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what does bounce mean for golf wedges

by Ms. Clara O'Hara Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Wedge bounce is the angle created between the leading edge and the lowest point of the sole or trailing edge. This is the area of the club that hits through the ground as it contacts the ball. The greater the wedge bounce degree, the higher the leading edge is off the surface at address.

Is higher bounce better for wedges?

With a high-bounce angle (10 degrees or higher), the wedge will be less prone to digging through impact, will have more of a bouncing effect in the sand and for most golfers, is an easier club to use than a wedge with low bounce (more on that later.)

What does bounce do on a golf wedge?

Bounce angle is the angle between the ground and the leading edge of the club when the sole is rested on the ground. This is the part of the wedge that hits and moves through the ground when you hit the ball. It's what helps you achieve the proper contact, control, and spin on your wedge shots.

What bounce should a 60 degree wedge have?

What is the best bounce for 60-Degree Wedge? A 5°-8° bounce is considered best for a 60-degree wedge. Bounce refers to the angle formed between the leading edge of the club and the sole (bottom of the club).

Are higher bounce wedges more forgiving?

A high bounce wedge is the best choice for amateur golfers as it generates quite a bit of spin and gives the player better control over 100-yard shots. They tend to be the most forgiving overall, allowing you to improve at a much quicker pace.

What is a good bounce for a 56 degree wedge?

The best bounce for a 56 degree wedge for most golfer is about 12 degrees. This is a versatile number right in between the low end of 8 degrees and the high end of 14 degrees. You can play most courses with a 12 degree bounce sand wedge and enjoy your golf.

Do pros use high or low bounce?

A club that has a bounce of 10° or above is called a high bounce wedge. PGA professionals commonly use low-bounce wedges as it gives them better versatility in their shots, but these have a smaller margin for error.

Is 14 degree bounce too much?

Wedges with a mid bounce angle (10 to 14-degrees) are the best all-around wedges for playability in all types of conditions and all golfers.

Is high bounce better?

If you have a steep angle of attack resulting in deep divots, a higher bounce is recommended. If you are a sweeper resulting in shallow or no divot, low bounce is recommended.

How do I choose the right bounce?

A quick way to decide the proper bounce is to look at the courses you play most frequently. Where you're playing, whether it's soft fairway conditions or it's firm fairway conditions, can dictate how much bounce you have on your wedges. General rule of thumb: Softer conditions = more bounce.

What wedge is best for chipping?

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Do pros use low bounce wedges?

Cleveland said that unlike their predecessors, many of whom favored low-bounce wedges, many of today's PGA Tour pros use wedges with about 12 or 13 degrees of bounce. Opting for sole grinds that remove excess material in the heel, and often in the toe as well, makes their sand wedges and lob wedges more versatile.

What is the easiest wedge to hit?

The easiest wedges to hit are cavity-back wedges like the Cleveland CBX 2 and the Callaway Mack Daddy CB. This style of wedge makes it easier for players to get the ball up in the air quickly, even without making perfect contact.

Is 12 degrees of bounce too much?

Clubs with a bounce of more than 10 degrees are considered "high bounce" wedges, according to Publinks Golfer. Sand wedges and some specialty gap wedges usually have high bounce, making them a good choice for light sand, deep rough or a shaggy fairway.

Is 10 degree bounce good for sand?

Because of its wide sole, lob wedges can be used for high, soft sand shots. Bounce angles of 10 – 13 degrees are preferable.

Is 14 degree bounce too much?

Wedges with a mid bounce angle (10 to 14-degrees) are the best all-around wedges for playability in all types of conditions and all golfers.

What is the best bounce for a 50 degree wedge?

The average bounce for a 50 degree wedge is 5-8°. However, a few specialty wedges offer higher bounces at 12°. This is often the highest bounce that is found on a 50 degree wedge. A bounce of 8° is considered to be good if you're playing on firm courses or with a golf club that has a beveled leading edge.

Why is wedge bounce important?

Ensuring that you have the proper wedge bounce and grind option allows you to control your shots better to get better contact and spin on shots.

What is a mid bounce wedge?

Mid Bounce (7-10°) Mid or medium bounce wedges range between 7° and 10° in the degree. The average golfer who plays different courses throughout the year will likely rely more on these types of wedges because they won’t know the layout of a course, what the turf feels like, or how the sand is in the bunkers.

Why do wedges bounce higher when you close the face?

The more you open up the club face, the higher the wedge bounce will be because the leading edge will be higher off the ground. When you close the face, you will lessen the bounce. Golfers will play with the angles of their club face to spin the ball or get a higher loft on it. Loft, grind and bounce work hand in hand to best suit your short game.

How to get better at golf?

Using your wedges for your approach shots to their fullest capabilities is how you’re going to get better at golf. One way to get the most out of your wedges is to understand how the wedge bounce in your clubs affects your game. Making sure you have the correct bounce on your wedges is just as important as the loft angle.

What is a low bounce golf club?

