Little White Balls

In golf, “bounce” refers to the angle and design of the sole (the bottom) of a wedge. The bounce angle is an important feature of a wedge because it influences how the club interacts with the turf and the ball when you make a shot, particularly on shorter approach shots and shots around the green.

The bounce angle is the angle formed between the leading edge of the clubhead and the lowest point of the sole. A wedge with higher bounce will have a more pronounced angle, meaning the sole extends farther below the leading edge. Conversely, a wedge with lower bounce will have a flatter sole, with less of an angle.

Here’s what the interwebs say about bounce:

1. Sand Shots: A sand wedge typically has a higher bounce (10-14 degrees) to help prevent the club from digging into the sand in bunkers. The higher bounce allows the club to glide through the sand more easily.
2. Lob Shots: A lob wedge often has moderate to high bounce (around 6-10 degrees) to help you get under the ball when you need to hit high, soft shots around the green.
3. Pitching and Chipping: For pitching and chipping, you might choose a wedge with moderate to low bounce (4-6 degrees or less) to make cleaner contact with the ball and ground, and to avoid excessive digging.
4. Tight Lies: On tight, firm lies, a wedge with lower bounce can help the leading edge get under the ball without catching on the ground.

It’s important to choose the right bounce angle for your playing conditions and your swing style. Golfers with a steeper angle of attack might benefit from more bounce to prevent digging, while those with a shallower angle of attack might prefer less bounce for more control.

Personally, I think that the short game is a game of versatility. Having wedges that do an all-round job rather than just one is important. I think your wedges should have a medium amount of bounce with very little on the toe so that you can manipulate the club to suit the shot. Of course, that’s just me.

From there we can work on your technique and shot selection so that you can use the wrenches to good effect. Oh, and get fitted!