Are Vokey Wedges Good for High Handicappers?

Are Vokey Wedges Good for High Handicappers?

Vokey wedges are some of the most sought after because of the meticulous manufacturing process that each one endures. You have probably heard about Vokey wedges in the past but may have wondered if they are good for high handicappers. Find out in the following article.

 

We have tested a lot of Vokey wedges in our time and we know them to be high-quality, durable and high-performance. But you have to be choosy when selecting a set (or single club) of Vokey wedges. In our experience, the Vokey SM8 wedges are the best for high handicappers so those are the ones we tested as this particular article will be geared towards high handicappers. Let’s take a look.

 

Vokey SM8 Wedges Overview

 

The Vokey SM8 wedges feature spin-milled grooves that create acute spin control and progressive CG placement for optimal launch.

 

The CG’s of the wedges in this set are also set slightly forward to increase MOI. This is the main feature that makes these wedges so congenial for high handicappers and beginners. The forward CG and increased MOI will make it much easier to square up the face at impact.

 

The result is straighter shots and better accuracy where you need it the most. Remember that wedge-play is usually what separates the pros from the amateurs so if you can get any increase in accuracy and stopping power, it’s definitely a huge plus.

 

What Type of Wedges Are They?

The Vokey SM8 are certainly some of the most forgiving wedges in the entire Vokey lineup. While not  quite game-improvement irons, they will still serve the needs of mid to high handicappers.

 

The Vokey SM8 wedges have tungsten weighting that has been pushed closer to the face of each club. If you’ve been having trouble with accuracy from your wedges, this feature alone may be worth the price. Plus, there are plenty of sole grinds to choose from.

 

How Forgiving Are the Vokey SM8 Wedges for High Handicappers?

 

The Vokey SM8 wedges give you the kind of control that is usually exhibited by low handicap players.

 

What we liked the most about the Vokey SM8 wedges for high handicappers is that it is exceptionally easy to get straight flight paths out of them. In some cases, our high handicap testers were even breaking the flag from 100+ yards out.

 

And the pitching wedge is especially viable for high handicappers because it provides unusual distance. It’s a great choice as it makes the transition from your short irons to your wedges very easy. While Vokey SM8 wedges may be better in the hands of scratch players, they are still forgiving.

 

Vokey SM8 Options

The Vokey SM8 wedges are available in a variety of sole grind options including F grind, M grind, S grind, D grind, K grind and L grind. The Vokey SM8 wedges are available in 46, 48, 52, 50, 54, 56, 62 and 60 degrees of loft. Bounce options include:

 

• 8 degrees
• 10 degrees
• 12 degrees
• 14 degrees
• 4 degrees

 

Workability Assessment

 

While not the most workable wedges in the Vokey lineup, the Vokey SM8’s still provide a great deal of up and down control.

 

Launch is almost automatic even in the lower-lofted wedges in this set. It’s also very easy to control spin and apex height.

 

Accuracy & Consistency Assessment

 

It’s very important to choose your Vokey SM8 wedges very carefully and according to your swing type if you want the best accuracy out of them.

 

Once you get your grind and lofts dialed in, you will find that the Vokey SM8 are very accurate. For the most part, even our high handicap testers found that they could stop the ball dead on fast greens almost at will.

 

The Vokey SM8 wedges also played surprisingly well from distance. On longer approaches, we were seeing straight ball flight and good spin rates. Even on shots that hit closer to the heel, the Vokey SM8 wedges produced a straight flight path that nearly broke the flag most of the time.

 

Are They Priced for Beginners?

For an individual Vokey SM8 wedge, you can expect to drop about $150. So they aren’t necessarily priced for beginners.

 

Vokey SM8 Pros & Cons

 

Pros:

• Excellent looks
• Very durable
• Spin milled grooves
• Straight flight
• A variety of grind options
• Very accurate

 

Cons:

• Takes time to dial in the right loft and bounce options
• A bit pricey
• Lacking feedback
• Relatively narrow soles

 

Overall Rating: 95/100

Check Out More Reviews Here:

 

Other Wedges for Beginners

 

Benross Rev

The Benross Rev wedge also feature progressive CG placement but at a price that is more congenial for new players.

 

We really liked that progressive CG which allowed us to accurately choose the club that would stop dead on the green from the bunker, on chip shots and on full shots. Plus, this is a very affordable wedge.

 

Taylormade SIM2 Max Wedge

 

 

The SIM2 Max wedge has a large footprint and a cap back design.

 

The cap back design, which is essentially a cavity back with a badge, imparts a very solid and congenial feel. You get good feedback on short shots and chips and the apex height is impressive.

 

Callaway Mavrik

The Callaway Mavrik wedges feature a good amount of offset that will look really nice to beginners.

 

The strong lofts coupled with the pronounced offset will be more than enough to keep your approaches straight and make them launch high.

 

Final Assessment

 

The Vokey SM8’s would be a good choice for both mid and high handicap players.

 

For mid handicappers, you get immediate help with accuracy and workability. For high handicappers, the Vokey SM8’s will help with distance and launch. And if you are a beginner or high handicapper, the Vokey SM8 wedges will still be viable for you as your game improves.

 

While many game-improvement wedges lose their value once you break 100, the Vokey SM8’s will still have a solid place in your bag as you drop your handicap.