In March, Titleist launched its much-anticipated Vokey SM5 wedges, which offer golfers more spin through their new Spin Milled TX3 grooves, as well 21 different loft, bounce and grind combinations.
The SM5’s will cover the needs of most golfers interested in a Vokey wedge, but there’s always a few discerning players who want something a little different. For them, Vokey is releasing a new line of what it calls “Tour Van Design,” or TVD wedges, which add the new grooves and more grinds to two of the company’s most popular wedge models on tour: the TVD-K and TVD-M.
TVD-K wedges are used on tour by both Adam Scott and Jason Dufner in their lob wedges, and have soles that are wider and more cambered than other Vokey models. They’re available in lofts of 54-12, 56-12, 58-10 and 60-10.
While the 58- and 60-degree models are similar to their SM5 counterparts, the 58-11K and 60-11K, they have narrower soles and 1-degree less effective bounce than the SM5 models.
“The K grind has been a huge hit for us,” said Titleist Master Craftsman Bob Vokey. “It’s only been on Tour for a couple of years but we already have 30 guys using it. I think the secret is the cambered sole. It is wide and forgiving, but the camber keeps the club moving through the turf. So it’s playable in a variety of conditions.”
The TVD wedges are available in two finishes: California Chrome (left) and Black Ion.
The new TVD-M, which is available in lofts of 50-08, 52-08, 54-10, 56-12, 58-08 and 60-08, has a rounded teardrop profile that matches the shape of the TVD-K. Its moderate bounce and crescent-shaped M Grind sole makes it a great option for golfers who play courses with various turf conditions.
“We’ve had a lot of requests to match up the chassis, or shape, of the TVD-M with the TVD- K,” Vokey said. “It’s the natural progression of the series. We now have three distinct shapes in the Vokey family: the SM5 with a high toe peak, the rounded teardrop of the TVD and the compact look of the Hand Ground series. We have a look to fit anyone’s eye.”
Vokey’s new TVD wedges ($160 plus personalization packages) are available through Vokey.com and authorized Titleist accounts on May 7 as part of Vokey’s WedgeWorks lineup. They’re offered in two different finishes – California Chrome and Black Ion – and can be ordered in custom lofts, lengths and lie angles.
Golfers looking for a more personal touch can take advantage of Vokey staples such as toe engravings, stampings and laser shaft etching, as well as a variety of custom grip, shaft, shaft band and ferrule options.