Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedge Review
GolfMagic tests out the new Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges
Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedges Key Features:
- Progressive centre of gravity: individually calibrated for each loft for maximum performance
- Spin Milled Grooves: each groove is individually cut based on loft and finish; with narrower, deeper grooves in lower lofts (46°-54°) and wider, shallower grooves in higher lofts (56°-62°)
- Tour proven grinds: designed to offer maximum creativity, versatility and consistency, all meticulously developed through years of working with the best players in the world
Titleist's Vokey wedges really need no introduction. They're arguably the most recognisable wedges in golf and are used by a vast amount of Tour players.
This year, Titleist and Bob Vokey released the newest iteration of the popular range, the SM10s.
With their progressive CG, Spin-Milled grooves, and tour-proven grinds, the SM10s promised to be a thrilling upgrade. We were eager to see how they would stack up against their predecessors, the SM9s, and some of the other best wedges of 2024.
To find out, we took them to Mannings Heath Golf Club before investigating the data at Custom Golf Works in Woking.
Player Level
The SM10 wedges offer Tour-level performance that could benefit golfers of any handicap.
Due to their high price point, however, we would suggest these wedges are best suited to golfers who play regularly and prioritise performance and feel.
Titleist Vokey SM10 Wedges Looks and Feel
Few things are certain in life, death, taxes and Titleist producing fantastic looking wedges.
The SM10s have not necessarily changed a great deal from the SM9s, but if something isn't broken, there's no need to fix it.
That said, the designers at Vokey have made some small changes that make the wedges look slightly more modern.
The chrome panel that runs along the back of the blade is more pronounced, both in length and width, and a small black cut-out has also been added.
The Bob Vokey logo still holds the pride of place, and the numbering and font have gone unchanged.
Once again, these wedges look fantastic.
Feel wise, it's once again top marks for the SM10s. If you have owned a set of Vokeys in the past, you will know that the sensation when striking them is clean, crisp, powerful and refined.
The SM9s were fantastic feeling wedges and we have to say not a lot has changed for the SM10s.
That same zip off the face is still present, while the solid sensation at impact and satisfying feel through the hands are thankfully still as good as ever.
A huge proportion of Tour players use Vokey wedges, and the superb feel is a big factor.
All in all, the SM10s have lived up to the high bar the brand sets for itself.
But how did they perform?
Titleist Vokey SM10 Performance and Forgiveness
Vokey's are renowned for their premium feel and looks, but where they truly excel is in performance.
The SM10s, available in six different grind options, are a versatile range that can be used on any kind of turf.
The wedges also benefit from spin-milled grooves, which help retain consistent spin levels when both wet and dry.
So, how did we get on with them during testing?
Well, first things first, taking a look at the data, these wedges produce serious spin.
We hit a number of 100-yard shots with the wedges, consistently achieving 10k RPM, which was optimal for our swing speed.
We then wet the wedges to simulate a rainy round, and the drop-off was minimal, with about 300-400 rpm lost.
While the spin rates were absolutely spot on, it was the consistency of them that was most impressive.
Wedge shots require precision, and it is absolutely paramount to be able to rely on your wedges to produce consistent levels of spin.
Thankfully, the SM10s are probably the best-performing wedges on the market for consistent spin rates from across the face and in any conditions.
Moving slightly closer to the green, we were once again impressed by how these wedges interacted with the turf on pitch shots and chips from the fairway and rough.
On slightly longer shots, the sole glided through the turf easily, and when needed, the bounce on the sole provided some much-appreciated forgiveness.
Spin rates around the green were once again impressive. We found our ball stood to attention on command and gripped the surface nicely, allowing for excellent roll-out control.
All in all, we really can't fault the performance of the SM10s. Our only slight bit of criticism would be they have barely changed since the SM9s.
With that in mind, if you have purchased a set of SM9s in the last two years, you probably won't be able to notice a huge difference.
Should you buy a set of Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges?
The short answer to this question is a resounding yes.
If you want the best-performing wedges on the market, then look no further. The SM10s look great, feel fantastic, and, most importantly, deliver fantastic results on the course.
However, as we previously mentioned, there has not been a significant improvement in performance from the SM9s, so if you have a set of them, we would recommend saving your money and simply getting your grooves resharpened instead.
If you're well in need of an upgrade, however, we would highly recommend the SM10s be right at the top of your shopping list.