In response to the imminent new groove regulations designed by the USGA and R&A in an attempt to limit the effectiveness of shots from the rough, Titleist has introduced the newest line of its successful Vokey Design Spin Milled wedges.
The new wedges are appropriately titled C-C wedges, with the initials standing for “Condition of Competition,” a reference to the USGA and R&A adopting a policy that prohibits PGA Tour and top-level amateur players from playing non-conforming irons and wedges after the new regulations take effect on Jan. 1, 2010.
Operating within the new guidelines, the Vokey wedges will provide optimum performance and shot control. The design is a result of an intense collaborative effort between Master Craftsman Bob Vokey, Titleist Golf Club Research & Development and extensive player testing on the PGA Tour.
“The new groove standards will put more pressure on better players’ short games,” said Vokey in a release. “It will be crucial for them to determine the most effective combinations of loft, bounce and sole grinds in their wedge set-ups. There is less room for error when players do not have as much spin as they are accustomed, and they must be much more precise in their execution.”
The new Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C line was developed from a complete set of 17 high performance wedges, spanning nine lofts ranging in two degree increments from 48 to 64 degrees, with multiple bounce options, and special Tour-inspired sole grinds.
The new wedges are available in the most popular non-glare Tour Chrome finish. These options create a comprehensive matrix of wedges to fit the widest possible range of player swing styles and course conditions while providing a full complement of shot and trajectory requirements. Nine of the 17 models will be available in left hand.
Out with the Old, In with the New
Given the USGA & R&A implementation provisions regarding currently conforming pre-2010 grooves, Titleist will produce and sell the new Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C wedges while continuing to offer the comprehensive line of current Vokey Design Spin Milled wedges introduced last fall.
Titleist will manufacture and sell the previous generation “bigger groove” wedges through 2010. While the differences in launch, spin and run-out are player technique, shot type and lie dependent, in general, Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C wedges will produce higher launch, less spin and more run-out than previous generation Spin Milled grooves.
Price and Availability
Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C wedges will be available through authorized Titleist retailers beginning Nov. 1, 2009, with manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $125.
The new Vokey Design Spin Milled Wedges can be identified by “C-C” engraving on the hosel and golf paintfill in the Spin Milled logo (current Spin Milled wedges have red paintfill in the logo).
Spin Milled C-C wedges will also include a face sticker that reads, “This Vokey Design wedge conforms to the new 2010 USGA/R&A groove rule and can be used in events that adopt the new rule as a Condition of Competition.”