What makes Vokeys so popular

[the.landshark]

Consistency (and I don't mean around the greens).

Year after year, (product) generation after generation... they're the same. Sure, the stamping on the back might be a little different, and the model name may change, but I can *always* get the look I want at address and grinds I like. They never try to re-invent the wedge, like Callaway, Nike, Taylormade, Ping, Cobra, Cleveland, etc... in the last 5 years, how many (actually) differently designed wedges have each of those brands put out? And how many has Titleist/Vokey?

Being able to walk into any shop (anywhere) for a replacement, and having *immediate* confidence in your new scoring club, is a great place to be!

[rbhan12]

A couple things, but here's the biggest, bounce. Bob Vokey was the first wedge maker (big wedge maker with a distribution channel) that stamped bounce numbers on his wedges. The best way he sold wedges was telling people that hit their wedges fat they need more bounce. Hit it thin, you need less bounce. I've analyzed bounce extensively in several posts, but basically that was his claim to fame. Telling the world about bounce and using that as a marketing tool which sold a ton of wedges. Similarly, Cleveland sold a TON of wedges with their dot bounce system. That's about it. Performance difference is practically the same across the board. Basically comes down to preference, but that's how Vokey became the name in wedges.

[rbhan12]

A couple things, but here's the biggest, bounce. Bob Vokey was the first wedge maker (big wedge maker with a distribution channel) that stamped bounce numbers on his wedges. The best way he sold wedges was telling people that hit their wedges fat they need more bounce. Hit it thin, you need less bounce. I've analyzed bounce extensively in several posts, but basically that was his claim to fame. Telling the world about bounce and using that as a marketing tool which sold a ton of wedges. Similarly, Cleveland sold a TON of wedges with their dot bounce system. That's about it. Performance difference is practically the same across the board. Basically comes down to preference, but that's how Vokey became the name in wedges.

[Sean2]

They are the Titleist golf balls of wedges.

[smiley9929]

Marketing combined with the Tour use validating them as 'the real deal'.

I agree with most of the others who've commented that they aren't anything special - other than the options and grinds available.

I played Cleveland for many years then Mizuno for years and tried $450 worth of Vokeys all of last year but they didn't do a thing for me - total lack of feel for me.

Testing some Callaway MD2 forged wedges as soon as the weather breaks and if they don't appeal then back to Mizuno.

[Jaywh2]

The strength of the brand. Every loft and bounce and grind option you would ever need. Consistent grooves. Cast but decent feel. Not as soft as mizuno scratch or fourteen. Just a solid wedge offering. Tour pros play them for a reason. Even non titleist sponsored.

[cane700]

I bought 3 Vokeys off a friend and instantly grooved with them. They work for me so I will stick with them.

[RogerinNewZealand]

I am Completely Open Minded on every club in the bag.This is GolfWRX.

I have been a Ping Guy in mid 1990's
I was a Mizuno Guy in 2010 when i got back into golf after 10 years away.
Currently, my raw Vokey 200's 52 56 60 are accurate, have good gaps
and i don't skull them. Medium spin and predictable

Raw Vokeys are softer than Tour Chrome to me anyway.
I do own mp 68's and MP 11 wedges...BUT i bag the Vokeys and feel they are the softest overall.
I bought the Vokeys after X forges, Jaws, becu Hogan and Eye 2, 900's,588s new and old. Rebuilding old (raw)588's would be my next choice! Cheers!

[creative10]

[quote name='Jaywh2' timestamp='1391813680' post='8619077']
The strength of the brand. Every loft and bounce and grind option you would ever need. Consistent grooves. Cast but decent feel. Not as soft as mizuno scratch or fourteen. Just a solid wedge offering.[b] Tour pros play them for a reason. Even non titleist sponsored[/b].
[/quote]

That pretty much sums it up right there.

[Arpeggi]

Vokeys are the best. No other OEM is offering the off the rack options that the SM5 has.

[StarFleetGolfer]

[quote name='Arpeggi' timestamp='1391826869' post='8620401']
Vokeys are the best. No other OEM is offering the off the rack options that the SM5 has.
[/quote]



Don't you know it's all the Vokey commercials you see.

[SoCalTitleist]

[quote name='the.landshark' timestamp='1391810765' post='8618789']
Consistency (and I don't mean around the greens).

Year after year, (product) generation after generation... they're the same. Sure, the stamping on the back might be a little different, and the model name may change, but I can *always* get the look I want at address and grinds I like. They never try to re-invent the wedge, like Callaway, Nike, Taylormade, Ping, Cobra, Cleveland, etc... in the last 5 years, how many (actually) differently designed wedges have each of those brands put out? And how many has Titleist/Vokey?

