Vokey Wedge Experience: TPI Ocenside

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By Matthew S

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  • 6 Replies
  1. Matthew S

    Matthew S
    Mississauga, ON

    About a month ago I went up to Oceanside TPI Facility to spend 3-3.5 hours with Bob Vokey working on wedges. We first started inside where Dino gave me a tour of the facility. Then we went over to the workshop area where Bob and I talked a little about my game, the different wedges I have played, the different types of grinds he does and some of what some tour players are using. At this time Dino took my wedges and 9 iron and spec'd them out. Once we talked for a bit about all stuff Vokey and Canada, we jumped in a cart and drove to the back of the range. We first started hitting shots with my 9 iron and PW to get some yardage gaps. Then we did some work with my current TVD 50 and I told Voke I wasn't happy with it as I didn't like the grind on it and didn't think I really needed a grind. I also told him I really liked the older 200 shape. We then hit some different bounce 50's and determined the 12 was the best and he's going to grind the profile to look like a 200 series. Then we moved on to the sand and lob with fuller swings. Found that 50-55-60 was the right gapping for yardages for me and a 46* was actually quite a good fit for me. We hit some 3/4 to fuller shots and narrowed down the 55 to a tvd M and a 54.14 bent to 55. We also narrowed down the 60 to 3 wedges. A 60.07 S, a Hand Ground V grind and a M grind with a pro groove. We found that making the lie angle 1* more upright from my normal 2*'flat helped a lot as well. From there we went to hit pitch shots from 30-50 yards over a bunker and then some different spots around the green including 2 different bunkers some uphill short sided lies and some of my hardest spot the basic 50 yard pitch shot. From the pitch shots we found the 55* wedges were about equal and the M Grind and V grind 60's were the best. From the bunker the 55TVD was better and the 60.07 S and the 60M was the best. From the short sided shot the 60 S was the best. With the 60M being s close second. Then from my struggle distance 40-50 yards the TVD55 was the best. We determined the best wedges for my bag were the 54TVD bent to 55 and the 60M Hand Ground with a Pro Groove as around the greens and especially in the bunker it performed the best all around. Bunkers are the best part of my short game. After we went back and discussed shafts, grips, stamping, different cosmetic grinds like the thin top line I added to the 60M. My 46/50 SM5 will both have a 200 series toe profile grind applied to them. The TVD55 will have the older TVD profile ground into it (not as round). And the 60M will have a thinner Topline and a pro groove grind and no offset. Overall such a great process and totally worth the price. Voke will now take the specs and notes and hand grind the 4 raw tour wedges for me and ship them to me.  Can't wait to get them. 

    I got an email late last week saying they were shipping, so I should have them in hand this week and il post some pictures when I can. 

  2. Darius V

    Darius V
    Barrie, ON

    Wow...

    What an awesome experience. There is no doubt you are more dedicated to improving your game than the average player. I almost feel like I am not giving my game a fair shot after reading the lengths you are going through to improve your game. However, at almost 60 years of age I think I have to remember that there are different levels of golf and each of us have significantly different goals.

    I look forward to seeing pics of your new clubs once they arrive.

    Darius

  3. Matthew S

    Matthew S
    Mississauga, ON

    Wedges are a little delayed but will get pics up as soon as I can. 

  4. Tyler H

    Tyler H
    Appleton, WI

    Sounds like an amazing experience Matthew. After reading about your experience, it is definitely something that I have to do,


    Tyler

  5. Kenny

    Kenny
    Monte Sereno, CA

    Wow,

    Sounds like one heck of an experience. I would love to get down there and have the legend himself dissect my wedge swing to custom fit each club. Knock em close with the new sticks!

    KR

  6. FJL

    FJL
    Kitchener, ON

    Good read about your experience with the custom fitted wedges and BV.  I was privileged to have received an invite to the Mississauga Golftown a few years back and they were extending a "Meet Bob Vokey" there.  Had a very nice discussion with him regarding design and grindings (this was several years ago and he was already talking about the grinds and shaftings he has today), I was very impressed as I'm involved in club fitting and iron/wedge grinds and lastly club building.  He is most knowledgeable and I was appreciative of the entire experience, especially when he autographed my Titleisy Vokey Wedge Tour Bag.  

  7. Brent Wells

    Brent Wells
    El Paso, TX

    Military

    Amazing visit!  Thanks for sharing with TT!!!

     

    Brent

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