When it comes to wedges, Titleist is a reputable brand that can offer high-quality clubs for a reasonable price. Their SM7 and SM8 wedges may seem quite similar, but you should know a couple important differences before choosing between them.
The SM7 wedge is cheaper than the SM8 but provides less forgiveness. The SM7 can give you more spin, but the SM8 has a higher moment of inertia (MOI) rating, making it more forgiving to different skill levels and swings.
Let’s further break down these differences.
SM7 Vs. SM8: What’s the Difference?
| Detail | SM7 | SM8 |
| Price | Around $100 | Around $130 |
| Spin | Maximum | Average |
| Forgiveness | Average | Maximum |
| Versatility | Average | Maximum |
| MOI Rating | Low | High |
The Titleist SM7 and SM8 wedges may not seem like they have significant contrasts upon first glance. Nevertheless, they have some distinct differences that affect your overall gameplay, so it’s best to familiarize yourself with both before heading out to the greens.
SM7
The SM7 wedge is cheaper than the SM8, which makes it an excellent option for golfers on a budget. It gives players a good amount of distance, control, and maximum spin. Spin can help give you better control of where the ball lands and how much it travels after it bounces, which is vital while using a wedge as we often choose it to get the ball safely on the green.
The SM7 does not have a lot of forgiveness, which can become very important when you are in the rough or trying to find the pin. However, if you can land on the green, the spin in this wedge can help you stay on the flat and not roll off. When choosing your club, consider if spin or forgiveness would better help your game.
Besides the spin and more basic features that you can find in similar wedges, there isn’t much that sets the SM7 wedge apart from the SM8 besides the price.
So, if you need a simple wedge to help you learn to control your spin for a reasonable price, this is the wedge for you.
SM8
The Titleist SM8 wedge provides more features for controlling the ball but for a higher price. While it’s still relatively affordable, you should expect to pay more if you choose the SM8. The largest difference between the two is that the SM8 will not give you as much spin as the SM7 wedge, but this club can give you plenty of forgiveness.
This wedge has a higher moment of inertia, or MOI, than the SM7, meaning that the head of this wedge better resists turning as you swing it. The more resistance the club head has to turn, the higher the MOI rating and the more forgiving the club.
Forgiveness can come in many forms depending on the club, but forgiveness in a wedge can make it much easier for you to get out of a challenging situation and land on the green. So, consider the SM8 if you don’t mind less spin and prefer to focus on a more controlled swing with your wedge.
Final Thoughts
Both the Titleist SM7 and SM8 are reliable options for your next wedge, but the SM7 can save you money if you don’t have a strong preference between the features. There aren’t many differences between these wedges, but you should consider whether spin or forgiveness is more important to you before deciding which wedge to purchase.