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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- Webb Simpson what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 6 X
3-wood: Titleist TS2 (15 degrees, B2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Blue 70 TX
5-wood: Titleist 913 Fd (18 degrees)
Shaft: UST Mamiya VTS Proforce 8 TX
Hybrids: Titleist TSR2 (24 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD D1 Hybrid 105 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (5, 6), Titleist 680 (7-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (46-10F, 54-14F, 60-04L)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (46), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird Cruiser
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Check out more in-hand photos of Webb Simpson’s clubs here.
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- Keegan Bradley’s WITB accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. >14 clubs pictured. Obviously, Bradley will reduce that number to 14 for competition. Check out more photos from the tournament here.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (16.5 degrees)
Shaft: Aldila Rogue White 130 MSI 70 TX
Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW (19 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black RDX 80 TX
Irons: Srixon ZX5 Mk II (3-5) Srixon ZX7 Mk II (6-PW)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore (52-10 Mid, 58-6 Low)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird Cruiser
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy WristLock
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Plus4
Ball: Srixon Z-Star Diamond
Check out more in-hand photos of Bradley’s clubs here.
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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 set of Mizuno 245 irons.
From the seller: (@JB_007): “1. Mizuno Pro 245 – $1000 –> 950/obo
- Purchased brand new – they have 36 holes on them, with probably 10 premium range balls. Great set of irons, I just am looking to go another way right now.
- 5-PW –> stock L/L/L
- Project X LS 6.5
- Stock MCC Mizuno Grips.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Mizuno 245 irons
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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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.