Pros vs weekenders?

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By Marc H

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  • 8 Replies
  1. Marc H

    Marc H
    Leesburg, VA

    I know that Bob Vokey says he has designed the wedges with tons of tour feedback. The assumption is that a wedge built for Steve Stricker is the same wedge that is good for a 62 year old 85mph weekend golfer. But, as in drivers and irons, do the pros play wedges like the weekenders? Pros play X and XS shafts in their drivers and irons, but their shots and the weekender shots are not comparable. An X shaft for a weekender would feel like a brick. Something softer is needed. So why only the super stiff shafts in wedges for weekenders? Isn't there something that would work better? Does this have something to do with inventory?
  2. Mike C

    Mike C
    Dallas, TX

    Hi Marc - One of the great things about all of the Titleist clubs are that they are 100% customizable. You can order your wedges (as well as your irons and woods) with whatever shafts fit your swing. The standard flex/shaft for a Vokey wedge is an DG S200, which is sometimes has a sticker called "wedge" flex on the shaft for the stock wedges. I am a weekend golfer and play an X100 in my irons but prefer to have an S200 in my 60 and 55 degree Vokeys for the feel. These are usually partial touch shots around the green so I like the feel of a lighter shaft. Full shots versus touch shots can sometimes warrant a different shaft. In fact, to get a feel for the different weights in practice and to confirm my preference, I setup two 60 degree wedges identical with the exception of the shaft (S200 in one and X100 in the other) and you can certainly feel a difference between the two. At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference and what fits your game and your swing. I was fortunate enough to spend some time with Mr. Vokey fitting my wedges and brought up the issue of different shaft weights in my irons and wedges and he indicated that it was not uncommon to have a different weight shaft between the irons and some of the wedges, even for many of the tour players, because the clubs are used differently. You just need to determine what is best for your game and the clubs can be made to your exact specifications.
  3. Marc H

    Marc H
    Leesburg, VA

    Thanks Mike. You must swing a lot faster than I do! How did you get two wedges to test? Did you do that at a fitter? Or something else? Note that I really like the Vokey wedges. It's just that I hurt my elbows when I practice a lot with those S200 shafts and wondered why so stiff.
  4. Mike C

    Mike C
    Dallas, TX

    Hi Marc. Since I wanted to spend some time hitting a lot of different shots when practicing with both shafts to really determine what I like best, I just purchased an identical clubs to my current setup but with a different shaft. This way I could compare apples to apples side by side. I wanted to spend a bit more time than in just a fitting session working with the club on both the range and the course. Check with your local Titleist fitter to see what they have available. The good news is you can order the club any way you like it from Titleist. If you think the S200 shafts are too stiff, they offer a multitude of different shafts many of which are standard and/or stock shafts. You could go all of the way up to a XP95 R100 shaft if you wanted super lightweight and flexible and still be in a standard shaft choice. To really find what fits best with your game set aside some time to meet with a fitter and determine the best setup for your swing and you won't regret it.
  5. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    Marc H said:

    Thanks Mike. You must swing a lot faster than I do! How did you get two wedges to test? Did you do that at a fitter? Or something else? Note that I really like the Vokey wedges. It's just that I hurt my elbows when I practice a lot with those S200 shafts and wondered why so stiff.
    Marc - other than being 65, my game is with yours. The Tour Van came by our club last year so I tried getting fit. The fitter leaned to fitting wedges with my iron (KK-85 graphite) shaft but I liked the TT-95 R100. My PW is a Vokey 48 (-1 degree) and the GW and SW have the steel shaft. I thought the SW would be an S grind, but the fitter wanted the M grind. Being LH, none of these are on the rack but are the same price. These replaced the S200 Spin-Milled wedges that were off the rack, and the feel is dramatic. I only average a range trip and 9-18 holes a week.
  6. Marc H

    Marc H
    Leesburg, VA

    I actually bit the bullet and reshafted the wedges with R shafts. What a difference! Now I can use them without breaking my elbows. Next time, I'll order the wedge with the R shaft from the beginning.
  7. Chris92009

    Chris92009
    Ohio

    Mike has lots of good points.  The only thing I would add is that the last time I was lucky enough to spend time with Bob is that he shared with me that his OTR Wedges that you find at your local golf store are to the same specs as what the tour pros use.  As Mike pointed out these wedges are customizable to YOUR game.  They offer different grinds, shafts, grips etc... so get fit for the proper specs and order a set or just one to lower strokes on the course!

    Good Luck!

  8. Peter C

    Peter C
    Fort Worth, TX

    Would anyone know when Titleist is going to release SM6 wedges??? I can't wait to see what their new 716 line of irons are going to look like and I might consider getting them if they are well priced.

  9. Samuel C

    Samuel C
    Phoenix, AZ

    Marc H said:

    I know that Bob Vokey says he has designed the wedges with tons of tour feedback. The assumption is that a wedge built for Steve Stricker is the same wedge that is good for a 62 year old 85mph weekend golfer. But, as in drivers and irons, do the pros play wedges like the weekenders? Pros play X and XS shafts in their drivers and irons, but their shots and the weekender shots are not comparable. An X shaft for a weekender would feel like a brick. Something softer is needed. So why only the super stiff shafts in wedges for weekenders? Isn't there something that would work better? Does this have something to do with inventory?

    I think Bob Vokey works with the tour pros on the grinds, head design, finishes, etc. I don't think Mr. Vokey worries too much about the shaft combination, as that is more of a feels game and maybe even numbers thing (trackman) for the player to use. So even though a tour player might play an X-stiff shaft in their driver and irons, they might play a softer shaft or a different shaft in their wedges, as they are designed to do something else. 

    I think that's why Vokey wedges have so many options as far as bounces, grinds, etc. Every person wants something different for each club and that's what he works with them on.  

    In regards to your point about the type of shaft that is installed, most likely the stock TT "wedge" flex shaft. These are geared to the masses and if most irons are using TT S300, they will use TT "wedge" flex. And if people keep buying them as is, why would Titleist change. That's why it's so important to always go and get fitted for what works for you and not everyone else. Most people can't play something right off the shelf of a golf shop, most likely need to get it tweaked some how, but no on bothers to do that. If you get fitted for the proper stuff, you will get to test just about everything that is out there and most of the things you won't even know about. 

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