Golfing News & Blog Articles

titleist vokey forged wedge 2025

2025 Titleist Japan Only Vokey Forged Wedge

This is the new Vokey Forged Wedge from Titleist Japan. Every couple of years, Titleist Japan releases a new forged wedge, and unlike the ones available in the U.S., this version is forged. The U.S. models are cast, which still perform well, but this forged version offers something a little different. A lot of players really like that softer feel.

To clarify, this isn’t a traditional one-piece forged head. Titleist uses the term “Co-Forged,” which means there are internal design features like toe-side weighting and subtle internal cavities. These adjustments help raise the MOI and position the center of gravity in a way that promotes more consistent and accurate shots.

Compared to the SM10, this wedge is more forgiving, especially for everyday players. I tend to prefer slightly larger wedges myself. That’s why I’ve liked models like the Bridgestone Bite Spin. These new Vokey Forged wedges aren’t as large, but they still give me a solid sense of control. They feel a bit more stable at impact than smaller, tour-style wedges.

New Look, New Shape

As Scottie Scheffler strolled around with the Claret Jug after his dominant Open win, one little-known detail caught his eye.

The post 1 little-known Claret Jug detail caught Scottie Scheffler’s eye appeared first on Golf.

What's next for Scottie Scheffler? Who are the locks for Bethpage, and who has work to do? Following The Open, we look ahead to the rest of the 2025 golf season.

CBS Golf broadcaster Ian Baker-Finch announced his retirement from the network on Tuesday after 19 years in the booth.

The post CBS Golf broadcaster Ian Baker-Finch announces retirement appeared first on Golf.

The 2031 Ryder Cup venue has been announced for Spain. Here are six things you should know about the host site, Camiral.

The post New Ryder Cup venue announced — 6 things you should know appeared first on Golf.

Tiger Woods' Sun Day Red brand has launched its first spikeless golf-shoe model with the Sun Day Red Osprey.

The post Tiger Woods’ Sun Day Red launches its most comfortable golf shoe yet appeared first on Golf.

Apex predator: noun; A predator at the top of a food chain that is not preyed upon by any other animal.

If I asked you to name an apex predator, what would you say? The tiger, lion and wolf would surely make your short list of answers.

But what about the Osprey? Sometimes referred to as the “fish hawk” (or Seahawk, for that matter), the Osprey, like the mighty lion, is an Apex predator at the top of its food chain.

Ospreys have large talons and sharp beaks that they use to tear apart their prey. In other words, Ospreys don’t play with their food.

No nonsense. Kill or be killed.

And just like that, the major season is over.

(For the record, I like when the major season ended in August. It’s over too soon now.)

I would call this a moderately entertaining major season. Rory McIlroy’s historic victory at the Masters was the clear headliner but J.J. Spaun’s frenzied comeback on the back nine of the U.S. Open took second place in terms of theatrics.

As for the PGA Championship and The Open, Scottie Scheffler’s Tiger-like brilliance drained the drama out of those Sundays.

Regardless, it’s time to assess how the game’s best performed in the majors.

We’ve talked about the most forgiving drivers. We’ve covered the most accurate. If you’re simply on a mission to hit it straight, fairway after fairway, no surprises left or right, this list is for you. Using our straight shot percentage data, we’ve identified the 10 straightest drivers of 2025. These drivers produced the most consistently straight ball flights for all testers.

Tour Edge Exotics E725

The Tour Edge Exotics E725 ranks as the straightest driver of 2025, leading all 37 tested drivers in straight shot percentage. It also earned the top spot in the accuracy category, thanks to its ability to keep shots not just in the fairway but in playable territory.

It’s not the longest driver on the list but its consistency and tight dispersion make it ideal for players who prioritize fairways over sheer distance. At a price well below most competitors, it’s also a great value.

PING G440 SFT

The G440 SFT is the most left-biased PING driver in the lineup and that bias shows up in a good way for golfers who struggle with a slice. It was the most accurate driver in the high- and low-swing-speed categories and finished in the top tier for forgiveness as well. PING’s SFT models have always been known for their stability but this one is straight, too.

Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond

Callaway’s Elyte Triple Diamond dominated the 2025 driver test, earning the top overall score. It’s long, accurate and forgiving, which is hard to find in one golf club.

I’ve always noticed that, for the most part, golfers have a good idea of where the golf ball should be positioned for drivers and even the stock 7-iron shot. When it comes to wedges, however, I see a lot more variation.

