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2009 Pro V1x - SM Vokey - wear?


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I just read the sandtrap.com review of the SM wedges from Vokey. I've been planning on getting some SM wedges this summer, but after reading the following statement:

"The only downside to these high-spinning wedges remains a common one amongst all high-spinning wedges with sharp grooves: ball wear. Spin Milled Vokeys will shred some balls with softer covers. I rarely hit a full wedge shot, so my V1xs survive quite a few holes. But hit a hard lob wedge from 75 yards with a V1, a BlackMAX, or a B330-S and you'll probably be putting a new ball in play on the next tee. That's just the way it is."


I'm nervous about putting them in my bag. I've never had a problem putting enough spin on the ball, and I'm concerned that these wedges will simply tear up the Pro V1x, which is the ball I planned to play most this summer.

So how bad is it? I've got to be honest, I couldn't help but reconsider purchasing, or hitting a wedge that may cost me a ball each time I take a good swing.

"take a couple weeks off - then quit for good"

 

- X-460 Tour 10.5 Fujikura Stiff
- War Bird 15deg 3 Wood
- MX-23 Irons
- Vokey 52 + 55deg wedges
- 900 60deg Low Bounce - Studio Design 1.5 - Pro V1x - SG4Sun Mountain Carry and Great Divider Cart Bags.

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I carry the previous edition of the Vokey SMs. Yes they do cut the ball. I always got three little cuts on my ball with a little rooster tail hanging off. This only happened, for me, on full shots. It does get better after a couple months of playing twice a week, sooner if you play more. Iacas mentioned in a Mizuno MP-T review that he softens those grooves with 50 or so sand shots. I softened mine by hitting them a lot at the driving range. This also helped me dial in my disatances. FWIW my Callaway X-Forged did the same thing.

The problem might not be as bad on harder distance balls. During this period I was hitting NXT Tours, Pro-V1s (practice balls) and Bridgestone B330s & e5s.

If you don't need the spin, you might consider the Vokey 200 series. They are very consistant as well. Of course if you are not dead set on Vokeys, the MP-Ts are supposed to play like a SM that has been broken in.

Good Luck!
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I play pretty much only ProVs and get plenty of spin out of my spin milled wedges and have had very little problem with having balls ruined. Only a couple scuffed that were really noticeable and played a lot, really an overrated concern. Haven't played the new ones, but they are supposed to be more durable.

909D3 (Voodoo, stiff)
King Cobra Comp 5w (YS 5.1 Stiff)
AP1 4,5; AP2 6-P; Vokey 252 08, SM56 14, SM60 08 (Nippon N.S. Pro 950GH Regular)
Newport 2 Mid Slant

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I would, as a previous posted suggested, go to the range, or your practise area, and hit some old balls to take some of the edge of the grooves.

That said, I don't find that my 54 degree cuts up the balls at all, whereas my 58 can leave obvious marks as to where you hit the shot, but not too bad that I would change the ball. Then again, I don' spin the ball that much.

Anyway, what I was trying to say is that I think the lower lofted SM are designed with less harsh grooves, so you don't get as much shred on full shots.

In my Freestyle standbag

Driver: FTiQ 10° Reg ZCOM Shaft
3 Wood: G10 5 wood TFC 129 Stiff Shaft
Irons: I5 3-PW DG R300 steel shaftsWedges: 54° Vokey SM & 58° Vokey SMPutter: Redwood AnserBall: Z-Star

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I would, as a previous posted suggested, go to the range, or your practise area, and hit some old balls to take some of the edge of the grooves.

Oh, BTW at the moment I am playing Bridgestone B330-RX's.

In my Freestyle standbag

Driver: FTiQ 10° Reg ZCOM Shaft
3 Wood: G10 5 wood TFC 129 Stiff Shaft
Irons: I5 3-PW DG R300 steel shaftsWedges: 54° Vokey SM & 58° Vokey SMPutter: Redwood AnserBall: Z-Star

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So how bad is it? I've got to be honest, I couldn't help but reconsider purchasing, or hitting a wedge that may cost me a ball each time I take a good swing.

It probably depends on how you strike the ball and how new the SM wedge is, but imagine getting a new ball and putting four little slices at an angle into the ball, each about a centimetre long. In other words, it could be a candidate for the shag bag after one hole. That's my experience.

Why do you think some pros go through a dozen or more per round? - it's not just because they get 'em for free.

In the race of life, always back self-interest. At least you know it's trying.

