M Grind Vs S Grind – How To Choose
Are you trying to decide between an M and S grind wedge? If so, you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we’ll discuss the differences between M and S grind wedges, explain who should use each type of wedge, provide advice on how much bounce a wedge should have, as well as list some of the best options for both types.
Whether you’re looking for a budget option or just want something that will help your game, this article has got you covered.
So let’s get started!
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TOP pick
Titleist Vokey SM9
- Wedges with loft angles from 46 to 62 degrees.
- A wide range of bounce and grind options.
- Played on major tours around the world.
- Choose from Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel, Jet Black or Raw finishes.
- A huge choice of customization options including stamping, ferrules, shafts and grips
Difference Between S Grind and M Grind
Vokey SM9 wedges have six distinct grinds: (M, S, D, F, L and K) In this article I’ll be comparing the M grind and the S grind. Both types of grind offer shot versatility, but they do so in different ways.
The M grind is like a Jack-of-all-trades whereas the S grind is more specialized.
The M Grind has a moderate sole width that allows players to hit shots with both partial and full swings. It also provides good turf interaction for consistent contact, making it ideal for all conditions and most swing styles.
The S Grind has a narrower sole width and higher bounce than the M Grind, which can help create spin around the green while still providing excellent turf interaction when needed. It’s great for firmer conditions and sweeper swing styles, allowing players to control their wedge shots better. The S has more material removed around the heel than the M.
What Are The Different Vokey Wedge Grinds
As well as the S and M grind Vokey wedges are available in the following 4 grind options:
- K grind
- L grind
- F grind
- D grind
What Wedge Grinds Do Other Companies Produce?
Callaway Golf has the following grind options on their top-line wedges:
- S grind
- W grind
- C grind
- X grind
- Z grind
Who Is Bob Vokey?
Bob Vokey is regarded as one of the leading wedge design experts in the world. His clubs have been put in play by hundreds of tour players over the years and now wedges that bear his name are some of the most well-respected tools available.
Relationship Between Bounce And Club Face
Remember that if you open the face of your wedge you will be presenting more bounce and conversely if you close the face you will be reducing the bounce. Since bounce is usually considered a good thing you will probably find more success with a slightly open than a slightly closed face when using a wedge.
Who Should Play S Grind Wedges?
If you’re looking for an edge in your short game, this is the ideal wedge for you. It provides exceptional spin and control around the green. You’ll be able to hit shots with precision from any lie, giving you confidence on those tight lies and tricky greenside shots.
This grind is ideal for players who like to play with a square face. It is a neutral setup for players who don’t want to manipulate the face of the club. S grind wedges are available only with the 10-degree bounce option in the SM9 range from 54° to 60°.
The S Grind also offers superior turf interaction, so you don’t have to worry about digging too deep into the ground or skimming off too much grass. It is designed for golfers with a steeper attack angle and works well in medium to soft course conditions.
So if you want a reliable wedge that will help improve your short game, then try out a Titleist Vokey SM9 with an S Grind today!
Who Should Play M Grind Wedges?
The M grind is available on wedges from 54° to 62° with 8 degrees of bounce. It is designed to work best for players with a shallow angle of attack and is great in medium to firm conditions.
It’s important to get the right wedge bounce and grind to suit the turf conditions you normally play in and the type of swing you possess. Taking advantage of a wedge fitting is a great way to make sure you have the ideal combination of wedges to get the golf ball nearer to the hole.
How Much Bounce Should A Wedge Have
Bounce is the angle between the leading edge and the lowest point of the sole of the club or trailing edge and the more you have the better usually!
Choosing the right amount of bounce in your wedge can make a big difference. Amateur golfers tend to have less bounce on their wedges than they should. Bounce is your friend as it will help prevent you from digging the club into the ground causing fat shots.
Wedges designed for bunkers or soft turf conditions will usually have the highest bounce. Golfers on tour might tend to prefer low bounce wedges but in general, the ordinary golfer would be better off selecting a wedge with a high bounce angle.
Best S Grind Wedges
If you’re looking for the best S Grind wedges, then look no further than the Vokey SM9 and Callaway Jaws MD5. These clubs are designed to have maximum spin control and offer a great combination of feel and performance. They also provide excellent levels of versatility, making them perfect for golfers who like to play a variety of shots around the greens.
TOP pick
Titleist Vokey SM9
- Wedges with loft angles from 46 to 62 degrees.
