Wedges and bounce...explain please.

**toddmlazarchick** · September 7, 2010

So I am thinking about purchasing some TaylorMade TP XFT wedges. I never really paid much attention to the bounce on wedges. So could someone explain what the numbers mean. Is a higher number a higher bounce and vice versa? What's the benefit of a high bounce, what's the benefit of a low bounce. Which is recommended for a handicap in the 20s like me? My main problem with my iron game is I often skull my shots and they end up skimming right off the green. Thanks for all the help.

**Elvisliveson** · September 7, 2010

A higher bounce is good for playing out of soft lies, like fluffy sand or wet rough. A lower bounce is better for playing off hardpan lies like bunkers with very little sand or where the rough is mostly dirt.

**Gerald** · September 7, 2010

We can talk hours about bounce ..... basicly bounce prevents a club to dig in the grass or sand much, next there is passive and active bounce, to make things more simple.

Bob Vokey recently talked to a group of Netherlands clubfitters and said for the average golfer (and that is a 20 capper for sure) it is best to buy the medium bounce versions of his wedges, wellll the guy sure knows what he is talking about ..... so who are we to decide differently.

If you are buying a wedge for sand shots it is best to buy something like a 54-56 sandwedge with a 11-12 bounce, calling that universal or allround, but is the sand at your home course is very soft maybe 14 degrees bounce is better. For a lob wedge most players prefer a lower bounce to get under the ball "easier" and then 7-10 bounce is perfect..... For a gap wedge or fringe wedge of about 50-52 degrees loft it is best to understand that these wedges are mostly used for full shots, so a bounce that is about equal to the bounce of your wedge 8-9 bounce.......

For a 20 capper ...... stay away from the 4 degr. bounce 60 degrees wedges, unless you like to visit your uncle at the other side of the globe -;/

**Paradox** · September 7, 2010

the lower the bounce, the more the club has a tendency to dig instead of ride along the ground. If you're playing in very firm conditions or don't have a very steep swing, then a low bounce wedge would work better than a high bounce(12 degrees or more). If you're playing in soft conditions then the higher bounce will keep you from digging too deep and hitting fat shots. Its best to go with a wedge bounce somewhere around 9 degrees for most players...versatile bounce that can be effective anywhere.

I like more bounce on my gap wedge(14 degrees) and less bounce on my lob wedge(6 degrees). Having a low bounce lob wedge lets me open the face if I need to without worrying about the club bouncing off the ground and hitting the ball thin. If I'm hitting my gap wedge, its usually from the fairway and I mostly play on pretty soft fairways so the high bounce keeps me from digging up a groundhog and hitting a fat shot.

**WUTiger** · September 7, 2010

Good comments by Elvis, Gerald and Paradox.

Also, there's two ways to considering bounce:
* Rated bounce, which is determined by measurement and often engraved on the clubhead
* Effective bounce, determined by clubhead-turf interaction factors, and can be more or less than rated bounce

Club designer Ralph Maltby has a good web link explaining the details (with drawings too):
http://www.ralphmaltby.com/50

MikeBuch · September 7, 2010

So could someone explain what the numbers mean. Is a higher number a higher bounce and vice versa? What's the benefit of a high bounce, what's the benefit of a low bounce..

Bounce is the angle between the leading edge of the club, trailing edge of the club, and the ground in front of the clubface. A decent diagram can be found here:

http://www.scratchgolf.com/tech-talk/bounce/ As you can see from the bottom diagram on that page, bounce angle is only part of the story and not the only factor that determines how the sole interacts with the ground. All else being equal, a higher bounce (greater angle) will reduce the club's tendency to dig and a lower bounce will increase this tendency. http://thesandtrap.com/bag_drop/wedg...why_it_matters a relevant quote: "Bounce is the angle of the sole measured against a horizontal line (the ground) when the club is in the address position and the shaft is vertical. The more bounce there is, the higher the leading edge is off the ground when the club is held in its square position. It's expressed in degrees . . . Gap and lob wedges generally carry six to eight degrees of bounce while sand wedges usually have somewhere between 12 and 14 degrees of bounce. That's because the more bounce there is, the more the bottom of the club acts like the bow of a boat to prevent the club from digging into the ground or the sand."