Being able to walk into any shop (anywhere) for a replacement, and having *immediate* confidence in your new scoring club, is a great place to be!
[/quote]

very good points.

[np78]

excellence. No wedge lasts as long, spins as much and allows me to be as creative as my Vokey 60.07

I love my Vokeys and can't wait to get the SM5

[super20dan]

simple. pros are paid to play them -you guys see them and buythem. me i think they are the most overrated wedge there is. once in a great while i see one that i might like to try but the vast majority have way too much bounce.

[BillyZ2]

[quote name='VinceFurnier' timestamp='1391795177' post='8617021']
Millions of $$$ in marketing is effective. I'm not knocking Titleist, but they simply spend more money promoting Vokey than most companies do to promote their wedge lines. They also do a great job of getting them in stores. There are some great wedges out there that nobody ever sees. The Wilson FG wedges come to mind.

"We begin by coveting what we see every day." - Hannibal Lecter
[/quote]+1
There are a lot of wedges that perform well. As a 13 hc, i'm not sure one wedge is that much better then the other, in terms of manf'r. What's most important to me is probably loft, grind, shaft, grip, all of which can be found in every wedge manf'r. Just because some pro hits marvelous shots with Vokey, doesn't mean I can. Vokeys are probably great wedges, but for me, I could use any manf wedge and get the same results. It's human nature to want to be attached to big names and famous people, and manf's don't advertise for nothing!

[square]

It's a combination of advertising hype and Tour player usage.
Regarding functionality,, Vokey's are ridiculously overrated.

[oakhill]

I purchased my first Vokey two days ago. I went with a Vokey for loft/bounce options as it's hard to find a 56-08. Also because of their good reputation.

[Redhill]

From a marketing approach and from the tour presence they do seem to THE wedge to get, especially if you want to be cool.

It is interesting to see why the cast wedges are more popular than the forged but then again with most of the forged ones you don't see the marketing and tour lads playing them with some exceptions. I see a lot of lads playing forged irons, either MB or CB and then stuffing cast wedges in the bag. Apparently that's what they like but you would think that the wedges would be more feel clubs and many say the feel of the forged irons is the best. Opinions do differ.

I tried Vokey wedges for a while just because of the PGA tour players using them and they didn't do the job for me. I moved on to the Cleveland family of wedges and stayed there for a long time mainly based on the looks of those wedges. Currently reside with the Mizunos and like where I'm at.

[HiSpeed48]

[quote name='super20dan' timestamp='1391832379' post='8620975']
simple. [b]pros are paid to play them[/b] -you guys see them and buythem. me i think they are the most overrated wedge there is. once in a great while i see one that i might like to try but the vast majority have way too much bounce.
[/quote]

You're saying that the pros w/o Titleist contracts are being paid to play them? Where did you hear that?

I remember a thread on TeamTitleist where someone from Titleist said that pros aren't paid to use Vokeys if they aren't on a Titleist contract.

Someone from Odyssey said the same thing in a thread on this forum about pros using Odyssey putters who don't have a full contract.

[Wedge]

The main reason Vokeys are so popular on tour is because of Bob Vokey. His hands on approach to modifying wedge grinds, applying player input in his designs, and total ownership of HIS brand fosters confidence and loyalty among tour players and that filters to the public.

You cannot go wrong with Vokey, Cleveland, Mizuno, Cally, or Nike wedges. They're all top notch products. And there are some smaller companies, like Scratch, Edel, Hopkins, and others who make excellent products as well.

But Bob Vokey and Roger Cleveland were the first guys to really put subtle, but very real improvements into the standard sand wedge. It would be wrong to leave Dave Pelz out of the discussion too. He's more responsible than anyone in expanding the wedge line and use. Vokey and Cleveland were the first to take advantage of that and fill that need.

I've played Mizuno Type R's for years. Changing now because mine aren't conforming anymore and it's just time to change. I had full intentions of staying with Mizuno, but ended up with Vokey SM4 black nickels. Loved the look, lots of bounce/grind options, and the performance,feel, consistency sealed the deal for me.

Bottom line answer to the OP question?
They are a well designed, researched product that for a long time has consistently met or exceeded customer expectations and was at the forefront of the wedge's expanded use.

