Hi, 

Thanks for the question. 

The first thing to keep in mind is the MB PW has a loft of 47. You want to make sure that by getting a Vokey PW, you don't create a gap between your 9i and PW. I personally play the MB PW because I like the consistency throughout the set. It really comes down to personal preference of look, feel and workability.

Hope this helps,

Bubba 

Thanks for the quick reply Bubba!

I agree on the loft gap and hence, if I were to go with the Vokey line, I would have to choose between a 46 or 48. The 46 makes it too small of a gap with my 9 and too large with my 52.  With a 48 I would have a 5 and 4 gap between the 9 and my 52 -- I can live with this.

I guess one thing is that the MB is forged versus the Vokey being cast. Prior to my SM5's I was playing the Cleveland line and found that while I did like the solidness of the strike, my yardages weren't as consistent as they are with Vokeys -- even though I have a bit less feel.  The challenge is that I can hit a Vokey PW but can't find a Titleist MB PW to compare.  I'll keep looking around!  

Also there is a lot of detail/data on the SM5 grooves, spin rates, etc. But what about the MB PW? Similar spin rates? 

Thanks!

I personally have the SM5 46, 51 (50 bent), and 56.  I love my 46, but I don't see any real advantage to it, other than increased spin.  I play AP2 712's 4-9.  I would think that if you use your PW for pitches and chips much maybe go with Vokey, but if you are strictly going to use it with full shots the MB will be just as accurate with slightly less spin.  I play mostly full shots with the PW, but I love all my Vokeys.  Can't wait until Bob starts making a 9 iron, ha ha!

If you want the Vokey have it custom ordered to have the loft you want to get the right gap.  It may say 46/48 but you would know it was 47.

I just replaced the PW in my set with the 46 SM5. I love it. The ball flight is much more indicative of my other wedges, it drops and stops. I use my 46 for approach and was the performance I was looking for. I still have the set PW, I swap out depending on the course and conditions. Nice to have that option.  

Nikhil,

Don't let the "stock" degree of a club determine your selection.  Every club can be ordered +/- 2 deg. If u prefer a vokey wedge from your expected yardage, get the vokey bent to the exact degree that you want... if u prefer a players iron (MB) from that yardage then have it bent to the exact degree that you want.  Do not pass up the chance to customize your set to exactly what you want.  Titleist will do whatever customizing that you want if you order thru them and you will have lifetime free adjustments to your set of clubs as long as you own them !!!

...MY CUSTOM SET FROM TITLEIST...

Titleist 913D2 8.5

Titleist 913F.d. 13.5

Titleist H.d. 18 (+ 1")

Titleist  AP2 714 4i thru 9i (+ 1/2" & 2 deg. strong)

Titleist MB 714 pw (+1/2" & 2 deg. strong)

Vokey 50/12 (+ 1/2")

Vokey 56/8 (+ 1/2")

Vokey 62/7 (+ 1/2")

Scotty Cameron Golo S

Thanks everyone for the inputs!  

NCBob/TeeBee Good perspective on not letting the lofts affect my decision. You are correct in that I can order specific bends, etc.

JohnH/DavidB: That's great to hear that you feel you get more spin off the SM5. 

My evolved thinking was more about the characteristics of the PW: spin differences, etc. In doing more research around the web it does appear that many leave out the PW in their order and go with a Vokey replacement. I also quickly "perused the bags" of the the Pro's playing Titleist clubs and the vast majority use a Vokey 46-48 as their PW.

Thanks again for all of your inputs!

Nik

I tried a vokey PW before but went back to my standard PW shortly after. The vokey would sometimes cause too much bite on a small chip shots and the ball would not roll out the way I would like. This was really bad when I would want to roll up false fronts or steep breaks. I know I can use a less lofted club like a 7 iron, but the PW has a shorter length that I feel I can control more easily.

I recently switched my AP 2 PW out for the SM 5 46 degree and have not looked back, I find the SM 5 to be more accurate and it is just about 5 yards longer.  In the process switching my 7-9 irons to MB's for the shot control.