Spinning my full wedge shots too much

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By Joe M

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  • 10 Replies
  1. Joe M

    Joe M
    Lincolnton, NC

    About 9 months ago my Vokey 200 series wedges became worn down in the sweet spot, so I purchased 2 of the spin milled, 54 and 58 degree non CC version. Back in the summer the greens at my club were very firm and they worked great, full shots either 1 hop and stopped, or backed up 1 to 3 feet. Starting last fall our greens became softer, and currently they are the softest greens I've ever played. Any full wedge shots I hit will spin back at least 20 feet, some up to 40 feet. 3/4 shots come back at least 15 feet, some up to 30 feet. I went today and bought a used 54 CC Vokey which has wear on the face hoping this would help. The first shot I hit with it landed 7 feet left of the pin, exactly pin high, and spun back 30 feet to the front of the green. After this I put my Pro V1 back in the bag and hit a Top Flite (given to me by playing partner). My full wedge shots now just stopped dead or spun back 1-3 feet, but I absolutely hated the feel of this ball putting. I didn't make any putts with it, and the 2 greens I missed I had easy chips but didn't convert either, the ball rolled too far each time. I haven't tried the other balls Titleist makes, I've only used Pro V1 and V1x. Do they make a ball for very soft greens so I won't over spin my full wedge shots, but still have a soft feel when chipping and putting? I had an acceptable 9 holes today at 38, 2 over par, but it should have been an easy 36, even par.
  2. Greg E

    Greg E
    Lakeland, FL

    Get yourself some of the new SM4 Vokeys.  I had the same problem with my old Vokeys but really have gotten good results (read "better spin control") with the new SM4's with the CC groves.  Well worth the investment!

  3. Joe M

    Joe M
    Lincolnton, NC

    Greg, I thought the SM4 wedges create more spin than the standard SM CC wedges do? The SM4 is advertised as "maximum legal spin". The CC Spin milled is the lowest spinning wedge made by Vokey isn't it? The used one I bought was this version and has decent grooves but the rough finish between the grooves is worn off, and it still overspins the ball for me on soft greens. I still have my old 200 series 50, which is non spin mill, and I dont have this problem with it, the funny thing is the 200 isn't conforming, and I spin it less. Played 9 today and used my 909 3 wood instead of the driver on the short par 4's, my course has 5 of these ranging from 340 to 370 yards, hit the 50 on 4 of these and most backspin I got with my Pro V was 6 feet, I can live with that. But if the SM4 spins less than the regular SM CC, I will give them a try.
  4. Brent W

    Brent W
    St George, UT

    The SM4's do put more spin on the ball than the CC's You need to try the NXT or the Velocity. Titleist makes other balls than the prov family.

  5. Joe M

    Joe M
    Lincolnton, NC

    That is what Im trying to find out. I love the soft feel of the Pro V when chipping or putting. I'm going to buy a sleeve of each of those and try them my next chance to play. Maybe I have the wrong attitude, but I don't think there is a better ball than the ProV1 for chipping and putting. But that's probably because I've been playing it ever since it came out. I play wedges from flat lies right in the middle of my stance, and generally on a full shot take a divot which bottoms out about 2-3 inches in front of the ball, and from what my PGA pro has taught me, this is how they should look to ensure solid contact. So I don't want to mess with my swing or ball position. Is it possible to get Vokey wedges with the CC grooves that aren't the spin mill version, that just have the smooth surface between the grooves like the old 200 series non-spin milled were? If not maybe I could get the pro I take lessons from to come to my course and play 9 holes with me, and teach me how to hit a lower spinning shot. Only problem is he lives 50 miles from me, and I could probably buy 2 new wedges for the same price it would cost me to get him out on the course with me for 9 holes.
  6. Greg E

    Greg E
    Lakeland, FL

    Joe, I went from the Non-CC SpinMill Vokeys to the SM4 and found that my spin control improved.  No more "excess" backspin.  The new Vokeys SM4 grooves are right up against the USGA limits for size (width, depth, radius on the actual groove edges, etc.) so they are the "maximum legal spin", which, at least to me, is LESS than any previous Vokey.  Still think you should give them a try.  Vokeys are the best wedges. 

  7. Leonard J

    Leonard J

    Joe check your ball position, you might have it to far back in your stance, therefore hitting down on your ball to much. Try moving it up in your stance a couple of inches left of center, this will cause you to hit a little higher on your ball thru impact and cause less spin. You could also have your hands to steep at impact causing more backspin, if that the case, let your hands come thru a little shallow or lest cocked. Hope this helps.

  8. Matt S

    Matt S
    Worthington, OH

    Hit the ball lower and force it to skip...
  9. Brent W

    Brent W
    St George, UT

    One other thing to think about  is the greens themselves. I have played on firm greens and they are so much easier to chip and pitch on too. The greens at our course are soft and you just don't know if it is going to release or bite.

    One thing to be careful of is if you try keeping the ball down by placing it back in your stance and being more aggressive you are putting more spin on the ball. Try taking a 9 iron or even an 8 iron and using a more arms only swing.

    I hate Soft greens..

    I would think the older Vokeys have the most grooves then the sm4 and then the CC has the least amount..

  10. Christopher B

    Christopher B
    Livermore, CA

    Joe, lots of tips here on shot-making or purchasing more and more clubs! I would suggest an NXT Tour or NXT ball with the same clubs you have. Whenever I play poa greens and/or ones really soft, I bag the ProV and switch to a harder shelled ball - it is the easiest thing to change.  Many of these balls, are starting to feel better with the putter along with less spin-effect. You may find you like the feel with the putter (still different but not much on the NXT Tour) but better shots to the greens during soft conditions. I always keep a couple of sleeves on hand for the "rainy days". Ball selection can be made the day of your round while clubs fit to your game take weeks...

  11. Brent W

    Brent W
    St George, UT

    Hey that's what I said!  :)

    I agree, however I still have not done it. I need to try it.

    I bet the new balls behave pretty close to one another. I think I am going to try the Velocity.

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