[MyShortGameSucks]

As a major Titleist fan-boy (and someone with a less than stellar short game) I struggle with liking Vokeys. For years it has been the default wedge for me to go with my Titleist irons. Recently I have found a grind I like and that has really helped around the greens. Still I always felt there was something missing on longer shots. This last year I finally worked out and admitted to myself....there is a forgiveness gap going from say AP2 PW to a 52 deg or 56 Vokey. Yup. Not cool as a 3 to admit that but for me that's how it is and through this last season I started to lose confidence with Vokey approach shots. In the end I threw out the 52, 56, 60 Vokeys bought an AP2 Gap Wedge and Cleveland RTX CB 56, 60. I hate the look of my bag now with those fugly RTX wedges but I am enjoying not missing greens from 95 yards with a SW in my hand

So bottom line Vokeys are good wedges and the bounce and grind options cannot be beat but don't dismiss some of the less "cool" CB wedges like Cleveland RTX CB and Pings. BTW the Cleveland's felt just as good around the greens as the Vokeys!

[cxx]

[quote name='the.landshark' timestamp='1391810765' post='8618789']
Consistency (and I don't mean around the greens).

Year after year, (product) generation after generation... they're the same. Sure, the stamping on the back might be a little different, and the model name may change, but I can *always* get the look I want at address and grinds I like. They never try to re-invent the wedge, like Callaway, Nike, Taylormade, Ping, Cobra, Cleveland, etc... in the last 5 years, how many (actually) differently designed wedges have each of those brands put out? And how many has Titleist/Vokey?

Being able to walk into any shop (anywhere) for a replacement, and having *immediate* confidence in your new scoring club, is a great place to be!
[/quote]

Consistency is huge for wedges. I went through many sets of irons over the years, although not as many most on this site, but I kept the same wedges. I bought the early 200 series wedges in the 90's. They had great feel and produced consistent results. This is before the spin milled era. I tried many of the competitors but, at that time, they were not as similar to the vokeys as they are now. As an example, the clevelands were much lighter and had different sole grinds.

Wedges are finesse clubs. The way they feel and interact with the ball and sand/turf is everything. So I was a little concerned when my wedges started to look concave on the faces, besides the fact that they were non-conforming. I looked at the new vokeys and found that the early c-c wedges produced about the same spin as I was used to and the grinds were very close to the original 200's. Vokey even makes the 200's available through wedgeworks but that was not necessary for me.

I did play some eye 2 wedges with the eye 2 set, which were completely different, but went back to the vokeys when I switched back to more traditional irons. The fact that you can go back after 15+ years and find essentially the same club is huge. I'm sure other brands work for other people, but I'll always check the vokeys out first because I've had very good results in the past.

As far as marketing, they have had a superior brand since the beginning and haven't screwed it up by moving away from their strengths. The only reasonable explanation for very high tour usage over the lifetime of the brand is that they make good clubs.

[KjBowen]

I think the what makes a lot of players like vokey is the better player wants the green side playability

Titleist has 2 products that they will prob never discontinue or change

Vokey and ProV

These are what the tour an better players look for. There is no adjustment period year to year when other OEMs release drastically different wedges or balls.
A tour player can prob adjust to a new vokey in minutes as they offer the same grinds and options year to year

And like a post above said.. Most changes are purely cosmetic

After more thought

I would be willing to wager that 4 categories in golf are dominated by titleist

AP irons
Vokey wedges
ProV1 balls
Scotty Cameron putters

That's not a coincidence

[dlygrisse]

[quote name='square' timestamp='1391841449' post='8621457']
It's a combination of advertising hype and Tour player usage.
Regarding functionality,, Vokey's are ridiculously overrated.
[/quote]How so?
Not saying there aren't other great options out there, but in terms of OTR options I don't know who can even touch them in terms of lofts, grinds, finishes, bounce options etc. The beauty of Vokey is that they are a really good wedge, with options that don't have to be custom ordered. Sure you can custom order a set of Scratch wedges on-line, pay 3X's the money and is your game really going to improve?

Please tell me how Vokeys are ridiculously overrated compared to what?

In terms of similar price points which one of these manufacterers has more options..
Cleveland? (lofts yes, grinds no)
Mizuno?
Taylormade?
Nike?
Callaway?
Adams?
Ping? (they do offer custom grinds, which is nice)
Hopkins?

Fact is unless you are spending $300 a club they are one of if not the best option for a lot of people.

