Written by Kyle Gordon, National Training Manager

Bounce—it is one of the most misunderstood elements in golf clubs. What is bounce and how does it impact the way your clubs interact with the turf? If you understand it, your game can really benefit from it, especially in the spring and fall in wetter conditions and cooler temperatures.

What is bounce?

Bounce is the angle created between the leading edge of the club and the lowest point on the sole. The higher the bounce, the more the leading edge is off the ground at address.

So what does that mean for the conditions you’re playing in?

Part of it depends on what type of swing you have. I like to think of it as a knife versus a spoon. Low bounce is like a knife and will tend to dig and get stuck in the ground, where the high bounce is like a spoon and would skip through the turf.  And in the fall, when it is wetter, I think clubs with more bounce are beneficial.

One thing that must be taken into consideration is which wedges you are using and what you’re using them for. Increasingly, chipping is done with 60 degree wedges. They dominate the short game these days and that’s where bounce is really a key.

Consider Wide Soles

Golfers, especially casual players who are looking to technology to help their games, should consider wedges with wider soles. Clubs that would fit the bill include Cleveland’s CBX 2 Wedge, which offers a wider sole that skips over the turf, as opposed to digging. Similarly, TaylorMade’s Big Foot version of its Hi-Toe wedge is 6 mm wider than the company’s initial version, and is designed not to dig.

Wedges are one of the most used clubs in your bag and should be replaced approximately every 100 rounds or so depending on practice routines. Bring in your current wedges to any store to find out what style of wedges will work best for you.  We can measure your current clubs performance on the Foresight GC Quad and make recommendations for the best-suited clubs for you.