BOUNCE
Bounce is the design that your wedges have to provide you with the ability to steer through turf and sand and allow a smoother exit. The higher the bounce in degrees, the more the leading edge is off the ground at address. I’m sure you’ve heard about it, but what is all the bounce about? Even now, with club manufacturers repackaging their wedges with different “grinds” the variables are almost too much to choose from. I hope to settle that in today’s read.
So, if you’re a golfer that does this:
- Plays on firm turf conditions,
- Plays in hard bunkers where the sand is packed,
- Like to hit flop shots near the green instead of chipping,
- Like to sweep through the ball in your swing,
then you want a low bounce wedge. 4° to 6° bounce is enough for you to use and play well with.
If you’re a golfer that does this:
- Plays on normal turf conditions, meaning your feet give into the fairway some when you walk,
- Plays in normal sand conditions where the sand will move when stepped on,
- Like to hit a variety of medium to high pitch shots,
- Like a moderate attack angle to the ball,
then you want a medium bounce of 7° to 10° bounce. These are common for most golfers for good trajectory and precision around the green.
And if you’re a golfer that does this:
- Plays in soft turf conditions, where the ball can easily plug on a fairway from a tee shot,
- Plays in soft sand conditions where the wind can make the sand stir up
- Plays on a course with higher grass conditions in fairway and rough
- Like to have a steep attack angle to the ball,
then you need to play a high bounce wedge of 10° or more.
As wedges are not necessarily full swing clubs, there literally is not a right or wrong answer, only that you use the clubs that best suits your needs. Consider the course that you are going to play and its conditions, and if you apply a change to your wedges based on the criteria above, it will benefit you.
Now there are certain manufacturers as I mentioned that have C, S, F, D, K, L, M, N, O, P grinds out there. Read what the manufacturer’s claims are and see if their criteria match your wedge game. Do not change your swing to match the club. Choose the club that matches your swing. Here are all of the major manufacturers wedge websites to assist. It’s not about brand, it’s about benefits. Cheaper does not mean it cannot perform.
Titleist Cobra Callaway Ping Taylormade PXG Mizuno Cleveland Wilson Kirkland Signature Lazrus Bombtech Smithworks Maltby Alien Golf
-David