Bob Vokey recreates his original M Grind in a run of 1,000 pieces, finished in a color I spent the better part of five years asking for.
The good news is that Slate Blue is back in the Vokey wedge line. The bad news is that quantities are limited and scarcity (by design or otherwise) commands a pretty penny (blue). It’s not exactly what I had in mind when I asked (or asked) politely for Slate Blue to return to training, but, for now, we’ll call it a good start.
At the beginning of this year, in my story SM11I asked if anyone had Bob Vokey’s number. Apparently, someone did.
Slate Blue: The Long Way Back
Slate Blue debuted in a limited edition WedgeWorks T Grind in 2018 and joined the SM7 line in 2019. It returned for the SM8 and then, without a proper goodbye, was gone.
SM9 has come and gone. No Slate Blue. SM10 gave us Nickel, which is, at the risk of stating the obvious, not blue. SM11 arrived this year with Tour Chrome, Nickel, and an enhanced Jet Black. Still no Slate Blue.
On the way I threatened to change my name to Tony Slateblue, asked to speak to the manager and suggested that the only way to get a Slate Blue wedge from Vokey was to be Australian. I’m not even Australian. Yet, here we are.
To be clear, no one is suggesting that they are the reason Slate Blue is back. I’m just saying I’ve been right about this for a long time and I’d like to point it out for the record. It is, as always, the Best Finish.
So, yes, whether I am directly responsible for the return or not, you are welcome. To be clear, the price was not my idea.
The original M Grind
As for the wedge under Slate Blue, the Vokey Signature 60M is a recreation of Bob Vokey’s first M Grind, the one that became a PGA Tour favorite nearly 30 years ago and, by Vokey’s own account, “started it all.”
The backstory goes like this. When Vokey started working with PGA Tour players, most were playing full-sole wedges. The only custom grinds were quite basic: take some material from the heel, remove the trailing edge or reduce bounce in the toe. Vokey’s insight was to combine all three into a single wedge. The result was a crescent-shaped sole that became the M Grind.
UM Grind quickly gained momentum. As Vokey said, one player gets a wedge and the next guy comes up and asks for one just like his friend’s. Over time, the M spawned many of the grinds in the current line, including the D Grind (added forward bumps to reduce digging) and the T Grind (a narrow, low sole that allows the leading edge to sit almost below the ground).
“I think M Grind is Bob’s best work,” said Vokey Tour Rep Aaron Dill. “It gives you the best of both worlds. It has the bounce you need to hit square face shots and a shape that allows you to open the face around the green.”
The Signature 60M combines the original M Grind profile, sole dimensions and shape with modern SM11 technology. It is offered only in 60 degrees.
Vokey Signature 60M pricing and availability
That’s where the fun stops, at least a little. The Vokey Signature 60M wedge retails for $399. That’s roughly double the price of an SM11 and a good portion of the premium goes toward signature details including a bag tag that designates it as one of only 1,000 available worldwide.
It is what it is…for now.
The stock specification is a Project X wedge with a BV Signature Series shaft band and a Golf Pride BCT Cord grip bearing Vokey’s initials.
Yes, the price is high and, yes, the quantities are low. The former does not make up for the latter. My guess is that these will sell out before your rage subsides.
The Vokey Signature 60M wedge is available now worldwide.
For more information, visit Vokey.com.
The place Vokey Signature limited edition 60M Wedge marks the return of Slate Blue appeared first MyGolfSpy.
