Low bounce wedges and bunkers.

Deke

Journeyman Pro
Joined
Nov 16, 2009
Messages
1,619
Location
Glasgow.
Visit site
Hi forum buddies,I have been wondering this for some time,is a higher lofted wedge with very little bounce(4-6 deg) totally useless in the sand or is it a non issue given good technique? Thanks.
 

Imurg

The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
Joined
Mar 15, 2008
Messages
37,527
Location
Aylesbury Bucks
Visit site
With good technique you can get out of a bunker with a 3 iron.

The lack of bounce will make it more tricky unless the sand is packed/wet.
 

Imurg

The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
Joined
Mar 15, 2008
Messages
37,527
Location
Aylesbury Bucks
Visit site
Average player, average bunker, average sand - probably twice as hard with little bounce
If there's any depth of sand then bounce is your friend.
 

Yer Maw

Head Pro
Joined
Oct 24, 2011
Messages
312
Location
Fife
Visit site
this is an interesting one as I use a low bounce 56 degree MD wedge for my bunker shots and bunkers are a strength of my game. I also love the club for around the greens etc. Moved onto links courses with softer sand and not sure I need to change wedges and will see how it pans out this year. Maybe the sand was just so wet last year it was similar to the firmer sand of the parkland course I used to play, but I saying that I do practise bunkers quite often. I'll probably try some 58 higher bounce wedges but as long as the current wedge works then why change?!?
I tend to open up and use a sweeping motion but when I need more height I close it more and come in a little steeper. Love bunker play.
 

Deke

Journeyman Pro
Joined
Nov 16, 2009
Messages
1,619
Location
Glasgow.
Visit site
Be careful if you go too high with the bounce it will be useless elsewhere on the course and ull be thinning pitches all day. 11 degrees is good for most conditions!

I was after 8-10 deg,that should be fine,but check out Stan Utely,he can hit 10deg lob shots off concrete! I rarely thinned my old 10deg bounce lob wedge on the course,I think it's more to do with the grind.Thanks for your post Lyden.
 

Deke

Journeyman Pro
Joined
Nov 16, 2009
Messages
1,619
Location
Glasgow.
Visit site
this is an interesting one as I use a low bounce 56 degree MD wedge for my bunker shots and bunkers are a strength of my game. I also love the club for around the greens etc. Moved onto links courses with softer sand and not sure I need to change wedges and will see how it pans out this year. Maybe the sand was just so wet last year it was similar to the firmer sand of the parkland course I used to play, but I saying that I do practise bunkers quite often. I'll probably try some 58 higher bounce wedges but as long as the current wedge works then why change?!?
I tend to open up and use a sweeping motion but when I need more height I close it more and come in a little steeper. Love bunker play.

I hear you bud,I used to do ok with a 9deg sand wedge,but I do find my current 13deg one easier!
 

lyden

Head Pro
Joined
Mar 6, 2013
Messages
498
Location
llandudno
Visit site
I would definitely opt for 10 so you can open the face and increase it in the bunker but its still good on firm fairways. Mine are 56.11 & 60.07 my 60 wouldnt go near the sand unless its hard packed and I'm trying to stab it / pick it off the top.
 

Deke

Journeyman Pro
Joined
Nov 16, 2009
Messages
1,619
Location
Glasgow.
Visit site
I would definitely opt for 10 so you can open the face and increase it in the bunker but its still good on firm fairways. Mine are 56.11 & 60.07 my 60 wouldnt go near the sand unless its hard packed and I'm trying to stab it / pick it off the top.

Cheers buddy,8-10 will be ok I think as for most bunker shots I will be using my 56.I will only use the lob if I really need it or for a softer landing bunker shots/pitches/or chips.
 
Last edited:

DCB

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2007
Messages
7,732
Location
Midlothian
Visit site
I've always gone for as much bounce as I can get, 13° or 14° are ideal IMO. Out of bunkers use all the bounce you can get to help you out the sand. Out the rough around the green and the added bounce is once again your friend. I play a parkland course with fine sand in the bunkers. Still manage with the same clubs down the coast on the coarse East Lothian sand and crushed shells.

Bounce is your friend ;)
 

HomerJSimpson

Hall of Famer
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
72,641
Location
Bracknell - Berkshire
Visit site
Bounce is your friend ;)

This is the cornerstone of the linear method I use for chipping and bunkers and to be honest it gives me such a big margin for error now that I can hit it heaey out of the sand and the bounce will help and it will still come out. I have a 58 with 8 degres which seems to work out of most bunker types I play
 

granters

Q-School Graduate
Joined
May 28, 2010
Messages
952
www.theirvinegolfclub.co.uk
Ive never used a high bounce, current 60 degree is delofted to 59 so has around 3 degrees. I'm pretty good from the bunkers too and never had an issue with it. I can really drive it through the sand and pop it out
 

Deke

Journeyman Pro
Joined
Nov 16, 2009
Messages
1,619
Location
Glasgow.
Visit site
Ive never used a high bounce, current 60 degree is delofted to 59 so has around 3 degrees. I'm pretty good from the bunkers too and never had an issue with it. I can really drive it through the sand and pop it out

Good stuff mate,thanks for posting! ;)
 

harpo_72

Journeyman Pro
Joined
Feb 20, 2013
Messages
5,950
Visit site
I dropped my 56deg 12deg of bounce sand wedge, it just was not working and for me that was a big thing because this was my go to wedge. The 60 deg 6 sets of bounce lob wedge was just a specialist club for flopping when I blind sided myself. But I tried it out of the bunker and it worked really well and I chip around the green with it due to their pace and hence the 56 being dropped. Honestly it's just a case of finding what gets you out and where you want to be. I now carry longer clubs at the top end but I may have found a happy compromise there losing another club out the bag!
 
Top