Help me sort out my wedges

[Harp]

i currently carry 4 wedges in my bag, but they're either wedges that my dad had and didn't like or i picked up cheap. this season i'm focusing 100% of my practice on 125 yards and in and i think its time to get a proper set of wedges suited for my game. I know what i like, what feels good, and looks good so i'm not worried about brands, models, etc. however i need some help with loft and bounce.

i like carrying 47, 52, 56, and 60 degree wedges. i struggle out of the sand and want to carry a "specialized" sand wedge. I'm thinking about a 56* wedge with a high degree of bounce...what do you think 14*? my other wedges would then be around 4* of bounce. i'm more of a sweeper and like that low bounce angle to cut through the turf. this all makes sense to me I just wanted to run it by everyone for some insight. thanks

[B-Con]

I don't think 14* bounce on a sand wedge is abnormal or questionable, especially if the courses you play have more tightly packed bunkers. 4* is a lowish bounce for a gap wedge, but you did say you're a sweeper. From the wedge bounce advice I've read, such as regarding the bounce angle design decisions for Vokey wedges, supposedly most people underestimate how much bounce they would benefit from. But that's not a low bounce for a lob wedge, people have widely varying tastes on lob wedges.

I think you will have a difficult time finding your favorite gap wedges in 4* bounce. Eg, the CG12 52* does not come in less than 6* bounce, and for several Cleveland wedge models around that loft none come with less than 6* (according to clevelandgolf.com). Same for the Vokey spin-milled, the website shows nothing in the gap wedge range with less than 8* of bounce.

I'm not the resident bounce expert, but even if you're a sweeper, 4* of bounce doesn't sound necessary. If you have 52* loft and are not playing the ball forward in your stance it's hard for even 6* of bounce to get in your way.

Where are the courses you tend to play? Do they have harder dirt during the summer (ie, Northwestern states in the U.S.)?

[Harp]

alright so 14*+ is not unreasonable. it my mind it was really high, but the more i look around that seems accurate for a sand wedge. i'm also having trouble finding wedges with less than 6* of bounce so it looks like 6* is where its at for my 52 and 60.

i play in new england on a wide variety of courses. some have fluffy fine sand other have tightly packed "dirt". what are the advantages/disadvantages of bounce in those conditions. my thought would be high bounce angle for fluffy and low for harder sand....true??

[B-Con]

The firmer the ground/sand, the less bounce is necessary. The more light/soft the sand/ground, the more bounce is helpful to discourage digging.

If you're dead set on finding low bounce, the Cleveland 588 line (recently discontinued?) has as low as 3* of bounce for the lob loft, but I don't know about the gap loft. Might be worth investigating.

[WUTiger]

... i need some help with loft and bounce.

Consider expanding your Cle CG12s. They are on sale right now, around $69 each in places. You have the 52° (getting scarce in model) and likely could get a 56.14 and 60° with no trouble. If you're lucky, you can find a 60.04 in the model.

Here's CG12 site: http://www.clevelandgolf.com/US_cg12...od_wedges.html Also, wedges have both rated bounce (standard measure engraved on club hosel) and effective bounce (how rated is influenced by sole grind, thickness and radius as it goes through turf.) Club designer Ralph Maltby has an interesting discussion of this: http://www.ralphmaltby.com/50

[Harp]

Consider expanding your Cle CG12s. They are on sale right now, around $69 each in places. You have the 52° (getting scarce in model) and likely could get a 56.14 and 60° with no trouble. If you're lucky, you can find a 60.04 in the model.

the cg12 is newly in the bag...not sure how i'm going to like it. as of right now i'm not the biggest fan because of the more rounded leading edge, but performance can wipe that thought out of my head with ease. i just scored a vokey 60.04 spin milled the other day and after the first round it has been a great addition to the bag. i now have a cleveland, nike, and vokey wedge...whichever one i fall in love with i'll look for its counterpart in a 56.12 or 56.14 sand wedge. thanks for the heads up on those cleveland wedges...good deal!

[ks8829]

If the sand is the reason for another wedge, think again. 10% equipment 90% the player and your technique or lack of it.

Sand play thats helps me...........
1) play the ball closer to the front foot near the heel
2) shift your weight forward at your set up
3) open your blade of the wedge to give you more bounce and aim left of your target
4) judge the distance with the length of your backswing and how wide you open your wedge
5) accelerate through the shot and you want to make that thump sound like the pros
6) its helps to use different clubs for different distances, for example closer to the hole 60 degree and 40 foot bunker play you could use your 52 degree with a slightly open club face
7) practice helps build confidence and the feel for sand play
8) wet sand plays differently than soft sand so learn to make the adjustment
9) make sure you get out of the sand as the first priority, second is distance control and lastly direction.
10) make sand play fun, pros aim for sand instead of deep rough to get up and down

what is your bounce of your wedges? below is the bounce I have on my wedges and they all work fine out of the sand.

[WUTiger]

i now have a cleveland, nike, and vokey wedge...whichever one i fall in love with...

If you somehow came to like the three you have, this could be a

major intimiation factor for people who look in the bag. Combine it with a quick story about how you came to this mix after 9 months of personal tests.

[Steve Keeler]

i like carrying 47, 52, 56, and 60 degree wedges. i struggle out of the sand and want to carry a "specialized" sand wedge. I'm thinking about a 56* wedge with a high degree of bounce...what do you think 14*? my other wedges would then be around 4* of bounce. i'm more of a sweeper and like that low bounce angle to cut through the turf. this all makes sense to me I just wanted to run it by everyone for some insight. thanks

"specialized" or not..a sand wedge does not have to be your 56*....I play the 60* out of the sand. I suggest taking a lesson on bunker play (sorry the old pro in me) once you learn the proper technique you'll actually love playing out of the sand.

The problem when having one club, especially the 56* with high bounce, it can bite you once you need it in the fairway...your goal should be to maximize the shots around the green and not the bunker. ks8829 sums it up well.. Thats my two cents...Go with something like 12* bounce in the 56

[basfrk11]

I think you are thinking way too much

[Harp]

i agree i need help out of the sand and a lesson wouldn't be the worse thing in the world. however, my current sand wedge has 6 degrees of bounce and i don't think that is helping the situation. my thought is a 56.12...probably won't be the best off tight lies, but i can always shorten my swing with the 52 and the 56.12 should have no problem in light-heavy rough and sand.