About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the wedge, which I purchased with my own money in February of 2023.

My take

I absolutely love the Titleist Vokey SM9 Brushed Steel Wedge for its overall performance, quality, and appearance. In my opinion, it is arguably the best wedge in golf. The SM9 is great for everything from a full approach shot and bunker play to various shots around the greens.

About the club I own

• Model: 2023 Titleist Vokey SM9
• Loft: 54° and 58°
• Bounce: 54°: 14 bounce, 58°: 08 bounce
• Grind: 54°: F-grind, 58°: M-grind
• Finish: Brushed Steel finish

About me

• Average Score: 83
• Handicap: 12.2
• Experience: 40 years of golf
• Right/Left-Handed: Right-handed
• Golf Ball Used: Srixon Z-Star
• Angle of Attack: Normal to steep

Test conditions

• When I bought the wedge: February 2023
• Days tested: 10
• Where I’ve used it: Simulator, practice area, and on the course
• Weather Conditions: Chilly and wet, as well as indoors
• Green Conditions: Bent grass greens, running slow due to the time of year

How it performs

What I was looking for

Because wedges tend to wear faster than any other club—and because mine get a ton of play—I usually look to upgrade them every three to four years. I prefer a high-performing wedge, as I use them often around the greens.

Why I chose this club

I’ve played Vokey wedges in the past and have always enjoyed them. They are the first model I look to when exploring a wedge upgrade. It’s always a good idea to shop a few different brands to determine which is best for my game. Regardless of my love for Vokey wedges, I did consider some other options, including the Cleveland RTX Zipcore and Mizuno T22 wedges; however, they just didn’t hold up to the Vokey SM9, which I feel are the best on the market.

What I love about it

• Launch: The launch with the Vokey SM9 is as expected—not too high, and not too low. They create a mid-flight that offers enough of an apex to hold a green.
• Feel: The feel of the Vokey SM9 wedge is unmatched. It offers a phenomenal feel that lets me know I found the center face.
• Spin: Another highlight of the Vokey wedge is the solid amount of spin it generates. But more importantly, it is spin consistency that I love most. Once I get them dialed in, I know what to expect with each wedge.
• Bounce: More manufacturers have caught on and up when it comes to bounce and grind options—something Vokey has been a leader in for years. I am able to select the bounce and grind that suits both my game and preferences. I prefer a higher bounce on my 54° sand wedge, and a lower bounce on my 58° lob wedge—both of which are offered.
• Around the Green: While Vokey wedges are overall great performers, they truly shine around the greens. With the various bounce and grind options, I can order the wedge to suit my play, with less bounce on my lob wedge, and the M grind, which allows me to open the face up easily for flop shots.
• Shaft Feel: The stock shaft on Vokey wedges is a stiffer-flex, decent-weight shaft that holds up well for all swings. Unlike longer clubs, wedges inherently bring a lot of “feel” into the game, so having a shaft that offers it is important.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Some players prefer a chrome look, others a blackout look, but I prefer the Brushed Steel finish. It helps reduce glare, allows the wedges to stand out in my bag, and is simply appealing to my eye.
• Grip Feel: My preferred grip is the Winn Dri-Tac 2.0 in midsize. It provides me a soft feel to help reduce impact vibration. And the midsize fits my larger hands well.
• Innovation: In my opinion, Bob Vokey is one of the most brilliant club designers in the history of golf. I just love that he focuses on improvement between models rather than just inventing a new model name. As a company, Titleist is committed to only releasing a new club if it improves on their current model. Players across the globe appreciate this commitment to innovation and excellence.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Forgiveness: Unlike a cavity back style wedge, Vokeys are blade style. This means they do not offer as much forgiveness as some other wedges. Instead, they offer more versatility to allow a more experienced player to hit a variety of shots around the greens.
• Full Shots: Full shots are not usually a primary concern when shopping for wedges, as the majority of shots taken with them are partial. That said, if I played larger cavity back irons, I might have a bit of an adjustment period when taking full shots with this bladed wedge.

Best Shot with this Wedge

While I haven’t owned these new wedges for long, I’ve played Vokeys for years. So far with this new SM9, the highlight has been chipping. The 54° sand wedge has performed very well, and one of my first chips with this club dropped in for birdie.

Value for the money vs. other options

The best often costs a little more, but with Vokey wedges, the premium in pricing is not an issue. Priced competitively versus several wedge models, the Vokeys outperform all other models I tested. Callaway Jaws, TaylorMade MG3, and Cobra Snakebite wedges are all priced similarly but do not offer as good of feel and performance. The Cleveland RTX Zipcore and Mizuno T22 wedges were both close in comparison but didn’t stack up well from my experience and testing.

Final verdict

In summary, for those seeking a high-quality, high-performing wedge that offers a ton of versatility, the Titleist Vokey is my top pick. Each player can select the right specs for their game in several loft, bounce, and grind combinations. Add in the three available distinct finishes, and anyone is sure to find the right customization for their game.