Low Bounce (4-6°) Low bounce clubs are usually between 4° and 6° and typically work best on courses with a tougher turf and harder and coarser sand in the bunkers. These are harder clubs to hit, but they ultimately can reward you if you strike them well. They are perfect for lob and flop shots around the green.

Why do you need to pop a ball up out of a bunker?

For anyone who may chunk a ball on occasion or likes to dig into popping their ball up out of a greenside bunker, this delivers because it prevents the leading edge from dragging for a while when you’re hitting out of the sand. You’ll typically want a higher bounce in your sand wedge.

Is grind better for swing?

It’s smart to get grinds that work better for your swing, as certain grinds are better for bounce, and others are better for sweeping types of shots that will lift the ball higher. The existence of grind in your clubs also gives you a better look at your shots when you’re staring downward while lining up your approach.

What is a low bounce wedge?

Low bounce wedges are designed for clean ball contact, giving you the precision you need in your short game. For instance, low bounce lob wedges can be used to hit high flop shots off tight lies near the green.

Why use mid bounce wedges?

Players tend to choose mid bounce wedges to create shots around the green, as they help achieve exact distance and trajectory control. This wedge bounce type is the most versatile for more players, and can apply to a wide range of course conditions.

Why is bounce important in golf?

In fact, Bob Vokey says that “Bounce is your friend,” because it provides forgiveness on all wedge shots, allowing you to still strike ...

What is the best bounce for a sand wedge?

The best bounce for your sand wedge depends on your swing type and course conditions. If you have a steep angle of attack resulting in deep divots, a higher bounce is recommended. If you are a sweeper resulting in shallow or no divot, low bounce is recommended.

Is there a one size fits all wedge bounce?

There is not a one-size- fits-all wedge bounce. Every player is different and course conditions change. The only way to get the best performance out of your wedge set is to be properly fit for your swing type. We design the best product possible, and take it to the tour.

Why is wedge bounce important?

Wedge bounce is important to understand, both what it is and how it affects your shots, because the right combination of loft and bounce can make all the difference in your short game.

What is a low bounce wedge?

Low bounce wedges generally have 4°-6° of bounce and are best used on firm turf and bunkers with harder or more coarse sand where the club will tend to skip off the ground on its own. They also are a great fit for golfers with a shallow angle of attack that takes little to no divot on their wedge shots.

What does a divot tell you about wedges?

Your divot can tell you a lot about which wedges you should be playing. Low bounce: Golfers with a shallow angle of attack who take little to no divot. Mid bounce: Very versatile, fits all types of swings but best for golfers with neutral swings and a moderate angle of attack.

What is the best wedge for a high flop?

They are a popular choice for shots from tight lies around the green and are particularly useful when hitting high flop shots. Mid bounce wedges usually feature 7°-12° of bounce and are the most versatile wedges.

What is a gap wedge?

A gap wedge is commonly used from shorter distances where you can make a full swing and not be caught between distance gaps trying to hit partial wedge ...

Why is medium bounce good?

Medium bounce is a good choice for golfers who want to create their shot around the greens because they are made for control. They are made to help golfers hit their exact distance and control the trajectory of the ball.

What is the bounce angle of a golf club?

Bounce angle is the angle between the ground and the leading edge of the club when the sole is rested on the ground. This is the part of the wedge that hits and moves through the ground when you hit the ball. It’s what helps you achieve the proper contact, control, and spin on your wedge shots. The bigger the bounce angle, the higher ...

What is the difference between a low bounce wedge and a high bounce wedge?

The difference between a low bounce and high bounce wedge is minimal. Even so, there is a section between the two, wedges with between 6 and 10 degrees of bounce. Like most pieces of golf equipment that straddle two extremes, these fit the game of the most golfers.

What is the low bounce of a wedge?

These are the hardest to hit and should be reserved for the most talented golfers only. Low bounce for a wedge is between 4 and 6 degrees.

What does higher bounce mean on a wedge?

The more bounce a wedge has—the higher its bounce angle—the better it will resist digging. Another way of saying it: Higher bounce equals smaller, shallower divots . You can also think of bounce as a feature that reduces the drag on a wedge moving through sand, or through longer grass or thicker grass.

What is bounce angle in golf clubs?

The higher the bounce angle, the more the leading edge of the sole is off the ground at address. And different levels of bounce angle (higher or lower) in a wedge lead to slightly different playing characteristics. Bounce and bounce angle are elements present in all iron golf clubs, not just wedges. But the terms are commonly used almost ...

What is the average bounce angle?

Bounce angle can range anywhere from zero degrees to 14 degrees or higher. You can think of bounce angles of four degrees or less as low bounce; 5-10 degrees as medium bounce; and anything above 10 degrees as high bounce.

What is a bounce angle?

Bounce and bounce angle are elements present in all iron golf clubs, not just wedges. But the terms are commonly used almost exclusively in reference to wedges.

What is the lowest part of a wedge called?

