Equipment
Golf 101: What is bounce?
Although I could pen a 2,000-word essay on the subject of “what is bounce,” that’s not the goal here. Instead, let’s paint a simple picture.
You are a new golfer looking to buy your first sand wedge because your buddy told you it was necessary. You enter your local shop and start looking at racks of wedges with numbers and letters. Loft? That’s simple enough. But what’s this other number—this “bounce” thing?
What is bounce?
When I explain it to new players, I use Bob Vokey’s “rudder” analogy. For soft sand, you need a bigger rudder (more bounce/wider sole) to move the sound out of the way. On firmer sand, you need a smaller rudder (less bounce/narrow sole) to keep the leading edge under the ball.
Basically, more bounce equals leading edge sits higher off the ground, less bounce means leading sits lower to the ground. Yes, there are exceptions to every rule, but this is for beginners so let’s keep it easy.
This is a VERY simple picture for those that are visual learners
Vokey’s Aaron Dill had this to say:
“Bounce is a combination of sole angles and shape that create forgiveness and versatility for all golfers.”
In simple terms, every golfer fits into a unique profile based on how they deliver the club at impact. Players that are steep tend to need a wedge with more bounce, shallow/sweepy/pickers prefer less bounce.
By the numbers: This is general, OEMs all have their own parameters for Low/Std/High but this will give you an idea
Low Bounce = 4-9 degrees
Std/High Bounce= 10-14 degrees
So when you are buying your first wedge (yes, just one, to begin with, a 56 degree), ask some questions, try some different options and if at all possible, more than any club in your bag, get to know that wedge like the back of your hand. As a new golfer, it will be the first club that will actually help your score.
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/23/24): TaylorMade Qi10 Driver Ruby Red
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a TaylorMade Qi10 Driver Ruby Red.
From the seller: (@Gehly): “TaylorMade Qi10 Driver 9.0 Designer Series Ruby Red. Custom Mitsubishi Kai’li Red 60s (stiff) shaft, plays 46”. Great condition, head near mint (see pics). w/ Red/Black Golf Pride NDMC Midsize grip. No headcover for it. $545“
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: TaylorMade Qi10 Driver Ruby Red
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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- Sam Burns’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage.
Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond S (9 degrees @10)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 7 TX
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond T (15 degrees @16)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X
Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X
Irons: Callaway Apex TCB ’24 (4-AW)
Shafts: Project X 6.5 (4-PW), True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 Tour Issue (AW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56-14F @55), WedgeWorks Proto (60-T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold S400 Tour Issue (56, 60)
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One #7S
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Align
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour X
Check out more in-hand photos of Sam Burns’ WITB in the forums.
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- Will Zalatoris’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage.
Driver: Titleist TSR2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 7 X (44.5 inches)
3-wood: Titleist TSi2 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T350 (3), Titleist T150 (4-PW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Prototype G.O.S.T. 10 ST X (3), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-PW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (50-08F, 54-10S @55, 60-04T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: L.A.B. Golf Mezz.1 Max
Grips: Golf Pride Z-Grip Cord
See more photos of Will Zalatoris’ WITB in the forums.
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Sam Burns WITB 2024 (April)
Sam Burns’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond S (9 degrees...
Will Zalatoris WITB 2024 (April)
Will Zalatoris’ what’s in the bag accurate as of the RBC Heritage. Driver: Titleist TSR2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)...
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Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (8 degrees @8.25) Buy here. Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X (45 inches) 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Buy...
Nelly Korda’s winning WITB: 2024 Chevron Championship
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 Max (10.5 degrees) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana GT 60 S 3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees)...
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Jack Wullkotte
Sep 9, 2020 at 11:03 am
As far as I know, Toney Penna was the first club designer to incorporate bounce in designing iron heads. I believe it was in 1950. Prior to that, most irons had zero or minus bounce and laid wide open with extremely sharp leading edges. Toney also attempted to put 4 way roll on iron heads, but that never materialized. Just a little trivia from a 90 year old man who began working for the MacGregor Golf Co. in 1947.
Ted Noel
Sep 9, 2020 at 11:02 am
This article is pablum. Bounce is not bounce is not bounce. Take the low bounce wedge and extend it further aft. You will get leading edge rise the same as a high bounce wedge. Thus, the key feature is leading edge rise. You can get it different ways, but your technique will determine how much leading edge rise you need. Further, leading edge shape will affect your shots. A sharp edge is less forgiving, while a more rounded edge will let you get away with some shots.
We need to define wedges by 1) leading edge rise 2) leading edge profile 3) sole grind (for versatility). Bounce angle is worthless.
Gebby
Sep 10, 2020 at 7:32 am
Potato -cpotahto, tomato – tomahto
Jack Nash
Sep 9, 2020 at 10:39 am
Important to consider bounce when chipping “against” the grain also. Lower bounce digs in more. Good article and explanation.
Jim
Sep 9, 2020 at 10:22 am
I like the skid plate vs shovel analogy. Bounce is your friend For the average guy.