The Titleist Vokey SM6 wedges have taken a step up in performance thanks to a ground breaking centre of gravity design.
The Vokey SM6 wedges use a Progressive Centre of Gravity (GG) design to place the CG precisely in the impact location for each specific loft.
The higher the loft of a wedge the higher up the face impact typically occurs, so by positioning the CG where you will hit the ball gives players more precise control of distance and trajectory.
Engineered using cutting-edge CAD technology to position the weight, it is clear from looking at the back of the wedges how the weight distribution changes from low on the face to high as you progress up through the set. This is a big change from the design of the previous generation Vokey SM5 wedges where the CG moved in the opposite direction.
The lower lofted 46º to 52º SM6 wedges have a low CG that is a precisely aligned progression from a typical iron set and increases ball speed on average by 1.5 mph, which translates to 3-5 yards of distance. The design of these wedges therefore features a thinner topline and a raised lower section.
The mid lofts of 54º & 56º have a mid CG position that is precisely aligned between the low lofts and high lofts to provide precise distance gapping in the set and a seamless feel.
The higher lofted wedges from 58º to 62º have the CG placed higher to produce a tighter distance dispersion, improved trajectory control and better feel. Again the technology is visible on the clubs with a raised upper section that precisely aligns the CG with the impact position on higher lofted wedges.
Jordan Spieth, who typically carries four SM6 wedges, explains the importance of having the centre of gravity correctly aligned:
With the higher CG on my 60 degree SM6, I can miss a shot out of the rough and it’s still going to go around the same distance. That’s important, because with certain lies it’s tough to know what the ball’s going to do. You’re just not always going to hit it on the centre of the face. To be able to have that inconsistency on your first strike, but still see the consistency in the ball control, that’s something that’s going to be an advantage over anybody else we’re playing against.
CG is not the only performance story in the SM6 wedges however. The wedges are available in Bob Vokey's five tour-validated sole grinds (L, M, S, F, K) to give versatility, match swing type, shot making style and typical course conditions.
The L Grind, available in 58º and 60º, is an enhanced heel, toe and trailing edge grind for maximum versatility and is the best fit for firm playing conditions.
The M Grind, available in 54º, 56º, 58º, 60º and 62º, is a heel, toe and trailing edge grind that allows for maximum versatility around the greens and is suited to both shallow and neutral angles of attack and for firm or medium conditions.
The S Grind, available in 54º, 56º, 58º and 60º, is a trailing edge and heel grind that gives stability on full shots while maintaining greenside versatility and is suited to players with a neutral or steep angle of attack and for medium to soft course conditions.
The F Grind, available in 46º, 48º, 50º, 52º, 54º and 56º, has a traditional full sole with medium to high bounce that makes it an all-purpose wedge for all swing and courses and it is particularly suited to full shots.
Finally the K Grind, available in 58º and 60º, is a wide soled wedge that is excellent from the sand with a camber that enhances its versatility around the green and is suited to neutral and steep swings in medium and soft conditions.
The final piece of the SM6 performance jigsaw are the 100% inspected new proprietary Spin Milled TX4 grooves and face texture that combine to deliver up to 200rpm more spin than the SM5 and more consistent spin control.
The TX4 grooves are engineered with a machine milled, parallel face texture to give a sharper, more consistent groove edge and also have loft specific geometries.
SM6 wedges with lofts of 46º to 54º have narrower and deeper grooves whilst from 56º to 62º a wider and shallower groove, seven percent larger in volume, better channels away grass, sand and debris to give a cleaner ball-to-edge radius contact.
Each of the Vokey SM6 wedges are available in three finishes of Tour Chrome, Jet Black (raw) and a new Tour Silver.