Let's Get Real About Wedges with "Dr. Corey"
Tori recently sat down with a very special guest - "Dr. Corey" Gerrard. No, he's not an actual doctor, but when it comes to golf wedges, Corey is the ultimate authority. As the Marketing Director for Titleist Vokey Wedges, he knows these essential scoring clubs inside and out.
In this jam-packed episode, Corey dishes out his expertise on all things wedges:
- Choosing the right clubhead, shaft, and grip options
- Managing wear and tear
- Controlling ball flight and landing
- Demystifying grind, bounce, and loft
- Specialty wedges vs standard sets
- The importance of getting fitted
If you've ever stood in front of a wall of wedges, scratching your head in confusion, this episode is for you. Corey breaks it all down in a way that's easy to understand and apply to your game.
The Titleist White Coat Story
Before diving into wedge specifics, Tori had to ask about those iconic white coats worn by the Titleist team at big events like the PGA Show. Turns out, there's a fascinating history behind them.
"Long, long time ago, many decades ago, the PGA tour really was a traveling circus...To get that Titleist golf ball, you had to see the Titleist rep first who would give you a chip to take into the pro shop and redeem that for your golf balls for the week. The easiest way to find the Titleist rep was to put 'em in a white jacket." - Corey Gerrard
What started as a practical way for players to find the Titleist rep has become a symbol of the company's heritage and commitment to excellence. The white coats may look intimidating en masse, but Corey assures us the people wearing them are friendly, knowledgeable, and there to help.
When to Replace Your Wedges
One of the most common questions golfers have about wedges is how often they should be replaced. The wear and tear is most noticeable on the higher lofted clubs used around the green and in bunkers. So when should you swap out your trusty sand wedge or lob wedge?
Corey and the Titleist R&D team have done extensive testing on this very question. The key number to remember is 75.
"After 75 rounds of golf or the equivalent of you start to see spin come down...If you fast forward that to a hundred rounds or 125 rounds, it's going to wear even more." - Corey Gerrard
The problem is, the degradation happens gradually, so most golfers don't notice it's happening. It's like trying to see someone grow a mustache when you see them every day. The changes are imperceptible in the moment, but add up over time.
As the grooves wear down, you'll start to see:
- Shots launching higher
- Balls rolling up the face
- Shorter carry distances
- More rollout on landing
If you're having to swing harder or flight the ball lower to compensate, it might be time for some new wedges. Don't worry, it doesn't mean your trusty gamers are dead, they just might not be as spinny as they once were.
Basics of Wedge Performance
What do you actually need your wedges to do? Corey breaks it down into a simple, three-step process:
- Find the right golf ball
- Have fresh grooves
- Keep those grooves clean
"The job of the groove is really important. It's there to really channel debris such as grass, sand, all of that stuff into the groove so the ball can hit the sharp edge of the groove and bite and stick." - Corey Gerrard
Contrary to what most golfers think, a properly hit wedge shot should fly low and spin a lot. You're looking to make contact on grooves 2-5 from the bottom. This will produce a lower trajectory with tons of grab.
There are two ways to stop the ball on the green:
- Land it softly from a higher flight
- Flight it low, drive it into the ground, and let the spin do the work
With a wedge, the low spinner is going to give you more control and consistency. Even if you need to get over a bunker, you don't need to hit it sky high. Remember, bunkers are usually below the level of the green.
Grind, Bounce, and Loft Explained
Grind, bounce, and loft - three key terms that can make any golfer's head spin. Let's break them down one by one.
Grind
- Refers to the shape of the sole (bottom) of the wedge
- Different grinds suit different swings, attack angles, and turf conditions
- Titleist offers 6 different grinds, indicated by a letter (e.g. M grind, S grind)
- Wider soles with more material removed are better for versatility and opening up the face
- Narrower, fuller soles are better for neutral deliveries and consistency
Bounce
- Measures the club's resistance to digging
- Indicated by a number on the sole (e.g. 8 degrees, 14 degrees)
- More bounce = wider sole that wants to skip through sand/turf
- Less bounce = narrower sole that wants to dig
- Beginners/diggers generally need more bounce
- Shallow swingers/pickers generally need less bounce
- Opening the face at address adds bounce, squaring or closing it reduces bounce
Loft
- The angle of the clubface relative to the shaft
- Indicated by a number on the sole (e.g. 50, 54, 58, 60)
- Higher loft = more height, spin, and shorter distance
- Lower loft = lower flight, more roll, and longer distance
- Loft gaps are important for distance control and shot variety
- Standard loft progression: Pitching Wedge (44-48°), Gap Wedge (50-52°), Sand Wedge (54-56°), Lob Wedge (58-60°)
The only way to know for sure which grind/bounce/loft combination is right for you is to experiment with different options and get fitted. Find a certified Titleist fitter and explain your typical playing conditions, swing tendencies, and what you like to do with your wedges around the green.
