Titleist
Titleist Vokey SM9 Wedge
The Titleist Vokey SM9 in the Tour grind is a wedge built for the player who likes to open the face, lay it back, and hit shots most golfers never attempt. This is Bob Vokey's low-bounce, tour-inspired sole, the same T grind you see under the bags of players grinding it out on firm turf and tight lies. It rewards clean contact and precise hands, and it punishes fat swings the way a specialist tool should.
SM9 was Vokey's answer to a common complaint about wedges: flight that balloons or wanders. Titleist reworked where the mass sits across the loft range, moving the center of gravity forward and up in the higher-lofted heads so the ball comes off flatter and lands where you aim. Pair that with the tour-caliber grooves and you get a wedge that spins hard and holds its line. It won't fix your short game for you, but it gives a good short game somewhere to go.
The Tour grind here is the narrow, low-bounce option in a lineup that runs from 46 up to 60 degrees. On this specific grind you're looking at less material through the sole, so it slides under the ball on tight fairway lies and firm sand rather than bouncing off it. Skilled players love it. Everyone else should read the next section before they buy.
Titleist Vokey SM9 Wedge: Key Specs
- Category
- Tour Grind
- Loft range
- 46 to 60 degrees
- Loft/grind options
- 11
- Model year
- 2022
- MSRP
- $179.99
Available Variants
| Loft | Bounce | Grind | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46° | 8° | F | Chrome |
| 48° | 8° | F | Chrome |
| 50° | 8° | F | Chrome |
| 52° | 8° | F | Chrome |
| 54° | 10° | M | Chrome |
| 54° | 14° | S | Chrome |
| 56° | 10° | M | Chrome |
| 58° | 8° | M | Chrome |
| 58° | 10° | T | Chrome |
| 60° | 8° | M | Chrome |
| 60° | 10° | T | Chrome |
Loft and bounce are nominal values. Actual specifications may vary.
Technology
About the Titleist Vokey SM9
The T grind is the most heavily worked sole in the SM9 family, hand-shaped by Vokey with a crescent profile and low bounce that opens up the widest range of shots for players with the technique to use them. Heel and toe relief let you lay the face wide open for flops and high spinners without the leading edge riding up off the turf. On a square face it stays low-bounce, which is exactly why it thrives in dry, firm conditions and struggles in soft, fluffy sand. Groove-wise, SM9 keeps the spin high and consistent, with tighter tolerances and a heat treatment that helps the edges last through a season of full-swing wedges and greenside nips. The progressive weighting across lofts means the 46 and 48 you'd play as gap wedges feel and fly differently than the 58 and 60 you'd reach for around the green, and that's on purpose. Titleist ships these with the milled face and stamped loft and bounce so you always know what you're holding.
Who Should Play the Titleist Vokey SM9?
- ✓Low-handicap and better players who make clean, ball-first contact and want a sole that won't add unwanted bounce on tight lies
- ✓Golfers who play firm turf and dry, packed bunkers where a wide, high-bounce sole would deflect off the surface
- ✓Players who open the face often and want the versatility to hit flops, spinners, and shots off hardpan
- ✓Anyone building a matched Vokey setup who wants the highest-loft heads in the low-bounce Tour grind for maximum shotmaking
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vokey SM9 T grind best for?
It's built for firm turf, tight lies, and dry bunkers. The low bounce and narrow, hand-ground sole let the club slide under the ball instead of bouncing into it, which is ideal when the ground is hard and you make clean contact. It also opens up flop shots and high spinners because you can lay the face wide open without the leading edge lifting off the ground.
Should a high handicapper play the SM9 Tour grind?
Probably not. The low bounce is unforgiving on fat swings and on soft turf or fluffy sand, where a wider, higher-bounce grind like the F, S, or M would help far more. If you tend to hit behind the ball or play softer conditions, look at those grinds first. The T grind rewards precision and gives very little back when your contact is off.
What lofts does the SM9 come in for the Tour grind?
The full SM9 line runs from 46 to 60 degrees, but the T grind is offered in the higher-lofted heads where a low-bounce, tour-style sole makes the most sense, typically the 58 and 60. Lower lofts like the 46, 48, and 50 are set up as gap and pitching wedges with grinds suited to fuller swings.
How is the SM9 different from the SM8?
The biggest change is where the weight sits. Titleist moved the center of gravity forward in SM9, especially in the higher lofts, which produces a flatter, more controlled ball flight and tighter dispersion than SM8. Feel at impact is a touch more solid as a result. The grind shapes and spin performance carry over the same tour-proven feel Vokey is known for.
How much bounce does the SM9 T grind have?
The Tour grind is a low-bounce option, so you're generally in the single digits depending on loft, with the sole ground narrow and relieved at the heel and toe. Check the stamp on the head for the exact number. If you play firm courses and shallow out through impact, that low bounce is what you want. If you dig or play soft ground, it's too little.
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