[BillyZ2]

[quote name='dlygrisse' timestamp='1391871914' post='8622493']
[quote name='square' timestamp='1391841449' post='8621457']
It's a combination of advertising hype and Tour player usage.
Regarding functionality,, Vokey's are ridiculously overrated.
[/quote]How so?
Not saying there aren't other great options out there, but in terms of OTR options I don't know who can even touch them in terms of lofts, grinds, finishes, bounce options etc. The beauty of Vokey is that they are a really good wedge, with options that don't have to be custom ordered. Sure you can custom order a set of Scratch wedges on-line, pay 3X's the money and is your game really going to improve?

Please tell me how Vokeys are ridiculously overrated compared to what?

In terms of similar price points which one of these manufacterers has more options..
Cleveland? (lofts yes, grinds no)
Mizuno?
Taylormade?
Nike?
Callaway?
Adams?
Ping? (they do offer custom grinds, which is nice)
Hopkins?

Fact is unless you are spending $300 a club they are one of if not the best option for a lot of people.
[/quote]You made a good post, with some good facts. For serious golfers (hc approx 10 or less) I'm sure Vokeys are a serious contender. For higher hc's, I think some buy alot because of advertising and hearsay. Not saying they will be disappointed, but I think other wedges will work just as well. I purchased a Callaway MD258/14c alot because of the reputation, options, got a good buy, and I liked the appearance. There are a lot of good options out there, and Vokey does provide many themself.

[square]

My take is that wedges are often played off hard pan, out of the rough, amongst clumps of grass, a variety of sand conditions, and other less than ideal lies. Since distance control is important for wedge play, "forgiveness' really matters. No matter how good a player's swing, or how much he practices, off bad lies mishits will happen.A slight mishit with a Vokey is penalized more than any other wedge brand.

[quote name='dlygrisse' timestamp='1391871914' post='8622493']
[quote name='square' timestamp='1391841449' post='8621457']
It's a combination of advertising hype and Tour player usage.
Regarding functionality,, Vokey's are ridiculously overrated.
[/quote]How so?
Not saying there aren't other great options out there, but in terms of OTR options I don't know who can even touch them in terms of lofts, grinds, finishes, bounce options etc. The beauty of Vokey is that they are a really good wedge, with options that don't have to be custom ordered. Sure you can custom order a set of Scratch wedges on-line, pay 3X's the money and is your game really going to improve?

Please tell me how Vokeys are ridiculously overrated compared to what?

In terms of similar price points which one of these manufacterers has more options..
Cleveland? (lofts yes, grinds no)
Mizuno?
Taylormade?
Nike?
Callaway?
Adams?
Ping? (they do offer custom grinds, which is nice)
Hopkins?

Fact is unless you are spending $300 a club they are one of if not the best option for a lot of people.
[/quote]

[Low Draw]

[quote name='Jeckert07' timestamp='1391795254' post='8617031']
I think you guys hit the nail on the head, reputation for being quality wedges, tour representation and performance. I've played Vokeys for awhile and just stick with what I know. Not that there aren't other wedges out there that perform as well, I just trust my Vokeys...if it ain't broke don't fix it!
[/quote]

I agree with the above. I just think that with the price point they are at they have some of the better offerings. I have played several wedges that I find to be better than a vokey but unless you are willing to shell out 300 plus a wedge these are best offerings off the rack.

[BillyZ2]

[quote]these are best offerings off the rack. [/quote]
I think they are Some of the best.

[richard t]

Someone mentioned consistency. Well, that's why there are 6 various Eye2 wedges ( including XGs) in the bags I have. Yes, there is one Vokey TVD too. It could easily be Callys, Clevelands, etc.
Do I hate Vokey? No indeed.
Do I think they are great wedges? Yes, I do, very much so.
Will I switch and use it/them? Very doubtful.
As someone said, 'if it ain't broke...' After 30+ years i doubt any other wedge would get my attention.
You have to find what works for YOU and forget all the other hype.

[KevCarter]

[quote name='richard t' timestamp='1391879964' post='8623365']
Someone mentioned consistency. Well, that's why there are 6 various Eye2 wedges ( including XGs) in the bags I have. Yes, there is one Vokey TVD too. It could easily be Callys, Clevelands, etc.
Do I hate Vokey? No indeed.
Do I think they are great wedges? Yes, I do, very much so.
Will I switch and use it/them? Very doubtful.
As someone said, 'if it ain't broke...' After 30+ years i doubt any other wedge would get my attention.
You have to find what works for YOU and forget all the other hype.
[/quote]

One of my all time favorite wedges was the original Beryllium Copper Eye 2 L. It had kind of the pre-curser to the "M" grind. Loved that club, I could use it still today...