Titleist Vokey SM9 Wedge Review: Feel like a pro

Name: Titleist
Item: Titleist Vokey SM9
Rating: 10
Author: Matt Chivers

If you can afford it, the Titleist Vokey SM9 wedge range could improve every type of golfer's game.

Matt Chivers

14 May 2022

Brand

Titleist

Price

£159.00

Pros

Maximum forgiveness; incredible ball striking; flight path improvement

Cons

On the expensive side

GolfMagic Equipment Editor Alex Lodge was custom fitted for a set of Titleist Vokey SM9 wedges and put them to the test on the golf course.

You know what you are getting with a Titleist Vokey wedge: great performance, smooth connections off the club face and just a great club all-around. In fact, we consider it the best golf wedge available.

The SM9 wedges represent a small but significant improvement on the previous SM8 model. Titleist has endeavoured to control your ball flight and control your distances with this release.

Premium clubs come at a premium price. The Titleist Vokey SM9 wedges are £159, but we believe an investment would guarantee more consistent wedge play.

Alex took the new clubs to Mannings Heath Golf and Wine Estate to assess their performances and discover what makes this release from Titleist tick.

WATCH OUR TITLEIST VOKEY SM9 WEDGE REVIEW:

Titleist Vokey SM9 wedge - Key Features

The SM9 wedges are the brand's newest wedge after the SM8 model. Although there aren't huge improvements from the old model, we did enjoy the subtle refinements that Titleist has made.

Titleist has optimised the CG in these wedges to encourage a lower ball flight. This is meant to increase the control over your wedge shots and increase the spin too.

The construction of the SM9 wedges encourages a one-hop-and-stop style. This feature will be even more noticeable if you've already had the SM8 wedges in your bag for over 75 rounds.

The SM9 wedges come in six different grinds: F, M, S, D, L and K. Finding the right grind is important, as Titleist is always keen to deliver ultimate shot versatility with their Vokey wedges.

Player Level

There's no reason why these wedges shouldn't suit any type of golfer. With the improvement in ball-striking and forgiveness, every type of golfer would benefit from the SM9s in their bag.

At £159, we would advise that golfers at the start of their careers financially build their way up the ladder and begin with cheaper purchases, rather than diving in to the Vokey market. If you do, make sure to be custom fitted.

Titleist Vokey SM9 wedge - Looks and Feel

Immediately, we thought the feel was good across the clubface with the SM9 wedges.

Alex felt his ball flights were satisfying and with the ball-striking qualities these wedges have, you can feel like a pro at times.

Titleist Vokey SM9 wedge - Performance and Forgiveness

While hitting shots with 52, 56 and 60-degree editions, Alex found that his ball-striking was good even when he hit shots out of the toe or the heel of the club.

After you've been custom fitted for these clubs, you will reap the rewards. Alex found that after the clubs were constructed around his swing, he was able to maximise the forgiveness and performance that they offer.

We found that bad shots were tighter in dispersion and bad ball-striking is often forgiven. This increases confidence in your wedge game whether it is from 60 yards or 100 yards.

Alex tested the SM9 wedges from around the green too. With each wedge, he found that when fully committing to his shots, these wedges will often deliver a smooth connection from the club face and impressive spin rates too.

Should you buy the Titleist Vokey SM9 wedge?

After some great results from both long-range and short-range, it didn't take us long to declare our love for the Titleist Vokey SM9 wedges. It is yet another impressive addition to the Vokey timeline, which never seems to disappoint.

Although the SM9 model doesn't represent a massive change from the SM8 model, you will notice a clear difference in quality if you have used your SM8 wedges for a long time.

The SM9s will provide a fresh, spinny and confident outlook to your play from 100 yards in and around the greens. The optimised CG allows for more control and more spin and the feel of the club face is satisfying and forgiving.