SM10 WedgeWorks K* Grind
The K* Grind is a new addition to the K Grind family based on feedback from some of the best in today’s game.
Today’s tour players continue to seek additional grind options in a forgiving sole. The K* came about to fulfill those players needs by adding some hand ground elements to an existing K Grind
The K* sole started with a Low Bounce K that has hand ground modifications, adding heel-to-toe relief for open face shots and a steeper pre-wear to create a narrow ribbon of added bounce along the leading edge to reduce digging on square face shots. These sole changes allowed players to enjoy added versatility around the green while enjoying the bunker performance they have come to expect from a K Grind.
“Over the last few years some of the best players in the world began testing this grind. It was players like Justin Thomas who were instrumental in helping us identify the right angles and width changes in the sole making it as playable as it is today. The success of this sole has continued to spread, encouraging many around the globe to test and untimely game this new sole configuration.”
The Vokey Design WedgeWorks K* lob wedge, a popular grind on Tour with some of the game’s best players, is now available for the first time through WedgeWorks. The grind is ideal for the player with a neutral to shallow attack angle who plays on a variety of turf conditions.
Like all Vokey Design grinds, K* is a product of the collaboration between Master Craftsman Bob Vokey, Vokey Tour Representative Aaron Dill and the best players in the world. The K* Grind originated from player requests to modify the sole of the popular Low Bounce K Grind lob wedge. Instead of the full, smooth sole of the K Grind, the sole of the K* Grind features a steeper pre-wear on the leading edge along with heel, toe and trailing edge relief.
The steeper pre-wear on K* adds forgiveness from the square-faced position, with a narrow ribbon of added bounce along the leading edge helping to resist excessive digging. In an open-faced position, the heel, toe and trailing edge relief on K* allows the leading edge to sit closer to the ground, adding greenside versatility by helping the player slide under the ball easier. And like all K Grind variations, K* has a wide sole that excels out of the bunker.
Performance across a variety of playing positions and turf conditions is one reason why K* is in the bags of players such as Justin Thomas, Cameron Young and Ludvig Åberg, as well as the 2014 Champion Golfer of the Year.
Every new Vokey Design grind begins with a conversation between the Vokey team and a player. For K*, that first conversation was between Vokey Tour Rep Aaron Dill and Titleist Brand Ambassador Webb Simpson.
“Webb was not one to make many changes to his wedges,” said Dill. “As conditions shifted on tour and we introduced different soles in our line, Webb was motivated to test additional grind options that could offer some forgiveness. This led to Webb in 2015 testing a 60 K Grind, and while this was a great wedge, it still was missing a key element important to him: versatility from tighter lies. Webb and I worked on the sole, adding relief, testing different bounce angles, and ultimately landing on most of the modifications we see today in the K*.”
As time went on, and more of the best players in the world began testing the grind, Dill continued to perfect the sole modifications. Justin Thomas was another player whose feedback was instrumental in helping to identify the specific angles and changes to the original K Grind’s sole, resulting in the finished K* Grind today.
