Through WedgeWorks, Vokey Design has figured out a great way to keep its fans engaged throughout a wedge line’s product cycle. We’ve become accustomed to a steady stream of WedgeWorks releases throughout the year, most recently utilizing the SM10 platform. Since we reviewed the SM10 in February, we’ve covered four WedgeWorks releases, each uniquely designed for certain swings and/or conditions. WedgeWorks nomenclature can get a little confusing to the uninitiated, but Vokey’s Tour staff and long-time fans have always had their favorites. To these players, names like M Grind and L Grind mean something special. One true WedgeWorks classic is the K grind, originally a wide-soled, high-bounce wedge that delivered amazing bunker performance.
Of course, when you’re working with the world’s best players you lean on their feedback and needs for new designs. Bob Vokey and Aaron Dill seem to have the magic touch when it comes to delivering the performance their Tour staff needs. One thing that players asked for was a low-bounce version of the K grind, which resulted in the WedgeWorks Low Bounce K Grind that we reviewed in April of this year.
But that’s not all. The K Grind has established itself as an immensely popular option in the WedgeWorks line, and the company is bringing another version to market. It’s called the K* Grind and it’s the brainchild of Vokey, Dill, and PGA Tour veteran Webb Simpson.
“Webb was not one to make many changes to his wedges,” said Dill. “As conditions shifted on tour and we introduced different soles in our line, Webb was motivated to test additional grind options that could offer some forgiveness. This led to Webb in 2015 testing a 60 K Grind, and while this was a great wedge, it still was missing a key element important to him: versatility from tighter lies. Webb and I worked on the sole, adding relief, testing different bounce angles, and ultimately landing on most of the modifications we see today in the K*.”
In addition to Webb Simpson, the K* Grind graces the bags of Cameron Young, Ludvig Åberg, Justin Thomas, and others. Thomas also played an instrumental part in the K*’s development.
We already acknowledged that the various WedgeWorks names can be confusing, and adding a third “K” to the discussion certainly doesn’t makes things any clearer. It’s really not that difficult though. The K* is an extension of the Low Bounce K Grind. Rather than the smooth, full sole we are accustomed to with K wedges, it’s spent a considerable amount of time on the grinding wheel. According to Vokey Design, “the sole of the K* Grind features a steeper pre-wear on the leading edge along with heel, toe and trailing edge relief.”
The company goes on to say, “The steeper pre-wear on K* adds forgiveness from the square-faced position, with a narrow ribbon of added bounce along the leading edge helping to resist excessive digging. In an open-faced position, the heel, toe and trailing edge relief on K* allows the leading edge to sit closer to the ground, adding greenside versatility by helping the player slide under the ball easier. And like all K Grind variations, K* has a wide sole that excels out of the bunker.”
In many ways, the K* appears to have taken a somewhat one-dimensional design and opened up a plethora of new ways it can be used and conditions it can be played. It’s still intended to have the long-loved bunker performance we associate with the K Grind, but as a lob wedge it can be utilized in a variety of face angles from tight lies. For many players, this could be one of the most versatile wedge grind options they’ve ever put in the bag. While it will not be as friendly to steep swings as the original K Grind is, the leading edge should be a little friendlier than many low bounce options out there.
Like all SM10 wedges, the WedgeWorks K* Grind includes all the technology we love, like Spin Milled grooves and a progressive CG location that drives launch down and spin up in higher lofts. In addition, consumers have a healthy list of customization options at their fingertips, whether they are looking for stamping, paint fill, or custom shafts.
Details
- WedgeWorks K* Grind is available through golf shops worldwide and Vokey.com now.
- MAP $225
- Lofts: 58° and 60° in RH only
- Finish: Raw
- Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold S200 | Grip: Titleist Universal 360