 

 

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In my experience the SM vokeys will shread balls if you compress it good. I can live with some minor scuffing and keep playing, but ive flat spotted softer balls with the SM's. I tried the NXT tour, but they will shread those as well. Eventually i dumped my 54 SM for a 200 series vokey. Ive been happy with the results. No utterly ruined golf balls and more distance because less spin. I only hit my SM 54 100 yds max. I can hit my 200 110-115 with a smooth swing. I still carry a 58SM, but i never take a full swing with that club, so the damage to any balls isnt enough to take it out of play.
THE WEAPONS CACHE..

Titleist 909 D2 9.5 Degree Driver| Titleist 906f4 13.5 degree 3-Wood | Titleist 909 17 & 21 degree hybrid | Titleist AP2 irons
Titleist Vokey Wedges - 52 & 58 | Scotty Cameron Studio Select Newport 2 Putter | ProV1 Ball
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I've got a SM 56 and 60 and don't find that they tear the ball up too bad, at least not enough to want to switch clubs. The new proV1x and proV1 line are supposed to be much more durable than last years model, so it may not even be a problem anymore.

R7 SuperQuad 10.5 Aldila nv 65-s
Burner 15 UST proforce V2
Pro Gold Tour Prototype 23 Matrix Ozik
Pro Gold Tour Prototype 18 Matrix Ozik
AP2 5-PW Vokey SM52.08Vokey SM56.10Vokey SM60.04 Studio Style Newport 2

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If you want the spin, you are going to have to accept your golfballs getting a little chewed up.
If you are that worried about it, you will either have to go with a golfball with a slightly harder cover (such as an NXT or a Bridgestone E series) or you will need to go with wedges that have less aggressive grooves, such as the Vokey 200 series.

Whats in my :sunmountain: C-130 cart bag?

Woods: :mizuno: JPX 850 9.5*, :mizuno: JPX 850 15*, :mizuno: JPX-850 19*, :mizuno: JPX Fli-Hi #4, :mizuno: JPX 800 Pro 5-PW, :mizuno: MP T-4 50-06, 54-09 58-10, :cleveland: Smart Square Blade and :bridgestone: B330-S

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If you want the best, the balls getting eaten is the price you will have to pay. It's not too bad unless you take a full swing and make great contact. I am a sweeper so I find that I dont need to worry about it as much.
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If you want the best

I believe what you mean (or what you should say) is if I want the MOST SPIN.

I'm not sure I want or need the MOST SPIN. I can pull a ball back with my old worn out 200 and 300 series wedges with a "distance" ball on a full swing from the fairway, so having more spin on those shots will probably be a problem for me. The only time I NEED more spin is if I'm on the short side of a green and want the ball to just drop and stop, or check and roll out very slightly. In fact while looking at the Pros bags, I'm noticing that lots of them are still using 200 series wedges or other wedges that don't necessarily have the most spin. On the recent santrap podcast B Vokey said as much. Lots of Pros don't want the extra spin, and the more I think about it, I'm not sure I do either in my gap or sand wedge. Maybe in a Lob wedge because of the types of shots I use it for...

"take a couple weeks off - then quit for good"

 

- X-460 Tour 10.5 Fujikura Stiff
- War Bird 15deg 3 Wood
- MX-23 Irons
- Vokey 52 + 55deg wedges
- 900 60deg Low Bounce - Studio Design 1.5 - Pro V1x - SG4Sun Mountain Carry and Great Divider Cart Bags.

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I believe what you mean (or what you should say) is if I want the MOST SPIN.

Before long it wont be an issue anymore because the super-spinny wedges will no longer be available.

If you spin the ball pretty well, you might want to just go with 200 Series Vokeys and not have to worry about your golfballs getting chewed up. I used to have a Vokey 200 Series 60* and Im not the greatest ballstriker in the world and I managed to get decent spin with them while using Nike One Platinum golfballs. So, I dont think you abosolutely need SMs. Only you really know whats best for your game though.

Whats in my :sunmountain: C-130 cart bag?

Woods: :mizuno: JPX 850 9.5*, :mizuno: JPX 850 15*, :mizuno: JPX-850 19*, :mizuno: JPX Fli-Hi #4, :mizuno: JPX 800 Pro 5-PW, :mizuno: MP T-4 50-06, 54-09 58-10, :cleveland: Smart Square Blade and :bridgestone: B330-S

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Note: This thread is 5503 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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