Few people on the planet know wedges better than legendary designer Bob Vokey. Throughout his career, he has designed some of golf’s most popular club families with his Vokey Spin Milled (SM) series, and he’s also worked closely with the game’s greatest short game players ever.

In a recent Q&A with GolfWRX, Vokey provided his insight on the latest iteration of SM wedges – the new Titleist Vokey SM9 wedges for 2022. Vokey, who is ever passionate and always gracious with his time to talk short game, also took a moment to answer a few miscellaneous questions about his experiences throughout his decades in the industry.

Vokey has seen it all when it comes to wedge play. He’s worked with everyone from the legends and major champions, to everyday golfers who shank balls sideways on simple chip shots.

With a moment to pick his brain, I wanted to know what the most amazing thing that Vokey has ever seen a golfer do with a wedge. In response, he provided two quick stories of absolute gold, and, given the players involved, his answers should surprise no one.

1) Seve practiced his weaknesses

Seve Ballesteros, a 9-time PGA Tour champion and 50-time European Tour champion, is regarded by many golfers as having the best short game of all time. His other-worldly skill was matched by his confidence and flair for the dramatic, too.

While Seve could make the ball sing and dance on the greens like no other, it was a simple moment that stood out to Vokey, and it says so much about Seve’s true talent and bravado.

“I remember seeing Seve practicing greenside, and he’s hitting all these difficult shots. I said to him, ‘What are you hitting those for?’

“He said, ‘I can make all the other shots. These are the ones I can’t make.'”

It’s such a simple story, but it says so much about Seve’s short game genius and mettle.

2) Lee, the spin master

Most golfers want to spin the ball more with their wedges around the greens. Not only does it look cool when the ball comes running in low and then suddenly stops on a dime, but spin control also allows a golfer to get the ball closer to the pin more often.

And then there’s Lee Trevino.

As Vokey tells it, not only could Trevino impart impressive backspin, but he could control the direction of the spin when it hit the surface, with seemingly no difference in the swing itself.

“Lee Trevino was another. I was watching him at (The Citrus Club at La Quinta Resort) many years ago.

“And he could hit a shot, same motion, same everything, a little bump and run. One shot would land and kick left. Then, with the same motion, same everything, he’d hit another one, then it’d land and kick right. And I’d go, ‘Wait a second, that’s amazing.’ But [those players] could do that. That was back in the balata golf ball days, too. The golf ball’s a little different now, it comes off a little quick.'”

To read Vokey’s insights on the new Vokey SM9 wedges for 2022, click here!