Bounce, loft, or just me?

[Axolotl]

I am a beginner.  I was hitting my Cleveland CG16 56* two dot (14 bounce) at the range today.  And I was getting the expected steep trajectory from a grassy lie.  However, from hard bare dirt I was getting a much lower trajectory and had to power down to get the same distance.  I understand that I am not getting under the ball as well on hard dirt.  What is the solution?  Less bounce?  More loft?  Better technique?  14 degrees seems like a lot of bounce, but Cleveland calls it "standard" so I'm not sure what my expectations should be.

[jpalermo]

14 degrees of bounce is hard to hit off of that lie. my mizuno 56 has 14 degrees of loft and I use it almost exclusively for the sand or a fluffy chip

[bassplayer7770]

As a "beginner", might I suggest a wedge similar to a Maltby M-Series 1.25 UC Wedge?  The 56* wedge has 8* of bounce, and I've found it to be easier to hit than any wedge I've tried.  That includes from fluffy sand and the rough as well as from the fairway.

http://www.golfworks.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_MA0103_A_cn_E_667

[inthecup]

Originally Posted by jpalermo

14 degrees of bounce is hard to hit off of that lie. my mizuno 56 has 14 degrees of loft and I use it almost exclusively for the sand or a fluffy chip

Are you saying for a partial swing on the fairway (25 yards +) you don't like the 56-14?  I have pretty good luck with it, I take a divot though and flight it down a bit so the bounce is not a big factor, I am pretty sure (when done right) I am hands in front of the head at impact.

I only ask because I am wondering if I should play those shots with my 51-6?  I had not considered using the 51 because I feel confident with the 56?

[WUTiger]

I used a Callaway XForged 56.14 last summer. On days I was swinging well, I could hit it from almost anywhere (except on actual hardpan).

On other days, I would use a 50.08 wedges for partial shots from less fluffy lies.

With 14° bounce, on tighter (less grassy) lies you run the risk of the clubhead bouncing off the turf - rather than digging in - and partially skulling the ball. Also, if you bounce it into impact you will lose some clubhead speed.

If you put your hands forward and ball back, you can reduce the effective bounce, but this can be trickly to do consistently.

[Mr. Desmond]

It's not all about the stated bounce, guys. A narrow sole or sole relief/grind decreases the effect of, and/or the stated bounce.

[Topper]

I have been eye-balling that wedge for a while but haven't pulled the trigger.  I don't like my 56-14* SW off tight lies either and was interested in trying the Maltby wedge's combination of wider sole and lower bounce.

Originally Posted by bassplayer7770

As a "beginner", might I suggest a wedge similar to a Maltby M-Series 1.25 UC Wedge?  The 56* wedge has 8* of bounce, and I've found it to be easier to hit than any wedge I've tried.  That includes from fluffy sand and the rough as well as from the fairway.

http://www.golfworks.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_MA0103_A_cn_E_667

To the OP, you may be flipping which will make this problem worse.  Flipping in grass can give you a high trajectory assuming you don't flip really bad and scull it. Flipping on hardpan will cause the wedge to ricochet off the ground and hit the ball thin with a much lower trajectory.

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

It's not all about the stated bounce, guys. A narrow sole or sole relief/grind decreases the effect of, and/or the stated bounce.

^^^ This.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by Axolotl

I am a beginner.  I was hitting my Cleveland CG16 56* two dot (14 bounce) at the range today.  And I was getting the expected steep trajectory from a grassy lie.  However, from hard bare dirt I was getting a much lower trajectory and had to power down to get the same distance.  I understand that I am not getting under the ball as well on hard dirt.  What is the solution?  Less bounce?  More loft?  Better technique?  14 degrees seems like a lot of bounce, but Cleveland calls it "standard" so I'm not sure what my expectations should be.

14 degrees is standard for an average sand wedge, not for a utility type of wedge.  You don't need that much bounce when hitting from a tight lie... in fact it can be a severe liability, as you have discovered.  My 56° CG15 has 10° bounce and I use that mostly as a utility wedge.  My 54° Vokey has 11°, and it is almost exclusively used as a sand wedge.  Neither one is really low bounce - both are more or less mid range.   Good sand technique can go a long way to reducing the need for excess bounce, making the wedge more useful for other shots.

[jpalermo]

Are you saying for a partial swing on the fairway (25 yards +) you don't like the 56-14?  I have pretty good luck with it, I take a divot though and flight it down a bit so the bounce is not a big factor, I am pretty sure (when done right) I am hands in front of the head at impact.

I only ask because I am wondering if I should play those shots with my 51-6?  I had not considered using the 51 because I feel confident with the 56?

I love my 56, for those 2 shots only.... I use my 53 for pretty much everything 100 yards and in. same reason you use your 56. it's my money club. chips, pitches, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4... I use my 60 for down hill chips from off the backside that run straight down, I use my 50 for full shot at 130 or if I need a runner up over a ridge in the green. each one has a purpose and multiple shots... I love them all actually.

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by Topper

I have been eye-balling that wedge for a while but haven't pulled the trigger.  I don't like my 56-14* SW off tight lies either and was interested in trying the Maltby wedge's combination of wider sole and lower bounce.

A wider sole adds to effective bounce. How about a medium sole with 11-12 of bounce, and maybe with some trailing edge relief.