Wedge 'Bounce'

[Spoff]

Guys, I am still a novice when it comes to a lot of golf stuff.

I'm looking to replace my SW with a Vokey but have a choice of bounce on the 56 degree wedge I'm looking at has a choice of 10 or 14 degree bounce.

I'm going to speak to the pro before I make a decision, but would like to have an idea what bounce means so I don't look as daft as I actually am

Oh, and 56* will be similar to the SW I have, won't it

 

[birdieman]

Spoff in the old days sand wedges were 55 degrees, 56 is about standard nowadays. However if you are only a 3 wedge man such as me, mine are spread 47, 53, 58, no room for a 56.

Bounce basically relates to how far off the ground the leading edge of the club is when at address determined by the sole of the club being more or less rounded in shape. Low bounce (4 or 6 deg) will have a low leading edge that will nip into the turf easily, a high bounce such as 14 will tend to slide over rather than dig into the turf.

A high bounce is useful for bunkers mainly - stops the club digging in too much.

On a hard dry course like a links you'd want a low bounce as a high bounce may make thinning it easier, soft mossy wet courses a high bounce would likely be better as a low bounce would be easier to hit 'fat' or heavy.

Also the steepness of a players swing is important, if you come down into the ball steeply a high bounce would help you not 'fat' it, conversely a shallow swing plane would perhaps be better with a lower bounce.

Bit of trial and error needed to find out what you prefer.

That's my two pence worth!

 

[Spoff]

At the minute I've got the PW & SW that came with the set plus a 60* vokey not long after I started because my mate had one and I was a bit green when it came to golf and AG said that is what I want.

Love it to bits so looking for another.

Will hopefully be replacing my irons in the next 18 months and most sets appear to be 4i- PW so looking to get the SW now if poss.

How can I work out what bounce my current SW has. Something the pro can do?

 

[bobmac]

Great answer birdieman. Nothing much to add to that except the pic below

 

[DCB]

I have used 13° or 14° on my last two sand wedges. I must say, it is not often that I leave the ball in the bunker.

However, I would echo what birdieman said about playing off tight hard ground. Had a very spectacular/embarassing mishit at Gullane last season cause of it.

 

[RGuk]

Great answer birdieman. Nothing much to add to that except the pic below

Great picture! Personally, I'd not go with as much as 14 degrees....although my latest SW has a huge sole, which is great in the sand, less good off the short grass.

 

[andiritchie]

I would have 10 degrees of bounce on a 56,which is low enough to nip it but nice for bunkers.

I guessing your 60 will have 4 degrees,thats the go to club off tight lies

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think the problem with trying any of these wedges out is that you tend to hit off mats which will mask a mishit and the club will skid along the top and still get the ball airborne. It won't really help judge what loft is best.

One of the things to consider is the type of sand in the bunkers where you play. If it is hard and compact you will probably need a lower bounce than if you are playing a course with fluffy sand where you need something to slide through it more.