SM4 60-10 M Grind
Pros: Flawless in Execution - grind works for all but the most aggressive players
Cons: Needs more weight balanced throughout club, leading edge needs to sit lower to ground, a little more bounce would add to its playability
A forgiving lob wedge that does everything well. I thin it fits an aggressive player, but not a true driver/digger - that player needs more bounce.
I like a lob wedge with bounce and relief in heel, toe, and trailing edge. I also like a leading edge that won't dig and will play easily in firm conditions without a decent lie, and play out of soft or river (firmer) sand because those are my typical conditions.
The Vokey SM4 60-10 works for me in all but the worst lies. In bare lies, the leading edge needs to sit lower to the ground. In the wet, it doesn't slide easily - more bounce needed.
The sole is narrower than the wide, flattish 58-12 (M Grind) and it suits my slider, driver swing - meaning I take a divot, and if I hit it slightly fat or set up a partial swing around the greens for a fat shot, I will get a slide, not a dig in all conditions, except for mud. In mud, I've got to come in more shallow and pick a bit.
Out of medium rough around the greens with the Vokey, one can be aggressive, straighten the arms at the ball, and get stoppage. In deep rough where I can't see the ball, it pops up nicely with predictable run. It is easy from the fairway - the sole is not wide. Out of bunkers, I open the face, and allow the bounce to open on the downswing and obtain excellent results. On partial/delicate shots around the greens, hinge and hold type shots, or soft pitches, you get real bite with a urethane ball.
Using bounce for pitches - if you lay the club open and the shaft vertical or back - then you need some grass. The leading edge sits up and doesn't help you with confidence. An aggressive swing will work using the bounce, but a tiny mistake will have the leading edge hitting ball instead of sliding. In those conditions, be a little more conservative with this wedge.
Durability - I've used the Vokey frequently since March practicing a new swing around the greens - the first several grooves show some wear but played it this week and it bit tremendously. I'd say the heat treated grooves wear well. I also have a DG Spinner as the shaft and it helps with spin and height.
In sum, the Vokey SM4 is a superior wedge that does everything well, especially around the greens, for my particular swing type (aggressive but not a digger - more of a trapper), and since the head shape is a tad larger than previous versions, it offers more forgiveness this year. The only caveat is pitching off barish lies where you have the shaft vertical or slightly back - the leading edge sits up. The bite of the ball is high, and durability is excellent. Check it out.
