Gear: Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks Low Bounce K Grind wedge
Price: $225 with True Temper Dynamic Gold S200 shaft and Titleist Universal grip
Specs: Cast stainless steel available in 58 or 60 degrees of loft with 6 degrees of bounce
Available: April 16
Who It’s For: Skilled golfers who want a low-bounce wedge for chipping and pitching from tight lies that can also perform well in greenside bunkers.
The Skinny: The Low Bounce K Grind wedge allows skilled players to get the leading edge under the ball on tight lies, while its wide sole allows it to be used as an effective bunker option.
The Deep Dive: Low-handicap golfers often envision shots around the green that most recreational golfers should avoid. Their imagination can be an asset, but they need to have the right skills and the right clubs to pull off unique shots. The just-released Vokey Design WedgeWorks Low Bounce K Grind wedge can be a club that allows highly skilled players to try special shots that some wedges simply are not designed for.
Available only as a 58- or 60-degree lob wedge, the WedgeWorks Low Bounce K Grind is made with raw carbon steel, so after the wrapping around the club is removed, the steel will rust with exposure to air and water.
From a design standpoint, it blends a wide sole, a characteristic of all K Grind wedges, with just 6 degrees of bounce.
The extremely wide sole design allows players to open the face in greenside bunkers and play aggressively because the bottom of the club resists digging, even in the softest sand. However, when golfers keep the Low Bounce K Grind in a square position, its extremely low bounce makes it easier to get the leading edge under the ball on chips and pitch shots to create more height and a softer landing.
While all of that versatility sounds great for everyone, using a wedge with so little bounce requires a precise strike and a high level of control, especially in soft or wet conditions around the green. For most golfers, playing a wedge that has 10 degrees of bounce (or more) can make basic short-game shots easier, but a wedge such as the Low Bounce K Grind allows skilled players who can control the leading-edge height to play shots that high-bounce wedges make more challenging.
In comparison to this new low-bounce model, Vokey has for years offered SM wedges with a standard K Grind sole that features 14 degrees of bounce – that’s the model most likely to be found at retail.
According to Bob Vokey, “Several players preferred the K Grind sole but were seeking a lower-bounce version. As a result, we crafted a sole with 6 degrees of effective bounce while maintaining the wide camber that makes the K design so effective for a wide variety of players. As soon as we brought it out on tour, it was immediately accepted and in the bags of multiple players as soon as they had a chance to test it.”
Like the standard Vokey Design SM10 wedges, the WedgeWorks Low Bounce K Grind has a high and forward center of gravity that encourages the face to square on the downswing. Each wedge’s grooves are also inspected to ensure they are as sharp as possible while remaining legal for play.
Below are several close-up images of the Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks Low Bounce K Grind wedge.
