V for Vokey Versatility

The Vokey SM10 wedges have been a massive hit since being released at the start of the year. The V Grind takes the total number of grinds available to seven

By Tony Dear

Fans of early morning golf on TV from Continental Europe and the UK have enjoyed some huge treats this year.

The Open Championship from Royal Troon was gripping entertainment as was the Curtis Cup from Sunningdale, AIG Women’s Open at the Old Course in St. Andrews, and the Irish Open from majestic Royal County Down two weeks ago.

This past weekend, those tuning into the action from the BMW PGA Championship played at Wentworth’s famed West Coursegot another thrill when a brilliant final round culminated with a three-man play-off involving Thriston Lawrence, Rory McIlroy, and eventual winner Billy Horschel.

Every part of the Floridian’s game was impressive, especially his wedge play. Horschel’s go-to wedge is the 60-degree (bent to 62 degrees) SM10, V Grind, lob wedge with which he won his eighth PGA Tour title earlier this season, in Dominica, finished second at the Open Championship, and claimed his second BMW PGA victory in three years, on Sunday.

Also favored by Ryder Cup star Ludvig Aberg, the SM10 V Grind is now available through WedgeWorks on Vokey’s website in 58 and 60-degree models. It comes in a Raw finish and with the increased bounce Horschel prefers.

Vokey says the V Grind features “high measured bounce forward on the sole, which works to prevent excessive digging”. When the face is opened, however, its heel, toe, and trailing edge sole relief allows the leading edge to remain closer to the ground, giving it extra versatility. The V Grind, says Vokey, is ideal for players with a steeper angle attack playing in normal to soft conditions.

Horschel has been a big fan for months and says that when he hits full shots there’s sufficient bounce to prevent the club sliding underneath the ball.

“The bounce saves me and the ball,” he adds. “You want to hit it in a certain spot. It’s hitting right up in the second, third or fourth groove when you’re hitting full shots. Then, out of bunkers and hitting flop shots, because of the relief on the backside, it opens up and I can really slide underneath.”

Before putting the V Grind in his bag, Horschel tested the 60.04T (60 degrees of loft, four degrees of bounce, T-grind) but didn’t find it to his liking as the sole was a little narrow and it didn’t have quite enough bounce. The combination promoted contact too high on the face. With the V Grind, he makes contact with the ball lower on the face and gets a consistent flight and spin rate.

“As much as our technique is consistent,” says Horschel, “we deliver the club a little bit differently some weeks. With the T Grind, I sometimes find the ball will just ride up a little bit high and come out with not nearly as much spin. The V gives me that ability to hit down. The bounce sort of engages a little bit more, and the ball comes out lower.”

Aaron Dill, Vokey’s rep on the PGA Tour, says the V Grind is for players with a steeper delivery and a little more shaft lean than standard. “That means they’re delofting the club and taking some bounce away,” he adds. “The V Grind also really suits them in softer conditions, or if they’re playing on courses with grainy turf. That’s where the forward bounce comes into play.”
Vokey says one of the keys to hitting effective, consistent wedge shots is to create a lower, more controlled ballflight with added spin. The SM10 V Grind may help.

$225
Lofts – 58˚, 60˚
Finish – Raw
Shaft – True Temper Dynamic Gold S200
Right-hand only
Visit vokey.com for advanced personalization and custom options

Colorado AvidGolfer Magazine is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com.

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