Vokey SM5 Effective Loft vs. Bounce Angle

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By Thomas K

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  1. Thomas K

    Thomas K

    I have a question regarding your measure of "effective bounce" and how that number compares to the conventional measure of bounce angle.  I understand that you factor in sole width, bounce angle and camber to arrive at the effective bounce.  What has me concerned is that I am looking for a 58* wedge as my sand and general short game club, and typically I would buy something with about 11-12 degrees of bounce, but never less than 10.  So in the SM4 I would play the 58-12 which looks like it has the M grind.  Now I look at the 58-S grind with 7* effective bounce and the 58-M grind with 8* effective bounce, and my thought is that's way lower than what I've ever gone with.  Which leads me to think that your effective bounce number is probably lower that the actual bounce angle on the club.  I'm most interested in the 58-S grind, would that likely work given my preference for 11-12* of bounce angle?  Not to muddy the waters too much, but could you say what the actual bounce angle is on the 58-S?

  2. Bubba

    Bubba
    Providence, RI

    Team Titleist Staff

    Hi Thomas, 

    Thank you very much for the post. 

    Effective bounce takes into consideration the actual measured lie angle of the club, sole width (wider = more effective bounce), camber (less camber = more effective bounce) and heel and toe relief (less = more effective bounce). All Vokey SM5 wedges are marked with the effective bounce of the club. 

    If you are looking for a bounce of 11-12, the SM5 K grind would meet that criteria. However, i would try that and compare it to the S grind and see which grind you like better. The S grind is for individuals who like to play shots with a square club face. You may find that even though it is only 7 degree of bounce you will like it more.

    Hope this helps.

    Bubba

  3. Thomas K

    Thomas K

    Thanks for the quick feedback Bubba.  I've hit the S, M and K, but just in a simulator and most shots with a square club face.  I liked the feel of the S the best, it had the best combination of feel and stability.  I usually lay the club open in the sand and sometimes to play short flop shots around the green, but not that often.  When I look at the K, it looks even less suited to opening the club face than the S.  The K just looks like the least versatile of the 3.  I would carry the K if I was going 50/54/58.  But I'm going 52/58, so the 58 needs to do different things and I'm not sure the K can do that.

    One final question: if I end up going with the S or M, would the logical choice be the 8* bounce option for the 52?  I think I have high bounce stuck in my mind because I have been playing some png wedges, and with them almost everything is minimum 12* of bounce.

    Its great what Titleist has done with the grinds, but it obviously requires a proper fitting session by a qualified pro in a real short game area.  Unfortunately, not everyone has access to that and the big box retailers generally don't have the facilities or the personnel to get an optimal fit.

    Thanks again.

  4. Bubba

    Bubba
    Providence, RI

    Team Titleist Staff

    Thomas K said:

    Thanks for the quick feedback Bubba.  I've hit the S, M and K, but just in a simulator and most shots with a square club face.  I liked the feel of the S the best, it had the best combination of feel and stability.  I usually lay the club open in the sand and sometimes to play short flop shots around the green, but not that often.  When I look at the K, it looks even less suited to opening the club face than the S.  The K just looks like the least versatile of the 3.  I would carry the K if I was going 50/54/58.  But I'm going 52/58, so the 58 needs to do different things and I'm not sure the K can do that.

    One final question: if I end up going with the S or M, would the logical choice be the 8* bounce option for the 52?  I think I have high bounce stuck in my mind because I have been playing some png wedges, and with them almost everything is minimum 12* of bounce.

    Its great what Titleist has done with the grinds, but it obviously requires a proper fitting session by a qualified pro in a real short game area.  Unfortunately, not everyone has access to that and the big box retailers generally don't have the facilities or the personnel to get an optimal fit.

    Thanks again.

    Even though the K looks less versatile, many individuals, especially Tour players, have found it is actually very versatile. But go with the club you feel most comfortable with. As for the 52, the bounce all depends on what you need. Do you find your current Png's digging? Do you play in softer conditions or firmer conditions? Is your miss fat or thin? There is no correlation between the 52 and 58, they are used for different types of shots. If you are used to a high bounce wedge and like the performance, I would lean more towards the 52 F with 12 degrees of bounce. 

    Like you said, it is always best to see a local fitter, but hopefully this information helps.

    Bubba

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