2023 Sharpshooters
Stick-it Tight
Titleist Vokey SM9 Wedges
Titleist remains the leader in this category with the Vokey SM9 wedges . The SM9 wedges are offered in 46 , 48 , 50 , 52 , 54 , 56 , 58 , 60 , and 62 degrees . WOW ! What happened to the old days of the 52- , 56- , and 60-degree wedge offerings ? There are also many various bounce and grind choices to choose from .
Vokey wedges are offered in grinds of 4 , 8 , 10 , 12 , and 14 degrees . Golfers need to pay just as much attention to the bounce and grind as they do the loft of the wedges they choose .
● Bounce is the angle created between the leading edge and the lowest point of the sole or trailing edge of the club .
● Grind is the manipulation or removal of material from the sole of the club to improve the contact with the ground or sand . As you can see there is a lot to choosing the correct wedge .
Vokey ’ s All-New T Grind ( Blue highlight area .)
Cleveland RTX 6 Zipcore Wedges
Loft , lie , bounce , and grind can all be a bit confusing for some golfers new to buying wedges . If this is the case , I strongly suggest you visit your local pro shop and seek help from a professional clubfitter . Don ’ t waste your money buying a club that is not the best for you and your game . The Vokey SM9 wedges retail for $ 179.99 per club .
For the 2023 season , Cleveland offers its new RTX 6 Zipcore wedges . These wedges are also offered in a variety of lofts and bounces . The Zipcore technology is Cleveland ’ s proprietary technology producing a low-density material . With the RTX 6 Zipcore wedges , the center of gravity is moved to where the ball is struck , and Cleveland increased MOI by 20 %. Both new features allow for more distance , forgiveness , and control . Cleveland RTX 6 Zipcore Wedges retail for $ 169.99 .
� Cleveland ’ s Grind Specific Leading Edges
TaylorMade Milled Grind Hi-Toe 3 Wedges
TaylorMade ’ s new Milled Grind Hi-Toe 3 wedge offers the golfer a milled grind sole that increases consistency . The Hi-Toe shape is higher in the toe area to create better spin and launch . It also gives the golfer a larger hitting area when you open the face . The larger hitting area and increased contact with the grooves lead to better shots . TaylorMade ’ s Milled Grind Hi-Toe 3 Wedges retail for $ 179.99 .
These are a few of the great choices in the wedge market for 2023 . It is even more important these days to look closely and consider what wedge is best for your bag since the gap in lofts has increased between the regular iron set and the wedges . As always , check with your local golf course pro shop to talk about the benefits of each of the new wedges and how they might improve your game . As I suggested earlier , you should visit your local pro shop and seek help from a professional clubfitter . They should have clubs for you to try outside on the range . Remember , there is never a replacement for hitting the ball outside where you can see how the ball reacts off the club . Don ’ t waste your money buying a club that is not the best for you and your game . Seek help first !
Eddie Hall is the general manager at Paradise Pointe Golf Complex and owner of Paradise Pointe Golf Shop . Hall performs hundreds of custom clubfittings yearly . For questions or help with your clubs , contact him at eddie . hall @ paradisepointegolf . com .
TeeTimesMagazine . com TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE August 2023 11