Specialty Wedges vs Standard Set
Many golfers are intimidated by the look of specialty wedges like Vokeys. With their compact head shapes and minimal offset, they resemble the blade irons played by tour pros and scratch golfers. But according to Corey, that sleek look belies the user-friendliness of a properly fit wedge.
"These are beautiful shiny tools...and you look at it and think, wow, can I hit that? I think one of the things over my time in golf is people look at a specialty wedge like this and it looks like a blade...It doesn't have any technology in it, man, they're hard to hit. This is not the case. They're specifically designed to help you in the bunker around the green get the most out of scoring." - Corey Gerrard
The main difference between a specialty wedge and a standard set wedge comes down to sole design. Set wedges tend to have wide, generic soles that aren't ideal for opening the face or playing from varied lies. In the hands of a skilled player, they can get the job done, but for most golfers, a specialty sole design will provide better contact and control.
Another common misconception is that raw finishes, which are popular on tour, spin the ball more. In reality, the finish has no impact on spin. Raw wedges are easier for tour vans to grind and customize for players, but the rust that forms over time is purely cosmetic.
The Importance of Wedge Fitting
Just like with a driver or set of irons, getting fit for wedges can unlock a new level of performance and consistency. But Corey acknowledges that wedge fitting isn't quite as common as it should be.
"Wedges I think as golfers we're probably 10 years behind. We are not thinking about that like we do for our driver. We wouldn't walk into too many shops these days and buy a driver off the rack. We would probably get fit for it. But wedges, we do." - Corey Gerrard
A proper wedge fitting doesn't have to be a long, drawn-out process. It can be done indoors or outdoors, on a launch monitor or not. The key is working with a skilled fitter who asks the right questions and has you hit enough shots to determine your needs.
Some key things to consider during a wedge fitting:
- What are your typical playing conditions? (firm, soft, bunkers, rough)
- What is your swing tendency? (steep, shallow, neutral)
- How much shot variety do you need? (open face, flop shots, etc.)
- Where are your distance gaps? (how far do you hit each wedge?)
- What feels good and gives you confidence?
Titleist has a wedge fitting app that can guide you through the process and narrow down your options in about 15 minutes. It's not about hitting a million perfect shots, it's about finding the tools that will perform best for your game.
What's New in SM10 Wedges
The new Titleist Vokey SM10 wedges are packed with performance upgrades, many of which are hidden under the hood. Here are some of the key improvements:
- Wider selection of grinds and bounce options
- Progressive CG for better flight control
- Tighter tolerances and improved groove cutting
- Four premium finishes (Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel, Jet Black, Raw)
- Customizable stamping and paint fill
The SM10's look great in the bag, but it's the technology inside that really sets them apart. By moving weight higher in the clubhead (a higher CG), Titleist has made it easier to flight wedge shots down without losing spin. You may not be able to see it, but you'll certainly feel it.
Whether you prefer a traditional chrome finish, an ultra-durable Brushed Steel, a stealthy Jet Black, or a tour-inspired Raw, the SM10 has you covered. And with expanded stamping options, you can add a personal touch to your new wedges.
Conclusion
After nerding out on wedges with Dr. Corey for an hour, Tori came away with a new appreciation for just how much goes into these precision tools. It's not about having the latest and greatest, it's about having the right wedges for your game.
To summarize, here are the key takeaways:
- Replace wedges every 75 rounds or so to maintain spin and control
- Prioritize clean contact low on the face for optimal trajectory and spin
- Understand the roles of grind, bounce, and loft and how they impact performance
- Don't be intimidated by specialty wedges - they're designed to help you score
- Get fit for wedges just like you would for any other club in the bag
The next time you're in the market for new wedges, don't just grab something off the rack. Take the time to work with a fitter, ask questions, and experiment with different options. Your short game will thank you.
"The best thing you can do is ask yourself, what do I actually want to achieve around the green and outta the bunker? Have a think about it. And then go and work with someone...if you do me one favor, think about it. Go in store, work with a fitter, I'll do the rest." - Corey Gerrard
Armed with Corey's wisdom and a custom fit set of Vokey SM10's, you'll be well on your way to wedge mastery. Just don't blame the tools if you duff one in the bunker. As Corey says, once you've got the right sticks, it's on you to put in the work and trust the process.
Happy wedging!
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