Review: Titleist Vokey SM8 Brushed Steel Wedge
By Curated Experts
Nate Cox, Evan Mendyk, Ben Dever, Ari T, Vincent P., Christos L. and Joshua Malutan
7 photos
The Curated Take
4.8/5
The Vokey SM8 is a high-performing blade-style wedge, ideal for advanced golfers seeking precise control over spin, trajectory, and shot shape. Its forged construction delivers excellent feedback and soft feel. Distinct features include the capacity to fine-tune spin on approach shots and around the greens, offering a robust mix of controlled stop and roll-out. Despite its slight punishment on mishits, its benefits of precision and control, paired with an appealing brushed steel finish, make it a top choice for proficient players.
Ideal for
- Distance control
- Consistent spin
- Ability to work and spin the ball in both directions
- Excellent sound
- Precise feel and feedback
- Great for full shots off the fairway
- Versatile bounces and grinds allow players to hit a wide variety of shots from around the greens to longer pitch shots and flop shots
- Great look
Not ideal for
- Not optimal for the high handicap golfer
- Being a true blade wedge makes it unforgiving on mishits
- Can be difficult to hit certain shots depending on the bounce and grind
- Durability isn't the best
- Many different options to choose from, so players must have a good idea of what fits their game before owning
Full Shots
The Vokey SM8 is a blade-style wedge. With that being the case, it will provide someone with the maximum amount of precision and control available. Still, it will also punish...Read more
Spin
It is fun to be able to hit a wedge that rips back 15 feet, but that isn't always the best shot to play. I like to be able to...Read more
Feel
The Vokey SM8 is a blade-style forged wedge. This means they provide the maximum feedback on each shot off the clubface. I know when I make a good strike and...Read more
Sound
I love how this wedge sounds. I like a slightly dead, "thwacky" sound when I hit the ball. I strongly dislike a club with a pingy sound off the clubface....Read more
Greenside Spin
Around the greens has been one of the most impressive things about the performance of this wedge. There isn't much more of a satisfying shot than a low skipper that...Read more
Expert Reviews of the Titleist Vokey SM8 Brushed Steel Wedge
Nate Cox I have played Vokey wedges for years and have never had a reason to switch. The SM8 wedge is absolutely stunning to look at in the brushed steel finish and has the feel and feedback off the face to match the look. I am a low-handicap golfer who likes to work the ball both ways, and I feel that I am the ideal golfer to use this wedge. It is a true blade-style wedge, and the benefits of playing this wedge are something that a lower handicap golfer can take advantage of, including good workability, controlling flight and spin, and having great feel and feedback. A higher handicap golfer will more likely experience the main drawback of a true blade-style wedge: lack of forgiveness. My experience playing this wedge has definitely shown me that it will punish me on mishits, either in distance, direction, or both. If someone is a high-caliber player, give these a look because they won't disappoint.
Evan Mendyk The Titleist SM8 has a great squared-off look and distinct grooves for alignment. This wedge also has micro-grooves between each groove, which helps with spin and consistency. The brushed steel finish looks great and wears nicely. This finish also eliminates most of the glare from the sun. This wedge is all-around one of the best in full shots, pitch shots, and chip shots and provides top performance with an equally great look.
Ben Dever Vokey wedges have been a staple in the golf industry for decades. This wedge performs well year after year and can be customized to suit any situation someone finds themself in on the course. It spins well out of any lie and provides instant feedback based on the feel at contact. Ideal for a player that takes their game seriously and wants a wedge that can be tailored to their game.
Ari T Titleist Vokey wedges offer the most bounce and grind options for any retail wedge, allowing them to fit a much broader amount of players. Everyone can find their correct Vokey wedge, whether steep or shallow. They also offer the best grinds for opening the face and versatility. They aren't forged, but the 8620 carbon steel heads give a great feel.
Vincent P. The Titleist Vokey SM8 wedge is a great wedge for all players. The wedge is super forgiving, making it great for new players. Also, the club has many different grinds and bounces, so it is versatile. It is also good for low handicappers as the wedge's feel and workability are great. Overall, Vokey wedges are suitable for all players.
Christos L. Better for the more accomplished wedge player. There are many options for bounce and grind that allow players to fine-tune their club for the shots they like to play. Supreme control and versatility instill confidence around the greens, from greenside bunkers to longer pitch shots. There won't be a pin that can't be reached. Workability and control over spin allow for better pitch shots and more versatility in shots around the greens. Ideal for players looking for more control in their hands around the greens.
