Wedges discussion: Taylormade MG4 vs Titleist Vokey SM9

[ChitownM2]

On 11/4/2023 at 9:06 PM, Fred Mitchell said:

What no love for the Hi Toe 4 Taylormade lol. 

I think they alternate the releases so they have a new wedge every year

[ChitownM2]

On 11/4/2023 at 2:57 PM, Mackey said:

I play a MD 3 56* bent to 54* in the Tiger grind.  I also had an SM 8 60* in M grind for part of the year.  I switched to a Renegar 58* wedge, it is just so versatile.  I am planning to have a different Tiger grind 56* bent to 58* to try in the spring.  I love the grind on the Tiger 56 the leading edge and sole shape work well for me on the 54* and bending it added bounce.  Bending one to 58* would lower the bounce and I think that would be great to add for tight fairways.  I plan to try it and see how it works for me.  I can really spin the ball with my TM MD3 tiger grind.

Pretty sure it works the opposite way.  Bending a 56 to 54 reduces bounce and bending a 56 to 58 would increase bounce and raise the leading edge

[mackdaddy]

1 hour ago, ChitownM2 said:

Pretty sure it works the opposite way.  Bending a 56 to 54 reduces bounce and bending a 56 to 58 would increase bounce and raise the leading edge

 

1 hour ago, ChitownM2 said:

Pretty sure it works the opposite way.  Bending a 56 to 54 reduces bounce and bending a 56 to 58 would increase bounce and raise the leading edge

That would be even better in my mind.  I was told the opposite.  I just know that the 54 works great for me and I just took advantage of the Veterans day discount to order the MG4 Tiger grind 56* bent to 58* a bout 20 minutes ago.  I would love more bounce around the greens on Bermuda grass for into the grain, I really struggle in those situations. 

[cnosil]

8 minutes ago, Mackey said:

 

That would be even better in my mind.  I was told the opposite.  I just know that the 54 works great for me and I just took advantage of the Veterans day discount to order the MG4 Tiger grind 56* bent to 58* a bout 20 minutes ago.  I would love more bounce around the greens on Bermuda grass for into the grain, I really struggle in those situations. 

@ChitownM2 is correct. It is a 1:1 relationship.   Bend the club weaker and it drops the trailing edge lower which increases static bounce.   Your swing can change the delivered loft; so unless you deliver the club with a vertical shaft delivered loft will be different than static loft.  James Ridyard has a good YouTube video that explains this. 

Edited November 11, 2023 by cnosil

[Preeway]

On 11/7/2023 at 1:25 PM, Josh Parker said:

Just saw that Vokey is releasing a WedgeWorks A Grind built for hard turf/sand but only for the Right Handers currently.  4 degree bounce.

Seems like an odd bounce for a sand based wedge. 

[Josh Parker]

8 hours ago, Preeway said:

Seems like an odd bounce for a sand based wedge. 

I typically use my 58 or 60 out of the sand with a low bounce.  I personally prefer it.

Here is what Vokey has on their website for "low bounce"

Low bounce wedges are typically between 4°-6°, ideal for firm turf conditions and bunkers with harder or coarse sand. Low bounce wedges are designed for clean ball contact, giving you the precision you need in your short game.

For instance, low bounce lob wedges can be used to hit high flop shots off tight lies near the green. Low bounce wedges are also useful to players with a sweeper swing style, with shallower attack angles and minimal divots.

[mackdaddy]

I have played my MD3 54* for over a year and only the mini grooves of the leading edge have worn down.  The rest of the face is still very rough after 78 rounds. 

[cnosil]

15 hours ago, Preeway said:

Seems like an odd bounce for a sand based wedge. 

This video changed my thoughts about bounce and the advocation for "using the bounce".   And as @Josh Parker said,  sand conditions will also influence needed bounce. 

 

Edited November 11, 2023 by cnosil

[Preeway]

I’m familiar with a low bounce for courses with tight lies and firm ground. Since I rarely play on courses like that, I do struggle a bit when faced with these types of lies. Hadn’t heard of a low bounce for coarse sand though. That was new to me. 

[ChitownM2]

Not positive but I'm pretty sure that coarse sand is going to be firm sand opposed to very light and fluffy sand where you would want more bounce.  So "coarse sand" is just another type of firm condition where a low bounce wedge would help.

[chisag]

On 11/1/2023 at 4:29 PM, bens197 said:

I WANT to love the MG4 wedges so bad.  The design and shape of them are everything I want in a wedge…

…I’ve had an awful experience with the first gen Milled Grind and the Milled Grind 2.  I gave up trying and know what I have in my Vokey wedge.  It doesn’t mean I won’t try again however it’s one of those things where you can’t put a club in your bag knowing you can’t “hope it” to be effective.

 

... I didn't care for the MG or MG2 either but absolutely loved the MG3 and the MG4 even more so. My favorite wedges ever. I do think if you get the grind right, the rest is just trimmings but as you well know the perfect look at address is something that is hard to ignore. I am playing a set of the SM9 Euro Stamped I won from MGS in the Ryder Cup Contest (thanks again!) in a 50-54-58 set up. I chose those lofts to match the 50-58 MG4's that have the same grinds so I could make a comparison. I have been very pleased with the performance and may end up keeping a 54* in my bag. But the chances that it will be a 54 MG4 I pick up are very good because I prefer the look and feel of the MG4's over the SM9's. To be fair I believe the performance is equal between the MG4 and SM9 so it just comes down to personal preference for me.   

