Wedges - Bounce

[cnl390]

I have been been reading about the importance of playing a wedge to suit your swing & course conditions.  I have Ping G PW, UW, (12°) & SW & LW (13°).

I never take a divot, and our courses have semi-firm fairways and bermuda rough .  Should I try less bounce on the PW & UW?

[David L Yskes]

this is one of those, never ending questions....     i switched to a 50/8 , 56/11 bent to 55, and a 56/8 set up.. 

i use the 55* for bunkers and in the rough..... i use the 56* when i am in the fairway  

as for taking a divot... i find when using my wedges, if i am picking the ball / taking a medium type divot, i am hitting the ball good..  but everyone is different

[Patch]

At one time, I carried 4 wedges, each for specifics types of lies, and/or distances. I was pretty good with that "12 distances with 3 back swings" scenario.

 However, to be honest, I never paid much attention what their bounce numbers were. Just never thought that "deep" into that type of club information. Also, it was one less thing to think about when selecting a club. 

I do own a "0" bounce, 56* degree wedge that I sometimes put in my bag for courses with firmer playing conditions. I like to use it to get out of bunkers where the sand is worn out, or just plain gone. I actually like that club a lot. 

These days, I just carry 2 wedges, while using my 9i in some situations as a wedge. 

[Vinny Cap]

12 hours ago, cnl390 said:

I have been been reading about the importance of playing a wedge to suit your swing & course conditions.  I have Ping G PW, UW, (12°) & SW & LW (13°).

I never take a divot, and our courses have semi-firm fairways and bermuda rough .  Should I try less bounce on the PW & UW?

Good question and many have different answers depending on your swing and course conditions.

Here is what I go by, hope it helps.

High Bounce (above 14°) for tall grass, deep rough, and fluffy sand
Standard Bounce (10°-14°) for normal to soft conditions or those who leave shallow divots.
Low Bounce (0-10°) for tight lies, fairway shots, and tight, compacted sand.  My 51 has 9*, my 58 has 14* and for wet conditions I have started using a 54 with 16*

Edited November 8, 2016 by Vinny Cap

[David in FL]

3 minutes ago, Vinny Cap said:

Good question and many have different answers depending on your swing and course conditions.

Here is what I go by, hope it helps.

High Bounce (above 14°) for tall grass, deep rough, and fluffy sand
Standard Bounce (10°-14°) for normal to soft conditions or those who leave shallow divots.
Low Bounce (0-10°) for tight lies, fairway shots, and tight, compacted sand.

A long time ago. I posted a video of me playing a 14* bounce SW off of my driveway.  @iacas has posted similar videos as well.  Used properly, with correct technique, bounce helps in virtually all conditions.  

[Vinny Cap]

8 minutes ago, David in FL said:

A long time ago. I posted a video of me playing a 14* bounce SW off of my driveway.  @iacas has posted similar videos as well.  Used properly, with correct technique, bounce helps in virtually all conditions.  

That's cool.  Doing a lil Phil M?  He can pick the ball clean off the bleachers!

[dave s]

For me, it was more about the GRIND of the wedge sole, and less about the bounce number.  Read and learn about wedges, grinds and how those combinations relate to course conditions at Titlest's Vokey website.  Really interesting information there.

Conditions up north, (Ohio) means bent grass greens and fairways with soft, tight approach areas.  When I called Vokey, (after making a couple of BAD wedge bounce/grind choices) I mentioned Firestone CC and the guy steered me to bounce/grind wedges that made sense for conditions I play on regularly.  Excellent advice. 

Bought my 54 and 58* wedges locally at a Golfsmith and couldn't be happier.  Both Vokey wedges are "M" grind with 8* bounce.  They seem to be perfect for softer conditions playing on bent grass and longer roughs that tend to lay down.

dave

[iacas]

2 hours ago, Vinny Cap said:

That's cool.  Doing a lil Phil M?  He can pick the ball clean off the bleachers!

While I agree that it's more about the grind than the bounce, more bounce is still often better so long as it is also not with a really wide sole.

I think the "matching to your conditions" is bogus. I use my lob wedge (22° bounce) from everything from hardpan (video above) to the fluffiest of sand.

[TourSpoon]

I would ask why you are asking? If you are not having any specific issues why fix what is not broken? I never paid much attention to bounce until I got beyond my pw. I play M grind Vokey TVDs which are 54/10 and 60/8. I find they have enough bounce, except in rare super soft conditions, but I adapt to the lie and make it work. My wedges have a very versatile grind that works for the way I play.