- A wide range of bounce and grind options.
- Played on major tours around the world.
- Choose from Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel, Jet Black or Raw finishes.
- A huge choice of customization options including stamping, ferrules, shafts and grips
Vokey SM9
Get the ultimate shot versatility you need for flawless contact with Titleist’s Vokey SM9 Tour Chrome Wedge. The wedge comes in a chrome finish, with a right-hand orientation and 56-degree loft angle with 8-degree bounce and an S grind. It comes with steel shafts as standard
The club features grooves cut to the edge for maximum spin, as well as localized heat treatment applied to the impact area for double durability of the groove. With this club, you can achieve precise distance control and trajectory control for a more controlled ball flight and solid contact.
The Vokey wedge also provides enhanced creativity when it comes to shots due to Bob Vokey’s grind application, allowing you to find the right grind that suits your swing type perfectly. It is 100% inspected for utmost quality and performance, making sure every hit goes straight toward your target with accuracy and confidence.
Pros:
- Ultimate Shot Versatility
- Precise Distance & Trajectory Control
- Maximum Spin
- Double Durability Of Groove
- Quality Performance
Cons:
- Very expensive
GREAT ALTERnative
Callaway Jaws MD5
- Precisely shaped by Callaway Chief Designer Roger Cleveland from 8620 mild carbon steel for a beautiful look and extraordinary feel
- Tour-tested W and C grinds updated to make it easy to play a wider variety of greenside shots
- Head shaping progresses from traditional lob and sand wedges to a compact player-preferred design in the gap and pitching wedges
- Stock shaft options include True Temper Tour Issue 115 (steel) and Project X Catalyst 80 (graphite)
- The stock grip is Lamkin’s UTX in black/blue
Callaway Jaws MD5
With its precise head shaping and innovative Jaws grooves, the Callaway Golf MD5 Jaws Wedge offers ultimate versatility so you can find the perfect fit for any greenside shot. This wedge is designed by Chief Designer Roger Cleveland using 8620 mild carbon steel, with two tour-tested grinds (W and C) to provide maximum control on different shots.
The stock shaft options are available in True Temper Tour issue 115 (steel) and Project X Catalyst 80 (graphite). It also comes with a Lambkins UTX black/blue grip for extra comfort.
Product Specs:
- Head shaping varies from traditional lob and sand wedges to compact design in gap and pitching wedges for a seamless transition into iron set
- Stock shaft options: True Temper Tour issue 115 (steel) and Project X Catalyst 80 (graphite)
- Stock grip: Lambkins UTX in black/blue
Pros:
- Precisely shaped by Callaway Chief Designer Roger Cleveland using 8620 mild carbon steel
- New tour tested w and C grinds for versatility on different greenside shots
- Jaws groove designs with sharp edge radius and groove-in-groove technology for more spin control
Cons:
- Expensive
Best M Grind Wedges
If you’re looking for a great wedge with an M grind, two popular options are Vokey’s SM9 and Callaway’s Jaws MD5. Both wedges offer excellent spin control and shot versatility, allowing you to tailor your shots to the situation.
With the SM9, you get tour-proven performance with classic looks, while the MD5 offers a more modern design that can help you shape shots with ease.
top pick
Titleist Vokey SM9
- Bob Vokey’s six tour-proven grinds offer maximum creativity, versatility and consistency
- SM9 Wedges feature a progressive Center of Gravity, precise distance and trajectory control
- Maximum spin achieved with grooves cut to the edge and localized heat treatment applied to the impact area
- Tour Proven Wedge Grinds provide flawless contact
- Industry-leading optionality with customizable shafts, grips, paint fill colors and personalized hand stamping and toe engraving
Vokey SM9
Get ready to hit the green like a pro with the Vokey SM9 wedge. It offers ultimate shot versatility, precise distance and trajectory control, maximum spin, and Bob Vokey’s creative edge. The 56.08M model gives you the perfect angle for getting close to the pin on approach shots or from bunkers.
This right-handed club is made from steel and chrome with a Tour Chrome finish to give you that classic look on the course. Featuring Titleist’s forward center of gravity (CG) design for more consistent ball flight and solid contact, plus new grooves cut to the edge for increased spin, this wedge provides everything you need in one package.