Some players think the ball should be all the way in the back of the stance because it’s such a different shot than a driver. Others completely ignore how ball position affects their setup, and it’s in a different spot every time.

If you’re struggling with inconsistency in your short game, chunked chips, ballooned pitches and poor spin control, it could be as simple as where the ball sits in your stance. Here’s what you should know about wedge ball position.

Why ball position matters for wedges

Wedge play is all about controlling the low point of your swing.

If your ball is in the wrong place relative to that low point, you’re going to catch it fat, thin or lose spin. That’s because your club’s loft and angle of attack are directly tied to where the ball is in your stance.

Do you have a golf bucket list? Most of us do, but as I’ve aged (now 65 with a bullet), I’m raging against the term. “Bucket list” makes me think of mortality. As I do not plan on going gently into that good night, might I humbly suggest a more upbeat and life-affirming term: the Golfer-Do list?

So today’s question is simple. As we rage, rage, against the dying of the light, should Destination Kohler (better known to you and me as Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run) be on your Golfer-Do list?

And, if so, how high?

If you’re a golfer with a soul, Pebble Beach and St Andrews should be alone at the top of that list. Destination Kohler (we’ll call it Whistling Straits for simplicity) is a notch or two below, along with Bandon, Pinehurst and a few others. It’s not a big drop, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with the quality of golf. Both Pebble and St Andrews carry a magic earned through history. It can’t be replicated but it can be emulated.

Whistling Straits does an admirable job of emulating that feeling (the first thing you want to do on 18 is find DJ’s bunker) and it’s eminently more accessible than Pebble or The Old Course. The question, of course, is value.

The 8-iron and 9-iron are often considered your true short irons but we’ve included the pitching wedge here as well since many golfers use it as a full-swing club. If you’re looking for more detailed yardage breakdowns on the wedges themselves, check out our wedge distance chart.

With short irons, precision matters more than pure distance. These are scoring clubs. But if you’re consistently coming up short with your short irons, it could be a sign that your grooves are worn down or that the club isn’t the right fit anymore.

Shot Scope provided updated distance performance averages based on handicap, which filter out mishits and reflect a solid strike. Take a look at the numbers below.

25 handicap

At the 25-handicap level, short irons are used for approach shots and even chip-and-run attempts. Swing inconsistencies and worn grooves can lead to unpredictable distance control. Many players don’t see consistent gapping between their 9-iron and pitching wedge at this level.

20 handicap

At this point, players should start seeing more reliable gaps between short irons. If you’re not, it might be due to a poor fit in shaft flex or club loft. Try using a launch monitor to check your spin and launch angle. Low spin often means you’re not getting full carry distance.

What do you do when a playing partner's ball collides with yours, but comes to rest in the same spot where your ball must be replaced?

The post Rules Guy: Who goes first when 2 balls collide and must be played from the same spot? appeared first on Golf.

The best of a special week at Royal Portrush

The final men's major of the year was particularly memorable for the little things — including these 10 Open Championship specials.

The post 10 Open sights, sounds, gripes and joys from Portrush | Monday Finish appeared first on Golf.

Bethpage Black is one of American golf’s most beloved munis. It is also one of the funkiest. Here's how a Ryder Cup is changing things.

The post 2 months from Ryder Cup, Bethpage Black undergoing bold transition appeared first on Golf.

Scottie Scheffler. Rory McIlroy. Haotong Li. And a pint of the black stuff. And more. Here are 50 thoughts on the Open Championship week.

The post Scottie, Rory, Haotong and a black stuff pint: 50 thoughts from the Open appeared first on Golf.

From Oahu to Maui, swing through Hawaii’s best courses—perfect for your next tee time or island adventure!

The post Top Hawaii Courses worth a shaka appeared first on Golf Blog, Golf Articles | GolfNow.

12-time PGA Tour winner Paul Azinger is the 2025 recipient of the Payne Stewart Award given to a player who shows character and sportsmanship and is committed to charity.

Golf with Mini-Challenges: Fun Ideas to Spice Up Your Rounds

Adding mini-challenges during your golf rounds makes the game more engaging, competitive, and enjoyable. Here are some fun challenge ideas you can incorporate:

1. Closest to the Pin

On every par-3, compete with your group to see who lands their ball closest to the hole. Add a point for each win.

2. Fairway Finder

Award a point to anyone who lands in the fairway on par-4 and par-5 holes. Miss the fairway? No points!

3. No 3-Putt Challenge

The first player to 3-putt loses a point or buys the next round of drinks at the clubhouse.