[KC Golf]

26 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... I didn't care for the MG or MG2 either but absolutely loved the MG3 and the MG4 even more so. My favorite wedges ever. I do think if you get the grind right, the rest is just trimmings but as you well know the perfect look at address is something that is hard to ignore. I am playing a set of the SM9 Euro Stamped I won from MGS in the Ryder Cup Contest (thanks again!) in a 50-54-58 set up. I chose those lofts to match the 50-58 MG4's that have the same grinds so I could make a comparison. I have been very pleased with the performance and may end up keeping a 54* in my bag. But the chances that it will be a 54 MG4 I pick up are very good because I prefer the look and feel of the MG4's over the SM9's. To be fair I believe the performance is equal between the MG4 and SM9 so it just comes down to personal preference for me.   

I am torn between the two wedges.  The Vokeys seem great in a 56, but I like the look of the TM 60 deg.

Please let us know when the Ryder Cup wedges are new decor on your wall… they almost look too nice to scuff up!  

[mackdaddy]

On 11/11/2023 at 11:56 AM, cnosil said:

This video changed my thoughts about bounce and the advocation for "using the bounce".   And as @Josh Parker said,  sand conditions will also influence needed bounce. 

 

Wedges are a strong area of my game.  This video was super helpful in explaining why I succeed in hitting wedges on most grasses but struggle on grainy Bermuda.  I play the least on Bermuda grass and struggle in the grain.  My response to it was all wrong and  had no idea.  This video will be a huge help.     

[KC Golf]

Quick question….
What are the big differences if any between the MG4 vs the MG3?  Thinking of buying the cheaper MG3… vs a Vokey SM9…  any advise would be greatly appreciated…. 

 

[cnosil]

38 minutes ago, KC Golf said:

Quick question….
What are the big differences if any between the MG4 vs the MG3?  Thinking of buying the cheaper MG3… vs a Vokey SM9…  any advise would be greatly appreciated…. 

 

This article will give you the TM answer. https://golf.com/gear/wedges/taylormade-mg-4-wedges-first-look/

[chisag]

57 minutes ago, KC Golf said:

Quick question….
What are the big differences if any between the MG4 vs the MG3?  Thinking of buying the cheaper MG3… vs a Vokey SM9…  any advise would be greatly appreciated…. 

 

... I have been playing a full set off Vokey SM9's with Euro flags I won in the Ryder Cup contest, but before that I played a MG3 50* and a MG4 58* and the differences are subtle. Very subtle. I think the MG4's do feel a little better but that's it. Deciding whether feel is worth another $30 will vary from player to player. 

[bens197]

10 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... I have been playing a full set off Vokey SM9's with Euro flags I won in the Ryder Cup contest, but before that I played a MG3 50* and a MG4 58* and the differences are subtle. Very subtle. I think the MG4's do feel a little better but that's it. Deciding whether feel is worth another $30 will vary from player to player. 

I can't speak to feel or performance of the TM wedges however I will say they are my favorite looking wedges at address.  The squared lines are just perfect and if I could only get along with them they'd be the clear choice for me.

I'm a very satisfied SM8 & SM9 player.  

[KC Golf]

12 minutes ago, chisag said:

 

... I have been playing a full set off Vokey SM9's with Euro flags I won in the Ryder Cup contest, but before that I played a MG3 50* and a MG4 58* and the differences are subtle. Very subtle. I think the MG4's do feel a little better but that's it. Deciding whether feel is worth another $30 will vary from player to player. 

Thank you. That’s what I was thinking but great to hear it from someone playing the two side by side. 
 

 

36 minutes ago, cnosil said:

This article will give you the TM answer. https://golf.com/gear/wedges/taylormade-mg-4-wedges-first-look/

Big Thank You!   Really appreciate it. 

I will definitely go pick up an MG3 to try it out.  Really hate paying big dollars for a wedge that wears out within a year or two. 

The MGS Forum is soooo amazing. 

[chisag]

4 minutes ago, bens197 said:

I can't speak to feel or performance of the TM wedges however I will say they are my favorite looking wedges at address.  The squared lines are just perfect and if I could only get along with them they'd be the clear choice for me.

I'm a very satisfied SM8 & SM9 player.  

 

... I know it borders on equipment blasphemy but when I was playing the MG wedges and like you, they look perfect to me eye, I just couldn't imagine playing anything else. Winning the SM9's, adding a 54* to my rotation and playing them for several months now I am reluctant to go back to the MG's. I have always felt a wedge is a wedge and if it looks right at address and has the correct sole grind, most players can use any wedge. Initially the slightly different look and darker finish of the SM9's took some getting used to. But once you get comfortable with what you are playing I think there really is no reason to change, other than curiosity. 

[MattWillGolf]

Last summer I was looking to replace my Callaway MD3 wedges. I tried Edison but couldn’t get along with it and took advantage their generous refund policy. I then wanted to get the MG4 wedges. I went to the TaylorMade website to place my order but the wedges I wanted couldn’t deliver until December which was well after my season ended. I ended up going to the Titleist website and used their wedge selection tool. I ordered the SM9 in 54 and 58 both in the D grind. I am incredibly happy with them. They feel great and just plain work for me.

[RHB75]

As I stated before, once upon a time I was a devoted Vokey wedge guy for years.  But after trying the Taylormade MG3's I was converted given the enhanced sound, feel and accuracy. I agree with the comments about the wear and tear on the wedges themselves; but, I haven't noticed them tearing up my Pro V-1X or TP5X golf balls. After saying that, I buy new 54 and 60 degree wedges every year (and my 50 degree wedge every 2 years) so that wear and tear is not a big deal for me.  In addition, I carry a grove sharpening tool--which I use as needed (typically once a month after about 9 months or so). But for me the difference in accuracy and feel of my MG4s is well worth it.