The SM9 materials represent Titleist’s most technologically advanced design tuned for lower flight and higher spin. It also features localized heat treatment that doubles groove durability ensuring quality performance every time you step up to take your shot. Whether it’s an open or closed face bunker shot or a 50-yard pitch over water hazards – no matter what kind of situation you find yourself in, you can rely on the Vokey SM9 to get out of it with confidence!
A worthy successor to the previous Vokey wedge lineup.
Pros:
- Forward Center of Gravity (CG) helps promote a controlled ball flight and solid contact
- Maximum Spin from new grooves cut to the edge
- Localized heat treatment applied to impact area doubles groove durability
Cons:
- Very Expensive
GREAT ALTERnative
Callaway Jaws MD5
- Precisely shaped by Callaway Chief Designer Roger Cleveland from 8620 mild carbon steel for a beautiful look and extraordinary feel
- Tour-tested W and C grinds updated to make it easy to play a wider variety of greenside shots
- Head shaping progresses from traditional lob and sand wedges to a compact player-preferred design in the gap and pitching wedges
- Stock shaft options include True Temper Tour Issue 115 (steel) and Project X Catalyst 80 (graphite)
- The stock grip is Lamkin’s UTX in black/blue
Callaway Jaws MD5
You’ve already seen the impressive features of the Vokey SM9 wedge, but now let’s take a look at Callaway’s Jaws MD5. The Callaway Jaws MD5 is designed using 8620 mild carbon steel for an extraordinary feel and beautiful look. It makes playing a variety of greenside shots easier than ever before with its new tour-tested W and C grinds.
The head shape progresses from traditionally shaped lob and sand wedges to a compact player-preferred design in the gap and pitching wedges so you can transition seamlessly into your iron set. It also comes with two stock shaft options: True Temper Tour issue 115 (steel) or Project X Catalyst 80 (graphite). Additionally, this club has Jaws groove designs that provide more spin for precise control.
Product Specs:
- Head Shaping progresses from traditionally shaped lob/sand wedges to a compact player-preferred design in the gap/pitching wedges
- Stock Shaft Options are True Temper Tour Issue 115(Steel) & Project X Catalyst 80 (Graphite)
- Stock Grip is Lamkin UTX in black/blue
- Jaws Groove Design incorporates an extremely sharp edge radius & groove-in-groove technology to impart more spin for precise control
Pros:
- Designed using 8620 mild carbon steel for a beautiful look & extraordinary feel
- New tour-tested W & C grinds to make it easy to play a wider variety of greenside shots
- Seamless transition into an iron set due to head shaping progressing from traditionally shaped lob/sand wedges to a compact player-preferred design
Cons:
- Expensive
Budget Wedge Options
If you’re looking for budget wedge options, look no further than the Lazrus Forged Wedge Set, Bombtech Wedge Set, or Kirkland Signature Wedge Set. Any of these sets would be a great addition to both a beginner’s bag or a more experienced golfer looking to replace their worn-out wedges. While they don’t have the brand cachet of the big boys they also don’t carry their price tag either. If you are able to forego bounce and grind options and accept three standard lofts then you will be looking at a huge saving.
The Lazrus set offers great performance and a classic design at an affordable price.
The Bombtech Wedges provide excellent spin and accuracy without breaking the bank.
Finally, the Kirkland Signature Wedges offer good quality at a very reasonable cost.
GREAT BUDGET OPTION
Lazrus Forged Wedge Set
- Set of 3 wedges with loft angles of 52, 56, and 60 degrees.
- The wedges have a micro-milled face for more spin and are made with forged steel.
- The wedges are available in different sizes and styles, including right-handed and left-handed options.
- The product has received overwhelmingly positive customer reviews
- The wedges are designed for everyday golfers and offer pro-quality performance at a more affordable price compared to big-name brands.
Lazrus Forged Wedge Set
Experience the ultimate in control and spin with Lazrus’ Forged Wedge Set, perfect for golfers of all levels! This premium product includes three wedges—52, 56, and 60 degrees—all forged with a milled face. They’re perfect for weekend warriors as well as pro golfers. You’ll get great spin, control, and consistency from these clubs. Plus, you won’t have to break the bank to buy them.
Pros:
- Great spin, control and consistency
- Perfect for all skill levels
- Pro quality without the price
- 100% risk-free purchase
- Highly rated by customers
Cons:
- No indication of bounce angle
- Grips seem a little thin
- Coating fades quickly
- Black finish wears down pretty quickly but purely cosmetic
GREAT BUDGET OPTION
Bombtech Wedge Set
- BombTech Premium Golf Wedge Set consisting of 52, 56, and 60-degree wedges.
