SM-7 56 degree but can’t decide on Grind- S or M

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By Joseph P

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  • 28 Replies
  1. Help me decide folks. Yes I’ve completely exhausted any Grind video both on YouTube and Titleist channels. Yes I,ve watched Voke talking with dozens of players getting fit. Yes I’ve read the fitting guides from Titleist and it will be between these two. Yes I’ve exhausted reading about my style of steep decent/ big divot and understand turf density being firm to soft depending on course. I carry an honest 11-12 handicap. Yes I know a fitting would tell me best.

    Background......replacing my SM-6 56/12 F grind, already have 48-F, 52-F

    Will also be ordering a SM-7 D grind to replace SM-6 60 S grind for better help around greens and bunkers, got to hit one and loved it at my Titleist Thursday fitting for driver.

    I need experience stories for helping me decide. Am leaning S, but love the similarity of M to the D.

    Thanx in advance!

  2. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    How comfortable/successful are you with opening the face in a bunker? The S is more for those of us that don't/can't go full open face. I'm sure I read that somewhere under Vokey wedges to distinguish S and M. Having scored one of the slots for the Vokey experience, I'm hoping finally to learn enough about wedges to know why they fitted me to various grinds.
  3. Thanks for the response Don!

    I'm very comfortable adjusting the club face, in fact that's what lead me to loving the D grind so much for my coming new 60 degree.

    My current 60 is an S and while it's fine around the greens on square shots, I find it a little tricky when I open the face especially in the bunker.

    Do you think the M would handle that better in the 56?
  4. Not sure why Don, I posted a lengthy response that same day to you, but it never posted!
  5. Anyone have any experience??? :)
  6. Bax

    Bax
    Nebraska

    I went through the same thing. I decided on the S with my 54, because I hit full shots from around 85 yards with a square face. I do pitch with it quite a bit with a slight open face once in a while. I can also open the face out of the bunker with its 10 degree bounce and make it work really well.

    I use my 58 L for my chipping and around the green, I love it, open, close, name it, it fits my shallow swing.

    I did a lot of experimenting with these grinds, I wanted to like the M, but just didn’t work for me. I look at them this way, S for square, M for manipulate and L for love. Ha
  7. Todd T

    Todd T
    San Diego, CA

    Military
    Like Don said.. S-tricker plays mostly with a square face on his wedges... The M-ost used is like the jack of all trades, from closed to square to open! But go to a fitter and try them all.. Are you a digger or sweeper, what turf conditions do you play in!
  8. I think you answered your own question. Get fitted. That being said, I would put more importance on bounce rather than grind.
  9. I think you answered your own question. Get fitted. That being said, I would put more importance on bounce rather than grind.
  10. Ricky F

    Ricky F
    Inverness

    So, I have SM7's in the following grinds

    52 F
    56 S
    60 M

    The S grind allows enough opening of the face to play bunkers well, but still allows full shots from turf well. It's all personal preference at the end of the day but I'd go S.
  11. Steve M

    Steve M
    Berea, OH

    Military
    Suggest you look to your own experience. How well have you been playing with the present SM6-56/12 F? What improvement do you expect from S or M grind? You might be best off with what you are used to, especially if you're trying a new grind for your 60 degree. Usually it is better to change one thing at a time. Wedges are your feel & scoring clubs so best solution would be to go somewhere that you can try each of them off the turf - tape over the markings, then pick the one that feels best in your hand.
  12. Rich T

    Rich T
    Shrewsbury, MA

    I have the F, S and M grind wedges and love them all for my game and what I specifically try to do with each wedge.

    My 52.08 F grind is generally used for full shots from the fairway. For me, the F grind is a great transition from my AP2s -- it sets up nice and square for those full shots with the bounce needed so you aren't afraid to take a divot. I will also use it for longer pitch and runs green side from short grass areas.

    I went with the 56.10 S grind because I use the wedge a LOT from the fairway from 100 yards and in with both full and partial shots. At the same time, the S grind still allows me to open it and play green side shots with confidence. The versatility of the S is fantastic.

    I prefer the M grind in the 60* because I play that wedge open more often than not and love the way it sets down tight to the ground. I rarely hit more than 3/4 shots from the fairway with the 60*. Short sided bunker shots are great.

    How do YOU plan to use them? What types of shots will you rely on each wedge for (mostly)?

    Vokey 52.08 F grind - KBS 610 Wedge 120
    Vokey 56.10 S grind - KBS 610 Wedge 120
    Vokey 60.08 M grind - KBS Hi Rev

    -Rich T
  13. Joseph,

    I currently use the SM6 56*/10* bounce with the S grind. I like to use a regular, square swing with my wedges as opposed to getting too cute with opening the face since I don't have a place to practice these type of shots. According to the web-site, the S grind is for players that like square faced shots. Fairways and greens.