Joshua Malutan The Vokey wedges are great for all mid to low handicappers looking for a solid wedge to control around the green. The spin offered off the face around the green increases consistency and control for all players. The SM8 has a great feel for full shots off the fairways, making it the most well-rounded wedge.
Product Specs
| Gender | Men's |
| Used (Y/N) | No |
| Club Type | Wedges |
| Grip name | Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360 |
| Shaft weight | 130g |
| Model year | 2020 |
Review Ratings
Full Shots
4/5
Nate Cox gave 4 of 5 stars. The Vokey SM8 is a blade-style wedge. With that being the case, it will provide someone with the maximum amount of precision and control available. Still, it will also punish them for their mishits. If a player does not hit it out of the center or very close to it, they will see a drop-off in performance which is expected from a blade. On good strikes, however, this wedge performs immaculately.
Spin
5/5
Nate Cox gave 5 of 5 stars. It is fun to be able to hit a wedge that rips back 15 feet, but that isn't always the best shot to play. I like to be able to control the amount of spin on an approach shot into the green, so I don't spin the ball back off the green. The SM8 wedge allows me to do that better than any other wedge on the market. I have full confidence that if I make a good swing and hit the shot I want, I know how my ball will react when it hits the green.
Feel
5/5
Nate Cox gave 5 of 5 stars. The Vokey SM8 is a blade-style forged wedge. This means they provide the maximum feedback on each shot off the clubface. I know when I make a good strike and when I mishit one. It also has an incredibly soft feel being a forged blade, so hitting one in the center of the face almost makes it feel like I didn't hit anything at all, which I love.
Sound
5/5
Nate Cox gave 5 of 5 stars. I love how this wedge sounds. I like a slightly dead, "thwacky" sound when I hit the ball. I strongly dislike a club with a pingy sound off the clubface. I must say that for my preference, the Vokey SM8 wedge sounds exactly like what I am looking for.
Greenside Spin
5/5
Nate Cox gave 5 of 5 stars. Around the greens has been one of the most impressive things about the performance of this wedge. There isn't much more of a satisfying shot than a low skipper that stops on a dime, and this wedge can do that. In conjunction, I can also play the chip or pitch around the green that rolls out like I want. Overall, controlling spin around the greens with this wedge is great.
FAQs
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Nate Cox I have played a lot of golf with this wedge in the last year and a half, and there is a lot that has impressed me. I have had a lot of shots that I have been very pleased with, but my favorite moment has to be holing out for eagle from 115 yards with my 52-degree wedge. Chip-ins come with relative regularity, but it is definitely not every day that someone holes out from the fairway 115 yards out. Electric.
Why did you choose this product?
Nate Cox I have played with Vokey wedges for many years now. My first set of Vokey wedges were the SM4s, and then I had the SM6s. And now I have the SM8s. Just because I have played with Vokey wedges for a long time doesn't mean that they were the automatic choice the last time I looked to upgrade my wedges. I tested a bunch of different wedges, and it ended up coming down to the Callaway Jaws 5s, TaylorMade MG3s, and the Vokey SM8s. I ultimately chose the SM8s because they provided me with everything I needed to control spin, shot shape, and trajectory, but with a better weight for my preference. My experience with the other two is that they felt heavier, and the slightly lighter clubhead of the SM8s helped me feel like I had better control over the clubface.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Nate Cox When the SM8 was released, it sat at about $160/wedge, which is not cheap compared to other options on the market. I believe that in terms of value, it is worth it for the more advanced player. It will give someone all the control they desire from their wedges. Additionally, one can now find the SM8 cheaper than $160 because of the release of the Titleist SM9 wedge.
What do you love about this product?
Nate Cox With the Vokey SM8 wedge, there is truly a lot to love. I am a low-handicap golfer who wants as much control over my wedge as possible. I want to be able to control the ball's flight, trajectory, and spin on both approach shots and around the green. There are a lot of great wedges on the market that can provide that, but to date, the Vokey SM8 is the best. Additionally, the brushed steel finish is just stunning to look at.
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Nate Cox
Golf ExpertEvan Mendyk
Golf ExpertBen Dever
Golf ExpertAri T
Golf ExpertVincent P.
Golf ExpertChristos L.
Golf ExpertJoshua Malutan
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