for
- Fantastic levels of spin
- Great track control
- Lots of bouncing and milling options to suit all swings
- Unparalleled appearance
against
- Limited Gains on SM8
- Custom makeup is essential for the best makeup collection
Taylor made mashed 3 slices
for
- high yarn
- Looks great
- A wonderful feeling
- consistent journey
against
- Lube wedges look puffy
- Not everyone will enjoy the rusty look that builds up over time
Titleist Vokey SM9 vs TaylorMade Milled Grind 3 Wedge: Read our verdict head-on
When it comes to the wedge section of your golf bag, it’s critical to find a set that gives you the performance you’re looking for – whether that’s feel, control, versatility, or a little bit of everything. There are many factors when it comes to choosing pegs, such as how much should I carry in my golf bag? Once you’ve decided on the quantity, it’s time to decide what type of milling, rebound, and upper chambers you need; There are actually so many options available that it can be a bit of a minefield!
However, two notable models this year are the Titleist Vokey SM9 and Taylor Made Mill Grind 3, which we rate as one of the best golf wedges on the market. In this comparison, both have been thoroughly tested by Golf Monthly. Which one is more suitable for your needs? We look at performance head-on.
technology
The Vokey SM9 comes in 23 different loft, recoil and milling options ranging from 46 degrees to 62 degrees. One of the biggest aspects of this wedge is the progressive center of gravity (CG) design, which was first introduced in the SM6 but has evolved to provide more control and consistency through the loft range. Specifically in the SM9, the CG has been moved up the face with an increased loft to improve performance from higher strike positions. This was achieved by adding weight to the back of the toe that is not visible in the title, while also increasing the shelf length by means of the loft.
TaylorMade Milled Grind 3 has three soles on offer, with the overall design featuring a more muscular pattern. Like the SM9, you also get plenty of recoil options, with MG3’s Raw Face Technology that will rust over time to increase spin on a range of shots with the help of Raised Micro-Ribs, which are placed between grooves to increase friction. There are also two finishes available – satin chrome and all-black.
look
In the title, you’ll notice that the SM9 has retained the classic Vokey look, something that’s been with us for many years. But most importantly, the SM9 inspires confidence. This is thanks to the traditional formation and the lack of compensation. You could argue that the SM9’s upper and lower pegs have a slightly straighter front edge, which helps with alignment on full shots and transitions from your irons.
Milled Grind 3 also has a very traditional look under the title. MG3s are progressive through the lofts in a variety of ways (shelf length, toe height, blade length, offset), but one thing that is very noticeable is the thin, thick design. This is where the upper part of the toes becomes thicker as the loft increases. This isn’t a new concept, and it makes the lobed wedges look a little bulging.
Feel
Starting with TaylorMade, we felt that the ribbed or ribbed design of the sole really helped the bottom rim slide along the ground a bit more. This will surely satisfy nervous zombies who are looking for a more forgiving touch through the strike. Looking at the recoil options, we noticed that the MG3 only drops to 8 degrees. This means that some proficient golfers who play outside the hard-link ground may struggle to get the required interaction and contact on the grass; However, it is a very small percentage.
The feel of the SM9 was exceptional—soft but not overly, there was a nice crisp feel at the point of impact. The ball remains on the face to help generate spin while providing enough distance on full shots. There wasn’t much between the wedges—they both felt the incredible effect.
performance
Testing TaylorMade on the launch screen indoors with Titleist Pro V1x golf balls, the level of spin it can generate was exceptional. It’s one of the highest quality spinning wedges we’ve tested, which could improve even more if the rust that would build up on the face had any effect. Friction from the face also provides a positive effect on the flight. We found that in our chip shots, a 56-degree wedge appeared like 46 degrees, with the golf ball flying low and then stopping quickly on the second or third bounce. Plus, the shots don’t climb too high on full shots in the wind.
For the Vokey SM9, we found the level of spin to be comparable to the MG3 and the ride was quite consistent, providing confidence as you know you have the stopping power even on low-ground shots. The differences between mills, lofts, and hops are very noticeable—getting the right variances for your angle of attack or your turf can be the difference between clean hits or catastrophic hits. This allows golfers to get creative when the situation calls for it, and it’s arguably a little more so than the MG3, which doesn’t have the options in the only formation or rebound that the SM9 offers.
Which one should you choose
Choose Titleist Vokey SM9 if…
– You are looking for a wedge model that offers a lot of options
You want market-leading control and feel
Money is not an object
Choose TaylorMade Milled Grind 3 if…
Prefer a soft texture?
– You don’t mind a rusty face
– You want a forgiving wedge that will cut your flight