Equipment
Titleist's Vokey Design WedgeWorks 44F wedge fills an important carry gap
Sift through the gear setups of the best players in the world and you'll notice a growing wedge trend towards blade pitching wedges over the last decade.
For the uninitiated, a "blade pitching wedge" is a model that doesn't match the iron set and allows for an extra level of workability and control—two attributes better players require from their scoring tools. Nearly every equipment manufacturer currently offers a blade model, from the Vokey SM10 and the Cleveland RTZ to the Callaway Opus and the TaylorMade Milled Grind 4.
All of the manufacturers listed above have a blade version with 46 degrees of loft, but Titleist's Vokey line is adding a stronger WedgeWorks design at 44 degrees to match the lofts found on some iron sets.
“The Vokey 46 has been such a valuable club for so many, tour players and amateurs alike,” said Vokey tour rep Aaron Dill. “It offers the profile the Vokey wedge player loves, the bounce and grind that creates the right launch and spin, and consistency in carry numbers. With the lofts getting stronger in iron sets, we needed a lower-lofted head to avoid the sacrifices that came from strengthening a 46.”
Titleist's T100 pitching wedge is 46 degrees, while the T150 offering is 44 degrees. For some golfers, the obvious option might be to bend the 46-degree pitching wedge to 44 degrees to achieve the proper set gapping with T150. Nearly all blade pitching wedges can be bent a maximum of two degrees stronger or weaker without affecting turf interaction and performance.
But what happens if you're a T200 or T350 player with a 43-degree pitching wedge? According to Dill, the WedgeWorks 44F helps fill an important hole for golfers who want to play a Vokey version at the correct loft.
“The 44F was a much-needed option for our players globally,” he said, “as it helps achieve the right yardage with the correct look, feel and performance.”
The new SM10 line is beyond complete with plenty of options for those savvy enough to get fit for wedges. The center-of-gravity location received particular attention. The smaller profile and shorter hosel lengths (on lofts 46 to 52) help drive the CG low to make the transition from short irons easier. In the 54- through 62-degree models, the CG has moved up, forward and toward the center to promote a lower, more controlled flight. The “spin milled” grooves have been updated and when combined with a texture between the grooves increase spin by as much as 300 revolutions per minute.
If you’re currently playing a pitching wedge from the iron set you purchased but the idea of trying out a blade version has piqued your interest, just make sure you’re taking a few things into consideration.
The most important aspect is the quality of your ball-striking, especially if you’re someone who’s playing game-improvement or players-distance irons. Moving into a blade wedge means you’ll be playing a wedge with a more compact shape. A smaller profile means less forgiveness, and distance control is important when you get into the wedges.
It should be noted that some blade wedges include technology that enhances the sweet spot and repositions the center of gravity (CG) in a way that ball speed is recaptured. So depending on the wedge you’re selecting, it’s possible you might not see a significant dip in distance loss on a heel or toe strike.
It’s also likely you’ll notice a better feel (due to softer head materials), more control, workability and improved launch conditions, but again, it’s all player dependent.
Vokey's WedgeWorks 44F ($225) features 10 degrees of bounce—identical to the 46-10F pitching wedge—and comes in tour chrome or raw finishes. It's available in right- and left-handed models.
