Vokey M Grind Out of Bunkers

[DaveLeeNC]

I was recently playing around with a friends 56* M Grind SM9 Vokey wedge. I kind of liked it somehow - both around the greens and full shots. I did not have access to a bunker at that time so I was wondering what folks thought about this club out of the sand (reasonably well maintained bunkers in my case).

 

Thanks.

 

dave

[Nixhex524]

I never had any huge issues with it.  If the sand was soft and full, then I had to add a little more speed with the lower bounce even opening up the face but I love the M grind really.  Very versatile.  That said, I have been using a 60/10s and am liking that a little but more overall.  If you can use it properly, that slightly wider sole on the M is very good, though.

[Rowlande08]

I play an M grind in a 54 degree.  Play around Chicago so bunkers are often wet/heavy in the spring and dry/rocky in the summer. M grind holds up well but you have to be pretty exacting with the strike. It likes to dig in sand so really open up the stance, lower the handle, and slide under it.  If you play a course with lots of bunkers I would recommend another grind with more bounce.

Edited May 14 by Rowlande08

[rsballer10]

I have used the 60M out of bunkers just fine, though I generally use a 54S for most of my bunker shots. When it comes to bunker clubs, IMO surface area matters more than bounce #. Any club with a wider sole and less relief is going to be easier out of them. 

 

Phil Mickelson has a great explanation of how trail edge grind works when the face is open. Essentially, the "back angle" is what interacts with the sand/ground when the face is open. Generally, more aggressive "back angles" will be tougher to hit out of bunkers.

 

 

[gumpy]

Works great for my 58 from all but the super fully stuff. Even then it’s okay but I use my 54 generally 

[DooZ]

Play both a 54M & 60M. The bunkers I normally play are firm so the lower bounce works well. When I play softer/fluffy sand I know I just have to go after it more. 

[lambo428]

I have a 58 M grind and it didn't work for my swing with soft fairways, rough, medium soft sand bunkers.  I was very inconsistent with the M grind.

 

Because of the playing conditions that I regularly encounter, the S grind works great out of fairways, rough and bunker.  But when my short game is off and I'm in a bunker, I play a K grind which requires no fancy swings or open faces and I just need to get out of the bunker.  

[buckrogers71]

1. I was not a fan of the M out of the sand. It could be (like others have already commented) that I have to swing harder to get it out, otherwise it would stick. Went to the D grind in both 58 and 54 and couldnt be happier.

[drcohen]

Depends what kind of sand you play out of most of the time. If its a harder sand the M grind will work better because of the lower bounce. But if the sand if soft, its gonna be harder to pick up the sand. Personally I like the K Grind because of the wider sole makes it easier to hit out of bunkers. 

Edited May 14 by drcohen

[Pepperturbo]

3 hours ago, DaveLeeNC said:

I was recently playing around with a friends 56* M Grind SM9 Vokey wedge. I kind of liked it somehow - both around the greens and full shots. I did not have access to a bunker at that time so I was wondering what folks thought about this club out of the sand (reasonably well maintained bunkers in my case).

 

Thanks.

 

dave

I have M-58.8 and T-58.4.   Had a Vokey M grind in the bag since 2016 SM6 came out.

 

AS much as I like how the T sets down behind the ball, and goes under without opening the face, 4' of bounce requires firm/tight conditions.   For that reason and others, M 58.8 is in the bag most of the time because opening the face for all sorts of shots is almost routine, and it's my soft conditions, and bunker club.

[manima1]

I didn't like the M out of the sand.  For me, too easy to dig and almost impossible to use out of fluffy sand.  The D-grind is much easier and for me the greatest sand club I've ever used.

 

V-grind is the GOAT 60 grind for me, however.  Has all of the versatility of an M with forgiveness the M lacks.  

[robbie91]

I played various versions of the M grind for many years and never experienced any issue out of the sand.   

[King_Slender]

8 hours ago, DaveLeeNC said:

I was recently playing around with a friends 56* M Grind SM9 Vokey wedge. I kind of liked it somehow - both around the greens and full shots. I did not have access to a bunker at that time so I was wondering what folks thought about this club out of the sand (reasonably well maintained bunkers in my case).

 

Thanks.

 

dave

 

I only play M grind - 54.08 and 58.08

 

No issues. 

[Taylor24]

My 58 is the M grind. I use it 95% of the time out of greenside bunkers. I have not had any issues that were user related. 

[EKB]

I have both the 56.08M and the 56.12D.  I’ve found that for my steeper swing, the bounce on the D is better for both full swings from the fairways/rough and out of the sand

[beluga99]

Much prefer the D grind out of sand, rough and fluffier lies.  The M has a slight edge on tighter lies but overall the D was better for my game.  Love that grind.

[Jraallen]

17 hours ago, beluga99 said:

Much prefer the D grind out of sand, rough and fluffier lies.  The M has a slight edge on tighter lies but overall the D was better for my game.  Love that grind.

I ordered a 54 with D grind the other day without being able to test it, and waiting for it to arrive was getting a little antsy I made a bad choice.. reaaally happy you made that comment lol. Ease out of sand, rough, and fluffy lies is exactly what I was hoping it would be good for.

[beluga99]

5 hours ago, Jraallen said:

I ordered a 54 with D grind the other day without being able to test it, and waiting for it to arrive was getting a little antsy I made a bad choice.. reaaally happy you made that comment lol. Ease out of sand, rough, and fluffy lies is exactly what I was hoping it would be good for.

I would be extremely surprised if you didn't like it.  My wedge and bunker play is a strength, and just found the D grind a delight in most situations.  I am currently playing a Mizuno T20 60.10 I think C grind, which looks similar to the D.  My next lob wedge will be a D grind or the Cleveland equivalent as I like trying new wedges.

 

Keep us posted on your many successes with the new wedge.

[Urb]

M is good out of bunkers.  I use a 60M and last year I played 56M and 60M.

 

Just open it up and let it rip.

[Lord Helmet]

15 hours ago, Jraallen said:

I ordered a 54 with D grind the other day without being able to test it, and waiting for it to arrive was getting a little antsy I made a bad choice.. reaaally happy you made that comment lol. Ease out of sand, rough, and fluffy lies is exactly what I was hoping it would be good for.

 

If you are steeper into the ball you will get on great with it.  For this sweeper style swinger it wasnt as good.  Versatile wedge though, just didnt fit.

[MattM97]

I have a 58S that I had ground to a 58M. It's been great for me out of bunkers. Have played it in multiple types of sand and as long as technique matches up with the grind it should be good to go.