**Shorty** · September 7, 2010

So could someone explain what the numbers mean. Is a higher number a higher bounce and vice versa? What's the benefit of a high bounce, what's the benefit of a low bounce.

I really do find it extraordinary that people create threads like this. The whole point of the internet is that you can do a search and find information that has been created already. In cases like this, millions of times. Forums are for sharing thoughts, ideas and opinions, not asking for people to type out for the umpteenth time factual, well established and easily sourced pieces of information. What is wrong with going to Google - or the using the search function on this site - and typing in "wedge bounce" or "low bounce wedge benefits". You'll notice that many of the kind respondents have done this for you. Could you not have done it yourself?

Talk about reinventing the wheel!

**toddmlazarchick** · September 7, 2010

I really do find it extraordinary that people create threads like this. The whole point of the internet is that you can do a search and find information that has been created already. In cases like this, millions of times. Forums are for sharing thoughts, ideas and opinions, not asking for people to type out for the umpteenth time factual, well established and easily sourced pieces of information. What is wrong with going to Google - or the using the search function on this site - and typing in "wedge bounce" or "low bounce wedge benefits". You'll notice that many of the kind respondents have done this for you. Could you not have done it yourself?

I do find it really extraordinary that people feel they need to reply to threads and add nothing of valuable knowledge or ideas to the topic of discussion. Its quite simple. You see the thread title, open it up, read what I wrote in the original post and dont reply if you dont like what I wrote. No one is forcing you pal!

How many topics on here can actually be found just by "simply googling" it? About 98%. I posted what I did here because I like the views and opinions of the community of people here. Nearly everyone who replies to a thread adds valuable and useful knowledge to the original post that everyone can read and learn from. Notice I said everyone because there is always that handful of people who need to be the internet smart guy or tough guy because its something the can hide behind and get off on because its something they wouldn't do in public or face to face. So you are telling me if a friend of yours asked you the same question I did about wedges and bounce, because they knew you have knowledge of the topic, you would blow them off and tell them to "just go google it"? Think not! As for those of you who actually replied with useful knowledge to what I asked, thank you! I think I am going to go with the GW-52.09, SW-56.12 and LW-60.10. The thing is I am currently playing 48, 52, 56 and 60 wedges. If I went with the 3 mentioned prior, it would put me at the 14 club limit (Im currently at 15) but it would leave me without a 48 wedge. Would it be unwise to go without a 48?

**Paradox** · September 7, 2010

with your set of irons, theres no way I'd go with a gap from 40* to 52* Stick with a 48, 54-56, 60 if you're wanting to drop a wedge. I would personally go with 48, 54, 60. Your bounce choice will have to be based on where you play and how you like to hit shots.

**Gerald** · September 7, 2010

As for those of you who actually replied with useful knowledge to what I asked, thank you! I think I am going to go with the GW-52.09, SW-56.12 and LW-60.10. The thing is I am currently playing 48, 52, 56 and 60 wedges. If I went with the 3 mentioned prior, it would put me at the 14 club limit (Im currently at 15) but it would leave me without a 48 wedge. Would it be unwise to go without a 48?

Well if your sig is current, the 9i of your set is 40/07 ..... so currently you go from 40* to 52* ..... personally I wouldn't mind, but for most people that is quite a gap...... in most sets a 9i is about 43-44* ..... if you want a more even spread I would suggest to go for 46/08 - 52/08 - 58/12..... both the 46 and 52 would be wedges to be used with mostly (near) full swings and the 58 would be a great iron for bunkers, rough and the occasional lobs or flops.

At hc 22 you can at best forget the 60* and I personally believe 4* gaps are only a benefit to really strong hitting low handicappers, where these 4* gaps mean 20 yds gaps, but at hc 22 these 4* gaps, might well be to close to call..... actually.

**toddmlazarchick** · September 7, 2010

with your set of irons, theres no way I'd go with a gap from 40* to 52* Stick with a 48, 54-56, 60 if you're wanting to drop a wedge. I would personally go with 48, 54, 60. Your bounce choice will have to be based on where you play and how you like to hit shots.

