Vokey F/K grinds in bunker

While the F & K do not have the extra toe, heel, and back grinding of some of the other models, the methodology for hitting a bunker shot should not change. Sand conditions and a person's tendencies should factor in to your selection and the versatility of how you use the club with other shot conditions like thick rough or tightly mowed areas around the greens. F & K will help a person who struggles with digging into the sand too much and opening the blade will help even more. A plugged lie or hard, wet sand will dictate squaring the blade to avoid having the club bounce up into the ball. That is the same for any wedge, just more of an issue with the greater bounce surface you get on these two grinds. Hope this helps.

I changed my greenside bunker technique last year to make it more simple. I basically made it more like pitching the ball but with a wider stance and hitting the sand behind the ball. I changed my stance on chipping/pitching to almost square a couple of years ago and felt like all of the specific greenside bunker adjustments with the really open stance and open face were overcomplicating things.

I picked up a 58 degree K grind for greenside bunkers (my primary club around the greens is a 56M). I open the face a little but not as much as I used to and on longer shots I may square it. If I need to get some height then I will open it more.

In summary, I simplified my technique and let the club (with more bounce) do the work.

Thanks for this insight. Why the 58 K and not the 60 K as I'm considering the new SM9 one released.

In general, the higher the loft, the more skilled one needs to be. Less than ideal contact can result in the ball riding up the face and not carrying as far as intended.

My success with a 60 degree wedge is like “a box of chocolates”. I have a 58 and only use it from deep bunkers or if a lob shot over a bunker is the only way to hold a green. Your results may vary.

I like K grind. I don't do the cut shot thing where you open the face and swing along your feet. For me it is a tendency to go "over the top." It's much easier for me to set up like a pitch shot in the bunker. If it is firm I play back in the stance. Soft more forward. I open my stance if I want to make the ball go higher. Kind of old school. Same thing: 2" behind the ball.

I'm interested in picking up a K grind specifically to assist me in greenside bunkers, currently struggling with my 58 8 SM7 M Grind getting it out in soft conditions. It's a great club from the fairway 90 yards into the green, but not so much in the traps. I do carry a 54 10 S & a 50 12. Thinking about picking up the SM9 60 14 K...any suggestions are appreciated.

56.10S is a good standard sand wedge for the average golfer based on working with the Titleist reps and the products specialists when we are doing events.

I might also add... I'm F&K'd every time I get in a bunker.

My results are similar. Will be using current wedges - SM8 has 12 week build time with S200 DG shafts. Not sure how that will be impacted by SM9.
LH wedges are not a retail stock item.

Oh Dale.....nobody in the forum reads between the lines quite like you!

Come to think of it, some days I’m F&K’d in the rough around the greens too.