Brent Kelley. Updated April 22, 2018. "Bounce" is a golf term referring to the lowest part of the sole of a wedge, that part of the wedge sole that is actually in contact with the ground at address and that causes the front of the sole to be off the ground at address. "Bounce angle" is a measurement, expressed in degrees, ...

Does swing type affect bounce?

Yes, swing type does have an impact on how much bounce will work best for you. "Golf course conditions and the way the golfer swings the wedges down into the ball have a bearing on how much bounce is good or bad for any golfer," says club designer and clubfitting researcher Tom Wishon, founder of Tom Wishon Golf Technology .

Can you schedule a wedge fitting?

Better yet, you can schedule a wedge fitting with a clubfitter. If you're a recreational golfer, an occasional golfer, someone who just wants to get out in the fresh air and enjoy time spent with golf buddies, don't sweat the technical stuff. But next time you buy new wedges, do keep in mind the general rules of thumb about bounce mentioned above.

Why use high bounce wedges in golf?

High bounce wedges help produce a lot of spin and can give players more control around the greens.

What is the difference between a high bounce wedge and a low bounce wedge?

Wedges with high bounce tend to not dig down into the turf as much and sort of ‘pop’ the wedge away from the ground. In contrast, wedges with low bounce tend to dig further into the ground, giving you a more precise hit.

What is the bounce angle of a golf club?

The bounce of a golf club is the angle between the leading edge of the sole of the club and the ground. The sole is the part of the club that really interacts with the turf. The bounce angle prevents or helps the sole of the club dig into the ground, sand or turf. There are benefits and drawbacks to each type of wedge bounce.

What does it mean when a golf club bounces?

What Does Bounce On a Golf Club Mean? The bounce angle on a golf club affects how the club interacts with the ground. Wedges that have low bounce (4 – 6 degrees) will dig into the ground more than wedges with high bounce (10 – 14 degrees).

What is a medium bounce wedge?

Medium bounce wedges – Wedges with medium bounce usually have between 7 and 10 degrees of bounce. These wedges are good in all conditions, firm and soft. Wedges with medium bounce are extremely versatile. Players can use these wedges around the greens to create a number of shots.

Can you dig a wedge with high bounce?

However, a wedge with high bounce can stop you from digging as much an can help hit the ball a little more clean. A lot of players prefer higher bounce wedges out of the sand to avoid over digging.

What is the point of bounce in golf?

The whole point of bounce is to prevent the leading edge of your club from digging into the ground. This is where the concept of having it be your backup plan comes into play. One of the biggest mistakes golfers make is that they hit the ball heavy with their wedges. Playing a club with enough bounce, and using it properly can prevent this ...

Why do you need a wedge on a course?

If you are someone who plays on a course with very firm turf, then the rule of thumb is to play a wedge with less bounce. Additionally, players who have a shallow swing arc and who “pick” the ball clean, stand to benefit from a wedge with less bounce. The reason for this is because you will have less of an issue with the club digging into ...

What is swing thought?

A very simple swing thought is to feel like your hands will arrive to the ball at the same time as the club head. A lot of the time it’s really hard to know exactly what we are doing with our technique, which is why working with a product like Swingbyte can show you what is actually happening.

What happens if you put your hands too far ahead?

If your hands are way too far ahead you are essentially de-lofting the club and activating the leading edge of your wedge, which will eliminate the benefit of the bounce. This can result in the dreaded chunked shot, because the club will be digging into the ground before you make contact with the ball.

Does bounce help in golf?

Remember, bounce can be your friend, and it will help reduce your margin of error around the greens. That is how you lower scores!

Can you strike the ball with a wedge?

It can allow you to strike the ball properly even if your technique isn’t perfect. If you speak with most club fitting experts they would say that most golfers stand to gain with wedges that have more bounce, but each player is different so it’s important to understand if bounce can help out your game.

How does sole grind affect bounce angle?

Here’s what I mean: As you open the face on your wedge, you’re adding bounce because the leading edge rises, which increases the bounce angle. When you close the face, it lessens. Different sole grinds, cambers, rocker radiuses (yes, ...

Is bounce angle static?

Bounce angle as it’s written on your wedge (it’s sometimes printed alongside loft), is not a static measurement. Your bounce angle changes depending on what type of shot you’re hitting and how you set up to the ball at address. Furthermore, different types of sole grinds can affect how changeable your bounce angle is.

Does closing the face affect the bounce?

When you close the face, it lessens. Different sole grinds, cambers, rocker radiuses (yes, that’s a thing) and so on can affect how this all plays out. Some grinds minimize the addition of bounce when played with an open face, or add or reduce bounce based on what types of chips, pitches or even full shots are played.

Does a higher bounce angle help you hit better shots?

Then again, if you have a steep swing and tend to hit your wedge shots fat, or you play frequently on golf courses with soft sand and turf, or you tend to play shots with added shaft lean towards the target, a higher bounce angle will likely help you hit better shots.

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