FIRST LOOK: Meet the all NEW Vokey SM8 Wedges

Vokey wedges are the gold standard for wedges.  Bottom line.

Whenever a competitor releases a new model, the first thing it is compared to is the current Vokey model to see which offers the better package of spin, loft, bounce, and grind options, feel and general usability.

But this isn’t surprising when you realize that Vokeys are often setting up the winning shots in at least one, if not more, Majors every year. Case in point: Brooks Koepka with SM7s at the 2018 and 2019 PGA Championship and 2018 U.S Open and Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas both with SM6s at the 2017 Open Championship and 2017 PGA Championship, respectively. In light of the foregoing, it’s easy to see why Vokey wedges have been #1 on the PGA Tour since 2004.

For 2020, Vokey has sought to push the envelope even further with the SM8 by groundbreaking Progressive Center of Gravity (CG) design concept that originated with Vokey Design SM6. By moving the CG so far forward that it actually hovers in front of the wedge face, Vokey and his R&D team have made the SM8 a wedge that wants to square every time. As a result, the SM8 provides improved distance and trajectory control, better feel and increased stability for more consistent results. In other words: more birdie opportunities.**

**Amateur Golfer Results Might Vary

“The first time I had guys hit SM8 was on the range at Riviera,” Vokey said. “I always listen to the sound they’re making at impact, and it was phenomenal. ‘Solid but soft’ was how they described it. They loved it. That means they’re getting the proper feedback that you need to execute every type of wedge shot, whether you’re in the fairway, in a bunker or around the green.

They also talked a lot about the flight. It’s in a better window, it’s more consistent, and they have more control of it. Overall, guys just kept telling me how easy it was to hit every type of shot they wanted to hit. They just felt like they were getting more of out of the wedge – and that’s because Kevin and his team were able to push that CG forward out in front of the face, to a place we never would have imagined 20 years ago.”

In addition to the new CG placement, the SM8 will feature Vokey’s six Tour-proven sole grinds—F, S, M, K, L and D—that allow golfers of all skill levels to be precisely fit for their swing type (steep, neutral, shallow), shot making style and course conditions (firm, neutral, soft).

Likewise, the SM8’s patented Spin Milled grooves are meticulously engineered and cut to the edge to maximize spin and shot control. Each groove is individually cut on each head and 100% inspected for conformity to the rules of golf, with microgrooves, likewise, individually cut in between grooves, which maximize spin on partial shots. And to help ensure the grooves maintain their effectiveness after prolonged pay, a proprietary heat treatment is applied to the impact area to double the durability of the groove without affecting feel.

Notably, more than 100 SM8 wedges were immediately put into play by 37 players at the year-ending RSM Classic during the first week it was available. In the brief time thereafter, several plays have claimed victory with the help of their SM8 wedges, including Tyler Duncan (RSM Classic), Adam Scott (Australian PGA Championship) and, most recently, Cameron Smith (Sony Open).

Brand new for the SM8, golfers will now have four (4) finish options, starting with the new Tour Chrome that features a softer chrome finish than the prior generation. The darker Brushed Steel is more textured and dynamic than the polished SM7, while maintaining a non-glare finish in the playing position. Raw Jet Black is enhanced with black paintfill in the logos and graphics.

Raw—the most popular option among tour players, in which no additional finish applied to the 8620 carbon steel—is available through custom order.

For anyone eager to start their 2020 with fresh grooves, the new Vokey Design SM8 wedges are available for pre-order in golf shops worldwide and through Vokey.com beginning February 11th. But in the event you want to see them in-person first, the SM8s will arrive in shops on March 6. Either way, Vokey’s newest creation will retail at $159.