this in person or over the phone. Taylormade and cleveland also have outdoor fittings as well. The problem is you went to a big box store. Im not going to bash them but you need to look a little to find a manufacturer or independent fitting center like Hot Stix.

Also I believe vokeys are still cast but could be wrong. Casting processes are so much better now that they feel very similar to forged.

[fairwayallday]

Vokes are cast unless you pick up the Japanese version. I just got a set of oil can SM4s and I can't wait to strip the finish off and go somewhere warm to put them in use.

[mws92]

Fairwayallday - Are using naval jelly? I need to restock my TVDs and didnt like the high chrome look. I would rather raw out some oil cans.

[J13]

Vokeys are cast wedges. The SM4's look nice but have to say the nicest wedges on the market right now are the Nike DS wedges, Forged with a dual sole grind for all conditions. I've tested them out and LOVED them but currently have Vokey's in play. Come spring the Vokey's will be on ebay

[fairwayallday]

mws,

for sure on the jelly. quick and easy.

[deep18]

Oh and the sales guy at the store is a bit misinformed saying that the rust will create more spin. Not so much.

[Golfnole3]

I thought he didn't have all of his info right also, he said "You need to stop reading all that crap online." When most of the questions I was asking about the SM4's to him came from WRX...[quote name='deep18' timestamp='1324412259' post='3967047']
Oh and the sales guy at the store is a bit misinformed saying that the rust will create more spin. Not so much.
[/quote]

[deep18]

Sounds like he needs to read all this crap cause there isn't a better resource than this site for anything golf (and some things not golf).

[moonshine]

[quote name='J13' timestamp='1324400006' post='3965607']
Vokeys are cast wedges. The SM4's look nice but have to say the nicest wedges on the market right now are the Nike DS wedges, Forged with a dual sole grind for all conditions. I've tested them out and LOVED them but currently have Vokey's in play. Come spring the Vokey's will be on ebay
[/quote]
Awesome choice, just not so sure about the market for used wedges these days. I have seen the latest renditon c-c cally wedges for $59 new online..from a site sponsor.