Old Spin Milled wedges performance vs. SM6

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By Andrew D.

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  1. Andrew D.

    Andrew D.
    New Jersey

    Hey all. I'm a Titleist player who has been viewing these forums for years, and decided to register today to become a part of the community. My main question for this topic is about the older Spin-Milled wedges (red markings) vs. the newer wedge models. I was wondering about the performance differences between say the SM6 and these older models. I currently have a 56.08 sand wedge and a 60.04 lob wedge that I've been using for 6 or 7 years, and obviously once the conforming date rolls around by the USGA, I'll have to replace them. I do also have a 52.08 SM4 gap wedge, but that conforms currently.

    I sometimes play in tournaments, and in the ones I'll be playing in I am not sure if they will check or care about wedges conforming to the latest USGA rules. Barring that, I guess I'm asking whether or not it would be better to keep my older wedges and wait for some more years before buying new wedges, or buy new models sooner rather than later. Those two wedges of mine still have pretty good condition grooves. I am not sure how the technology for the wedges have changed in the past 7 years, or how they will change in the upcoming years either. If you guys have any thoughts or details for me, that would be great. Thanks, happy golfing!

  2. DCreech

    DCreech

    This completely depends on how much/what type of tournaments you are playing in. I was in this same predicament and went ahead and got the new wedges that conform to the newer USGA rules just in case they do check.

    Better safe than sorry!
  3. VSaldana

    VSaldana

    Sm6 wedges are packed with new technology that work.
    I would buy now and avoid your delema
  4. Spezza

    Spezza
    Summerside, PE

    Hey
    First of all.....welcome to the Team! great to have you join in.

    for the performance with you using these for so long, yes you will notice quite a difference in a fresh set of wedges. if you can afford it.........then yes get them. As for the tourney looking at banning at the event.......chances of that happening are very little. Though they can choose to do so. But if it has not ties to USGA sanctioned event your typically good to go.
  5. Mike C

    Mike C
    Dallas, TX

    Welcome to Team Titleist! Glad that you decided to register and post to the boards.

    Even though the grooves on your clubs may still look good, after 7 or 8 years they are probably a lot more worn than you think. The technology in the conforming grooves keeps getting better and better and I would guess that you would see a uptick in performance from the SM6's versus the original spin milled wedges you have been using for 7 or 8 years. If you are skeptical, I would try to go to a demo day or a club with some demo wedges available so you can hit shots side to side with the new wedges and your current wedges to see the difference.

    As far a being non-conforming, unless you are playing at the highest level tournaments with the USGA or tournaments that have specifically adopted the rule, the rules do not come into play for most amateur golfers and tournaments until 2024 at the earliest.

    Good luck and be sure to update the group on your findings and what you decide to do.
  6. Doug E

    Doug E
    Urbana, MD

    I have loved my old Spin Milled 2009 wedges. I have been playing the old design for years. However, I have replaced them with new 2009 versions nearly every year since I started playing them. I play and practice with them a lot (125+ rounds yearly plus daily practice), so expecting them to last more than a couple seasons is unreasonable. Since there was no reason to conform for 10 years since the new grooves went into affect, I was completely happy playing the old design.

    Last year, I spoke with a Titleist rep at one of my club's demo days. At the time, SM5s were still the most recent wedge design available. He told me that I would likely see a positive difference in performance with a new SM5 vs. a year-old 2009 design with the old grooves. However, he also felt the performance difference in spin between new vs. new in these two designs would likely be better with the 2009 model. Those non-conforming, old style square grooves are just more suited to creating a lot more spin.

    I purchased new 2009 versions almost every year because I did not want to change to the new style grooves, and not being a pro, I didn't have to. Each year I would find new ones on Ebay at various retailers with old stock. I always paid less than the original retail price. Last year, when I went to buy new ones, I could not find them any longer within a reasonable price range. Since the supply of new ones is virtually depleted, sellers know there are crazies out there willing to pay a premium price. So, I decided to wait for the 2016 SM6s to come out, assuming the technology would be even better than the SM5s, which in my opinion, was far better than the SM4.

    The new TX4 grooves with parallel face texture sold me as soon as I saw them. The new COG placement was just an added benefit. I ordered my new SM6s last week and am extremely confident I will like them even more than a set of new 2009 versions. And confidence in golf is everything.

  7. JDas

    JDas

    2009's are much more fun for trick shots..check lefts check rights..low incoming skidding two hop an stops, throwing hard to the middle or back for 30 ft zips to a front pin.. And just looking cool in front of people with ball action ..New old stock 2009's are fetching upwards of $200 per wedge ..I'd prefer the 6's ..better to read all the tech from Titleist than me writing a book here on it but in a nutshell the 6's are more pin hunters ..less spinning more drop an stop .. With the 6's I can hunt a back pin without the fear of zipping it back 20ft or having to make up a shot say with one more club and having to taking some off..and plus with their looks and grind options can't go wrong
  8. Richard K

    Richard K

    I have a set PW @ 43°, sm7 48.10 F, and a 2009 52.08. The main difference I've noticed so far is the SM7 launches higher on full swings. I find I lean towards using the 52° on touch shots bc of a noticeable difference in yardage on the sm7, and I use the 48° on a pretty wide range of distances at or near full swing, while the 43° PW is used similarly to the 48° gapping 15-20 yards above, 12-15 yards to my 9I.

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