Thinking of replacing my SW for one with less bounce

[Sheekamoo]

My current sand wedge has 15* of bounce and I really dislike using that club. I absolutely love my gap wedge which has, I think 8* of bounce. With the sand wedge, I end up skulling the ball at times (especially if I open up the club (which adds even more bounce)).

This got me thinking... is 15* too much bounce for a SW at the courses I play at? I'm located in Southern California and the rough's around here are nothing like I see on the PGA or in teaching videos. Sand, at the courses I've been playing at, has been pretty firm for the most part as well. I'm thinking that for the most part, I'd be happier with a SW with less bounce since the rough's aren't too bad and sand is usually firm.

I'm thinking about picking up a SW with 12* of bounce instead of the 15* I already have. Anyone have any thoughts/opinions? Should I just practice even more with my SW and learn to hit it better? I absolutely love my GW though and use that for most shots around and near the green... but I have a heck of a time hitting my SW consistently. I'm sitting here thinking that less bounce will help me hit the ball more consistently.

[leo3]

12 degrees is a good amount of bounce in a SW, IMO. I switched to a 60 degree wedge with 12 deg. bounce to match my SW, so I can interchange them, depending on the length of shots, and have them play the same. It has worked out well for me, just pull a club, based on the yardage, and swing away.

[gmanuel25]

12 degrees is a good amount of bounce in a SW, IMO. I switched to a 60 degree wedge with 12 deg. bounce to match my SW, so I can interchange them, depending on the length of shots, and have them play the same. It has worked out well for me, just pull a club, based on the yardage, and swing away.

Just curious which SE sand wedge you have. The last two snake eyes that I've owned are 56/14.

[max power]

SW should have a goodly amount of bounce, IMO. My lob wedge has a little bit less than my sand wedge, and my gap wedge a little less than the lob. If you have a tight lie or firm sand don't hesitate to use your gap wedge. No offense, but you're not skulling the ball because of the bounce on the sand wedge.

[clearwaterms]

No offense, but you're not skulling the ball because of the bounce on the sand wedge.

I am curious - I have a similar problem with a Sandwedge that I have. It is 56 degrees and has 14 degrees of bounce. I too have the problem that I occasionally skull the ball when I open up the face. I don't have the problem when the club is square to the target, but when I open up the face and take a nice easy swing off the fairway, I will more often then not skull it. When it is wet, or i am in the ruff and can get under the ball a little bit its fine, but that easy chip shot swing (slow and deliberate) is tough off a hard fairway.

[leo3]

Just curious which SE sand wedge you have. The last two snake eyes that I've owned are 56/14.

It's a 675TM, chrome, 56-12

[3puttwilly]

I am curious - I have a similar problem with a Sandwedge that I have. It is 56 degrees and has 14 degrees of bounce. I too have the problem that I occasionally skull the ball when I open up the face. I don't have the problem when the club is square to the target, but when I open up the face and take a nice easy swing off the fairway, I will more often then not skull it. When it is wet, or i am in the ruff and can get under the ball a little bit its fine, but that easy chip shot swing (slow and deliberate) is tough off a hard fairway.

Usually this happens I hate to say it but because of swing flaws and sometimes the lie dictates the shot you have to hit. Ive played all types of loft and bounce variations and a 56/12 is a good option. Another option is if you have someone nearby that you "trust" and does clubwork there are alot of different grinds that can be done on the sole to effectly change the way a club will address the ball with an open face but be warned after you start grinding on a wedge you cant go back. I had one with 2 degrees of bounce that slid under the ball from the tightest lies but was useless out of the bunkers. All in all worry about having the correct lofts.

[flanagan]

My 56 degree Vokey has 14 degrees, I don't really hesitate to use it from tight lies, although where I play we have really firm bunkers, so I use my 60 degree 95% of the time from those. It could be the sole width on your wedge that is making the effective bounce greater, or other factors. For example, my daughter finds the Ping Tour Ws set up and play better for shorter shots, than the U or S wedges that would otherwise have come with her G5s, and I agree with her. It may just be you need or would be more comfortable with a different style wedge(s), not necessarily the bounce issue alone.