- The wedges have a max groove design for increased spin and optimal spin control.
- They are easy to hit from anywhere, with a micro-milled face providing excellent spin, control, and consistency from fairway or rough.
- The black wedges are slightly oversized, offering forgiveness and making bad shots look good.
- The set includes three wedges with different lofts and bounces (52 degrees with 12 degree bounce, 56 degrees with 10 degree bounce, and 60 degrees with 8 degree bounce).
Bombtech Wedge Set
BombTech’s wedge set offers premium quality and performance at a fraction of the cost of major manufacturers like Callaway and TaylorMade. It provides unparalleled forgiveness, spin, control, and consistency to golfers of all levels. The complete set includes three wedges with a 52-degree loft and 12 bounce, a 56-degree loft and 10 bounce, as well as a 60-degree loft and 8 bounce for maximum performance in any situation.
These wedges make it easy to hit from anywhere while the max legal groove depth provides increased spin. The micro-milled face gives you great spin, control, and consistency from both fairway or rough. With its black finish, this wedge set looks sleek and professional for any golfer.
The BombTech Wedge Set is designed for men with regular flex steel shafts. The grips do seem slightly thin so you might want to replace them but even so these are great value. The heads are similar to hi-toe wedges, which makes them easy to use around the greens, while the max groove design allows for more spin and control when hitting shots.
Product Specs:
- Complete set of three wedges: 52° loft & 12° bounce; 56° loft & 10° bounce; 60° loft & 8° bounce
- Heavier weights for maximum control & feel
- Max legal groove depth for increased spin
- Micro-milled face provides great spin, control & consistency
Pros:
- Easy to hit from anywhere
- Sleek design & professional look
- Includes 3 different lofts & bounces
- Max forgiveness & optimal spin
Cons:
- Grips seem a little thin
GREAT BUDGET OPTION
Kirkland Signature Wedge Set
Looking for a value-for-money set of wedges. Then these Kirkland wedges could be the answer.
With lofts of 52, 56 and 60 degrees they feature True Temper wedge flex shafts.
Get 3 wedges for the price of 1 from major golf manufacturers.
Kirkland Signature Wedge Set
For about the same price as one Vokey wedge, you can get Kirkland Signature’s 3-piece wedge set! The set features milled face technology and a True Temper wedge flex shaft that will give you maximum spin and control. With one 52° gap wedge, one 56° sand wedge, and one 60° lob wedge in hand, you’ll feel like a pro as you hit every shot with precision and accuracy.
These wedges seem to be well received by all in terms of performance including the top golf YouTuber Rick Shiels:
If you are new to golf or fed up with paying sky-high prices then you should probably check them out using the link above or at your local Costco.
Product Specs:
- Right-Handed 3-Piece Set
- Wedge Flex Shaft by True Temper
- Milled Face Technology
- 1- 52° Gap Wedge, 1- 56° Sand Wedge, 1- 60° Lob Wedge
- Golf Club Flex: Regular
- Hand Orientation: Right
Pros:
- Premium milled face technology increases spin and control
- True Temper flex shaft offers superior performance
- Sleek silver color adds style
- Lower price compared to other sets on the market (3 wedges for the price of 1 premium wedge)
Cons:
- No bounce, lie, loft or grip customization is available
M Grind Vs S Grind: Conclusion
You’ve weighed the pros and cons of both S Grind and M Grind wedges, and now it’s time to decide which is best for you.
If you’re a beginner golfer or looking for more versatility in your shots, an S Grind wedge is ideal because it gives you plenty of bounce. Of course, we are only dealing with relatively high lofted wedges here so you may or may not use them for full shots.
Whichever wedge you choose, make sure it has enough bounce to suit your needs.
If a Vokey wedge seems a little expensive then there are some options to suit smaller budgets.
With the right club in hand, you’ll be ready to ace every hole!
TOP pick
Titleist Vokey SM9
- Wedges with loft angles from 46 to 62 degrees.
- A wide range of bounce and grind options.
- Played on major tours around the world.
- Choose from Tour Chrome, Brushed Steel, Jet Black or Raw finishes.
- A huge choice of customization options including stamping, ferrules, shafts and grips
Here is a comparison of S Grind and W Grind.