    Mark F
  14. CrazyGolfNut

    CrazyGolfNut
    omaha, NE

    I like the M grind the best. I use it in everything type of lie and sand. I have problems trying to open the face with a S grind.
  15. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    I have liked M grind for ages. I do open face shots. I had a 54-10S and its limitation was bunker shots; good for pitching and chipping. 58-08M or 56-08M have worked and you can hit them in hard sand or soft sand.
  16. Darin L

    Darin L
    Devils Lake, ND

    Let me start out with a question. Why do you want to change from the 56/12 F? The answer to that question could help us give you more advice.
    I personally have the following SM7 wedges: 50/08F, 54/08M(bent to 55), 60/12D. I like to open the club face on a lot of shots so that's why I went with the M & D grinds. I really like the setup I have but what works for me might not work for you.
  17. Thnx all for your excellent thoughts and responses, so helpful!

    I’ll try and cover some multiple areas many of you asked or commented on......

    I’m changing grinds mainly because I’d simply didn’t have as much consistency with my 56/60 and felt I tended to hit less square shots around the greens. Full shots were ok, touchy feely, not so much. Because I’m a feel player I realized I’d open the face when needed for flighting the ball down and using spin to check up, but got less consistency from what seemed to be a change on my leading edge, resulting in some less than desirable results, either 20% mores chunks or blades. Same on some of my bunker shots with my current 60/S grind, dug too deep maybe 30% of the time. Realize some of that is technic, but my short game has always been a weapon for me and so I’m looking for some help from my clubs, including confidence. Vokey fitting videos also contributed heavily to hear the man himself speak on letting the club do the work based on your game.

    I’m also looking to see if the improved COG on the SM7 will help with better pure shots when struck well, again for better flighting choices. Roll outs vs check-ups get decided depending on the course I’m on.

    Anyway, I’ve ordered the 56/M and the 60/D and their on there way so can’t wait to tested. I’m keeping my SM6’s in case I’m not liking the new. Can’t wait for some decent weather, we just experienced the epic Bomb Cyclone snow storm here in Colorado Springs and it dumped 4-5 ft drifts everywhere.

    Thanks again for the response from the community, so grateful

    I’ll give an update when I get them!

    Joseph
  18. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    A 56.10* S grind is a excellent all purpose wedge.
  19. Frank P

    Frank P
    Port St. Lucie, FL

    Military
    I used M grinds when they had 10 degrees of bounce. When they changed to 8 degrees I went to S grind. I play on Bermuda grass and you have to be careful manipulating the face with the tight lies and tough roughs here in FL. I got fit for mine and couldn't be happier. 54 and 58 S grinds.
  20. Craig P

    Craig P
    Shawano, WI

    I started with the SM7 54M/08 and the 58M/08. Coming down to Florida from Wisconsin with a little softer sand and heavy burmuda rough I picked up a 58S/10, which is working geeat. I can open it up a bit for short bunker or rough shots and square chipping and pitching. The SM7 54M/08 works good with any kind of shot. Good luck and still best to get fitted, the Titleist fitters are very knowledgeable.
  21. So just wanted to give an update on my SM-7's since I've now got about 7-8 rounds on them along with 3-4 serious practice sessions using my 60D and the 56M.

    All I can say is WOW!!!! What a HUGE difference on my 60D. Absolutely love the new bounce and grind. Have been able to hit multiple style shots around the greens with accuracy and growing confidence, but the big one is that low flighted pitch with a short check up - what a weapon! Love the way my Pro-V1 grabs the green and allows me to attack pins with confidence. Out of the sand is simply EASY now with a great measure of confidence and it just seems the ball pops out naturally without digging too deep. The occasional semi-flop shot is also very comfortable simply by opening the club face a bit and trusting the stroke to carry it up. What used to be a typical closest to the pin scenario of 4-8ft is now 2-4ft and opportunities of a One putt. :)

    I'm also very please with my new 56M in terms of flighted shots into the green - great hookup to the grass and an amazing check up so attacking the pin from 50-60 out with 1/2 to 3/4 swings are fantastic. On full shots around the 95-105 range is a little different as the bounce difference from my previous 56S requires a bit more "intentional" squaring of the face since the sole is a little different, but I'm starting to dial it in more as I practice. The biggest change however was being able to open the club face for the higher flighted shot and feeling I'm getting greater accuracy and it just drives through the ball without hitting it fat, which I had a tendency to do with my previous.

    All in all, incredibly pleased and would highly recommend the SM7's. The fresh grooves certainly help, but getting the right grind made a huge different and can say it's already saved me 4-6 shots per round because of shorter 1 putt opportunities.

    Thanks again TT community - you guys are fantastic!

  22. Great to hear. The right equipment makes a huge difference
  23. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    If you want the right one for your game and cannot make the decision, go get fitted. Was not sure and did the Vokey experience at Pinehurst. After talking to my fitter down here in Charleston and my instructor I had pretty much decided on a 58.12* D but the thing that drives the head was the shaft. After seeing Jeremy and Mr Vokey at Pinehurst, they agreed on the 58.12D and it was the shaft that took it over the hill. They moved me from a stiff shaft to a regular with a softer tip adding more weight to the head of the club. All this professional help made the difference. Expect it to be here next week. Oh by the way, was hitting it dead center, in the sand and from the fairway. Think the answer is in the performance of the club. Cheers, Chuck.........
  24. I have F in both my 48 and 54 but went with D in my 60 I think it's so versatile.
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