Wedge Bounce Explained

When you're in the market for a new wedge, most players focus on the loft exclusively. There's 2 other factors that play a significant role in how your wedges perform and interact with the turf, the bounce and grind (we'll discuss grind in another post). If you're looking to get the most out of your game, you'll want to consider what works best for you in typical playing conditions and how you can combine various loft, grind, and bounce options to give you the most flexibility on the course.

Technically, "bounce" refers to the angle created between the leading edge of the club and the lowest point of the sole (or trailing edge) of a wedge*. This is the part of the club that makes contact with the ground and plays a significant role in promoting the optional contact and spin. The higher the degree of bounce, the more elevated the leading edge is from the ground when you're setting up at address.

Wedge are generally categorized as low, mid, and high bounce. Low bounce wedges typically have 4°-6° of bounce and are best suited for firmer conditions. If you tend to have a shallow angle of attack and like to strike the ball cleanly, especially playing in dry and firm conditions, you'll enjoy low bounce wedges.

Mid bounce wedges, with a bounce angle ranging from 7° to 10°, are considered the most versatile. They can be used on various turf conditions effectively and are favored by most golfers due to their adaptability across different course conditions. Given their versatility, you'll generally find that they facilitate more creativity by giving players different options around the green.

High bounce wedges (>10° of bounce), are ideal for softer turf conditions and fluffy sand traps. Players with a steeper angle of attack will enjoy the extra bounce that helps keep the club from digging into the turn too much. They also tend to promote spin which can create some interesting shot options in your short game.

If you have the budget, you can mix and match your wedges based on the type of course and conditions you'll be playing in. Regardless, think about the type of shots you typically play (or want to play) around the greens and choose your wedge bounce wisely.

Credit:

*-https://www.vokey.com/explained/wedge-bounce