Aaron Dill, Director of Vokey Player Relations, explains how feedback from the world’s best golfers influences wedge development, the role of spin control in the SM11, and his own journey into one of golf’s most unique jobs.
Aaron Dill, Director of Vokey Player Relations, explains how feedback from the world’s best golfers influences wedge development, the role of spin control in the SM11, and his own journey into one of golf’s most unique jobs.
Aaron Dill believes working with the world’s best golfers is both a privilege and the ultimate research and development opportunity.
As Director of Vokey Player Relations, Dill spends his time gathering feedback from PGA Tour players and helping translate those insights into future wedge designs. Speaking about the development of the Vokey SM11, he explained that while many ideas never make it beyond the drawing board, the most valuable innovations come directly from what players ask for.
“The tour is telling us we need you to focus on spin, trajectory, shapes, feels, materials,” Dill said. “So, for us to put that all in a package that makes perfect sense, and not change the foundation of what really works today, is a really cool thing.”
One of the biggest themes behind the SM11 was spin control. According to Dill, players wanted greater consistency, particularly with stronger lofted wedges, while maintaining the feel and performance they already trusted.
He recalled conversations with Cameron Young, who wanted to reduce excessive spin on certain shots without fundamentally changing the characteristics of his wedges. That feedback became part of the wider development process as the Vokey team explored ways to manage spin better and give players more control.
For Dill, one of the most rewarding moments comes when new wedges are finally put into players’ hands ahead of their official launch.
Hearing comments about feel, flight and spin gives the team confidence that months of development have achieved their goal.
Dill also reflected on his own journey into the role. Introduced to golf through time spent with his father, he admitted his career could easily have taken a different direction, with culinary school also on the table before golf became his calling.
That decision led to a phone call in 2007 inviting him to work on Tour, an opportunity he describes as once in a lifetime. Learning alongside Bob Vokey, he dedicated himself to mastering the craft of short-game performance, a journey that continues today.