I have a "home course" if I am going out just myself but I like to go out and play at as many places as I can. When I go myself it is just basically practice to me. As far as sticking with a 48 wedge, does Taylormade even make a 48 wedge? Ive been looking on their site and their wedges only go to 50 of 52 as the lowest.

**Bryan SD2** · September 7, 2010

Don't know why that did not show up as an image????

**Shorty** · September 8, 2010

So you are telling me if a friend of yours asked you the same question I did about wedges and bounce, because they knew you have knowledge of the topic, you would blow them off and tell them to "just go google it"? Think not!

I'd be happy to discuss it with them.

I also wouldn't post a thread in a motoring forum asking someone to explain to me how the internal combustion engine works, "pal". That is what you have done esssentially. You should Google for your basic information - you are too lazy to do that - and then ask specific questions following yoir research.

**toddmlazarchick** · September 8, 2010

I'd be happy to discuss it with them.

If I just wanted a text book definition of what bounce was I would have looked it up myself. I wanted opinions on what to use for my handicap. Lazy? Nope. Would rather a personal opinion based on experience or knowledge? Yep.

You can go from page to page and see multiple threads about the same thing. Its an internet forum. It happens. Who cares besides you? There's an extremely simple solution. Do not return. Simple as that.

**Gerald** · September 8, 2010

If I just wanted a text book definition of what bounce was I would have looked it up myself. I wanted opinions on what to use for my handicap. Lazy? Nope. Would rather a personal opinion based on experience or knowledge?

OK, all points are made ...... pfffff.

I was trying to advise you on the bounces, etc....... suddenly to see you updated your signature irons not longer being the Edge with a 9i/40 ..... but the R9 4i-PW(46), which means that your 46* question isn't very valid anymore ....... hmmm..... it seems like you allready decided to buy the wedges, so what was this all about then, you kind of just wanted advise .... not to listen too -;) ...... just had to be TM ..... huhhhhh. Now we wonder which of your 15 clubs is going to stay in the garage !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You'd better change your ball to : TM Penta ...... and maybe next week ask some interesting questions on Taylor Made bags and update the sig after about 10 replies. Best of luck with your new toys !!!

**max power** · September 8, 2010

I couldn't make hide nor hair of this discussion-what little I did glean lead me to this: lose the 60* wedge. 14 clubs, you're set, you don't need the 60* (no matter how many 25 'cappers here tell you it's their favorite or most reliable club). Take it only to the the range or practice green-in your actual bag use a 56* or 58* SW and be done with it.

**CrazyXGolfer** · September 8, 2010

I really do find it extraordinary that people create threads like this. The whole point of the internet is that you can do a search and find information that has been created already. In cases like this, millions of times. Forums are for sharing thoughts, ideas and opinions, not asking for people to type out for the umpteenth time factual, well established and easily sourced pieces of information. What is wrong with going to Google - or the using the search function on this site - and typing in "wedge bounce" or "low bounce wedge benefits". You'll notice that many of the kind respondents have done this for you. Could you not have done it yourself?

Seriously what is your deal? Sombody is just asking for advice, your the biggest troll on this forum! I have never ever seen you give any "good" adivce to sombody! If your not going to contribute in a helpfull way don;'t bother at all. All your working on is trying to get a huge post count by trolling the forums!

Lower Bounce will Dig more, higher bounce will dig less. For higher HC's it's usully better that they usually get more bounce (EG around 12*) But lower bounce is really good for hard ground or bunkers with little sand in them and higher bounce is good when bunkers have lots of sand and does not have alot of tight lies. Most of witch has already been said.

**toddmlazarchick** · September 8, 2010

OK, all points are made ...... pfffff.

I already had the R9s purchased prior to this thread (4-9). I knew I wanted to switch to the TP XFT wedges but I wasn't sure of which bounce to go with. After reading your first reply I decided to go with that setup and made my purchase yesterday, also purchased the R9 PW. I already had my mind made up what I wanted just not the specs.

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Wedges and bounce...explain please.

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