Vokey SM10 Brushed Steel Wedge

Overview

The Titleist Vokey SM10 wedge arrives as the next evolution of the world's most-played wedge on the PGA Tour. Designed under the same "don't step on the rake" philosophy that has guided every Vokey generation since the legendary SM4, the SM10 makes targeted improvements to the SM9 formula without disrupting the core DNA that has made Bob Vokey's design the benchmark in short game performance.

Released in late 2023, the SM10 is available in four finishes — Tour Chrome, Jet Black, Raw, and the premium Brushed Steel option featured here. The Brushed Steel finish offers a distinctive matte texture that sits visually between the bright Tour Chrome and the stealthy Jet Black, giving players a premium look with subtle glare-reduction at address.

The headline engineering change in the SM10 is the repositioned center of gravity. Vokey engineers moved the CG closer to center (though still heel-side) to reduce draw bias and give players more face control through impact. Additionally, the CG is now progressive by loft — positioned lower in the lower lofts (gap, pitching) and higher in the higher lofts (sand, lob) — to create a more consistent, penetrating trajectory across all wedge lengths.

The second major upgrade is heat-treated Spin Milled grooves. The SM10's grooves undergo an additional thermal process after milling that Titleist says maintains peak spin performance significantly longer than untreated grooves. In independent fitting data, the difference becomes noticeable after 75-100 rounds — historically the point at which SM9 grooves showed meaningful spin loss.

Score Breakdown

Our aggregate analysis gives the Vokey SM10 Brushed Steel Wedge an overall score of 8.9/10:

What People Love

Elite, tour-validated spin performance. The SM10 generates spin numbers that have made Vokey the #1 wedge on the PGA Tour for over a decade. On full shots, pitches, and chips, the SM10 consistently produces top-tier spin that holds greens from mid-range approach distances. Plugged In Golf's review confirmed: "If you can't spin a Tour ball with these wedges, the problem is your technique, not your equipment."

Six purpose-built grinds for every swing. The SM10 offers the largest grind selection in the Vokey lineup: F Grind (full sole, neutral), S Grind (trailing edge relief for shot-making), K Grind (max bounce for bunkers/soft conditions), D Grind (toe/heel/trailing edge relief, high bounce), M Grind (shallow, versatile, face-open players), and T Grind (thin sole for tight lies/firm conditions). A proper fitting session matching your swing attack angle, course conditions, and preferred shot shapes to these six options can transform short-game performance.

Excellent feedback for skill development. The SM10 doesn't deceive you about strike quality. Center contact produces a crisp, satisfying "click." Mishits return a firmer, louder "knock" that immediately communicates off-center impact. This feedback is invaluable for short-game practice, helping golfers understand and correct impact patterns faster than with wedges that muffle strike information.

Heat-treated grooves for durability. The SM10's additional groove treatment is a meaningful practical improvement. High-frequency short-game practicers — who historically wore out SM9 grooves within 1.5-2 seasons — report that SM10 grooves maintain their peak performance measurably longer. Independent fitting consultants report an estimated 25-30% longer groove lifespan versus SM9.

WedgeWorks customization. Through Titleist's WedgeWorks program, SM10 owners can personalize stamps, shaft bands, and finish accents. Flight Line alignment aids (developed by Parker McLachlin) are also available — visual reference points that help set up more consistently at address. For golfers who tend to set hands too far forward or play inconsistent face angles, the Flight Lines offer real practical value.

What People Hate

Premium price per wedge, premium total investment. At $179.99 per wedge, a properly assembled three-wedge setup (gap, sand, lob) runs over $540. This is a significant investment, particularly for recreational golfers who might not extract the full value of elite spin grooves on every shot. Budget-conscious golfers should consider whether the performance advantage justifies the cost versus strong alternatives like the Cleveland CBX ZipCore at $140.

Incremental improvement over SM9. The SM10 is not a revolutionary redesign — existing SM9 owners won't experience a night-and-day performance difference. The improved groove durability and refined CG are real improvements, but if your SM9 grooves are still sharp, there's no urgency to upgrade. The SM10 is the right choice when it's time to replace worn-out SM9s, or for golfers coming from older Vokey or competitor wedges.

Groove wear is inevitable. Even with heat treatment, the SM10's grooves will eventually lose peak spin performance in proportion to usage. High-frequency short-game practice is the fastest path to groove wear. Re-grooving services or replacement cycles should be budgeted for serious golfers who practice daily.

Competitors

Cleveland CBX ZipCore Wedge ($139.99): The best budget alternative for forgiveness-focused players. The CBX ZipCore uses a unique core weighting system to improve MOI compared to standard wedges. For golfers who prioritize forgiveness over maximum spin, it's $40 less per wedge. For serious players who demand elite spin, the SM10 remains superior.

TaylorMade MG4 Wedge ($169.99): TaylorMade's latest Tour-focused wedge competes closely on spin. The MG4 uses SpeedFoam Air in the cavity for improved feel and a slightly more accessible sole design. In head-to-head Trackman testing, the SM10 and MG4 trade spin performance depending on the swing type. Both are Tour-level wedges; the SM10 wins on grind variety.

Callaway Jaws MD5 Wedge ($139.99): Callaway's precision-milled wedge offers aggressive grooves for maximum spin at a lower per-wedge price. Golfers testing both often report similar spin numbers from the SM10 and MD5, with the SM10 winning on feel quality and the MD5 offering value.

Who Should Buy This

The Vokey SM10 Brushed Steel is the right choice for: golfers who play regularly and want the best short game performance money can buy; players who benefit from proper grind fitting and want access to the largest sole option library; anyone whose SM7, SM8, or SM9 grooves are worn smooth; and players who prize exceptional feedback for skill development.

Who Should Skip

Budget-focused golfers who play occasional rounds won't extract the full value from a $180 wedge. Those who don't get properly fit for sole grinds may not choose the right option. Players who want maximum forgiveness should look at the Cleveland CBX ZipCore or other cavity-back wedge designs.

The Bottom Line

The Vokey SM10 Brushed Steel Wedge earns its position as the world's most-played Tour wedge through elite spin, superb feedback, the most comprehensive sole grind selection in the industry, and a distinctive Brushed Steel aesthetic that stands apart from standard finishes. The heat-treated grooves are a meaningful durability upgrade over the SM9. For serious golfers, there is simply no better wedge.

Our Score: 8.9/10