At the Genesis Invitational, Titleist Vokey Tour representatives addressed unique challenges posed by Riviera Country Club's Kikuyu grass and wet conditions, adjusting players' SM11 wedges for optimal performance. Reps like Aaron Dill and Shane Dyel emphasized adapting sole grinds to maintain ideal strike points amid the moisture. These tweaks highlight the versatility of the new SM11 line, as seen in fittings and on-course changes.
The Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club presented golfers with Kikuyu grass around the greens, a stiff strain that grows in a crossing, weaving pattern unlike typical upright grasses. Combined with heavy rainfall leaving the course soaked, this setup complicated wedge play, particularly spin and strike location. Vokey Tour rep Aaron Dill noted in a social media video that the moisture influences spin and shifts strikes around the face. Shane Dyel added that the grass provides a teed-up lie but pushes the contact point higher on the face, reducing speed, decreasing spin, and increasing launch height.
To counter this, Vokey reps guided players toward soles that return strikes to the optimal grooves 2-5 at the bottom of the face. For those using narrow, low-bounce T- or L-grinds, suggestions included the more versatile M grind or wider options like K* for higher, softer launches with maintained spin. Marco Penge made a switch, replacing his 60-degree SM11 with a narrow .04T-grind for a wider K*-grind lob wedge. Other players, such as Justin Thomas with T/K* and Ludvig Aberg with L/V, carry multiple lob wedges for varying conditions.
Fittings underscore the SM11's design advantages. In sessions at the Titleist Performance Institute, fitters like Brandon and Aaron Dill used blind testing and targeted shots—full swings, bunkers, chips, and 40-yard pitches—to select grinds. Jake Morrow ended with a 46-degree higher bounce, 50-degree match, 56-degree D grind, and 60-degree M grind, prioritizing versatility for his steep attack. Johnny Wunder's set—44.10F, 50.08F, 54.12D, 58.08M—delivered lower launches and higher spin versus his prior SM10 wedges, with numbers showing gains like 21-degree launch and 9350 RPM on the 44-degree. The consistent center of gravity in SM11 aids all lofts in achieving these strikes, even for higher handicaps.
Dill stressed that proper fitting makes ideal contact accessible to any player, enhancing control from 130 yards in. SM11 wedges are available at retailers like PGA Tour Superstore, where in-store testing can replicate key shots.