How Much WEDGE BOUNCE is Right for Your Game?

[@jacobcortzen3083]

Could you do a part 2 about the progression of bounce in a set of wedges? What are the pros of going 8-10-12 in bounce compared to having 10 degrees of bounce in all wedges. Maybe also including a short guide to what is the easiest to play with (of bounce) if you are a mid-handicapper as the vast majority of golfers are. Great video by the way:)

[@lkae4]

Low bounce in the lob wedge and high bounce in the sand wedge is also a great option. Can open or close the face for adjustments. Having a low bounce club for tight lies can be very very important for those of us who don't play a foot wedge.

[@GSHOCKOUTDOORS]

That’s exactly what I play - 56/14 full face which is awesome out of most bunkers and the rough, and a 60/04 for the tight links fairways I play. Not very often I find myself without a shot. I used to have 58/10 but found I got caught out a couple of times and switched to four wedges.

[@Loui_Vizcarra]

Bounce has confused me for a long time. This may be the best video I have seen on bounce. Very clear on what the high bounce and low bounce bring to different types of turf. It’s so clear to me now. Thanks again boys.

[@stevenrobertson1416]

Asked about this in the live and got a good answer but this was SO helpful to see the numbers! Always amazing content

[@troyrambo6804]

Wedges wedges wedges, I have so many wedges. 5 sets of 3 with variety of bounces and lofts. I'm a bit of a Ho when it comes to wedges. Most of my sets have a high and Med bounce option. One set is all High bounce for wet or sloppy conditions but none of my sets have low bounce. I used to use low bounce when I thought that it was the way to go because pros played that way and over time I have learned that bounce is your friend. Now I prefer a lot more of it.

[@IMon503]

Ian/Mikey - I got fitted for 2 Yururi tour wedges by your pal and fellow blue nose, Jamie Mccormack earlier this year. 56/12 bent to 58/14 and 53/5 bent to 54/6. They have heat heel relief and narrow sole, which I'm totally loving. The 56 has definitely improved my chipping and pitching round the green as it is so versatile

[@mikemartysiewicz]

Sorry about that 😂 glad they’re working out

[@jaychamberlin395]

I just started watching your channel about 3 months ago. I haven’t been able to play much golf over the past few years. I pretty much had lost my swing and was completely lost for a while. But I have to say that I have learned a lot of things that I was not aware of after I started watching your videos. Really want to thank you and everyone that takes part in them for breaking everything down so that everyone can understand what is going on. I would really like to see if you could do a show or two about 7 and 9 woods. It’s something that I believe I need to add to my bag. I have some pretty serious issues with my back which in turn forces me to stand more upright at address. So you can imagine how that is affecting my game. I can still manage a decent amount of rotation. Thanks for all the information you give out, it has really helped.

[@Ryan.F86]

Here in Florida, we can experience sopping wet soft, to sun-baked firm lies on the same hole, multiple times a round. Seems like a mid bounce in the 10 degree range suits what I play. Sand is usually fluffy too.

[@charlieodom9107]

You also need to take the person into account. For example, I need more bounce due to my tendency to take larger divots.

[@johnhabblegram4846]

I can agree about the FL part. That’s been my question and problem finding the right wedges as well.

[@3rdgroove]

or use low bounce on the 60 and high bounce on the 56...

[@charlieodom9107]

@@3rdgroove in all reality, most players do better with high bounce wedges. Only really good players, think scratch golfers, should be using low bounce wedges. There is just too much variability in a low bounce wedge for the average player. The average player needs consistency.

[@3rdgroove]

@@charlieodom9107 Well, I disagree with your typecasting but that's beside my point. If you have two different bounces in the bag you are prepared for any type of lie, and you don't have to compromise. Even players who profit from a high bounce will appreciate a low bounce from a wet bunker, tight clay etc. And vice-versa, the low bounce player appreciates the high bounce from fluffy sand or a ball sitting on top of fluffy rough.

[@ThinkingMan482]

Really helpful video. Explains why I prefer the feel of low bounce wedges. Our public course can be a bit firm and the high bounce gets clunky and makes it hard to get the clean contact you want.

[@bradfordcotta5925]

I have 3 58 degree wedges with 3 different bounces. One has 6 degrees, one has 10 degrees, and one has 14 degrees. When I play my home course, I use the 14 degree bounce since it is bermuda grass fairways and rough (so, relatively soft) and fluffy bunkers. My buddy's course has inconsistent bunker sand but bermuda fairways so I use my 10 degree bounce wedge there because it is versatile. And, when I travel to courses that are going to have tighter lies or less sand in the bunker (like links courses), I bring my 6-degree bounce wedge. You are so right - the bounce means everything on high-lofted wedges.

[@johnk.atchley5079]

Thanks for this. Very interesting. I think it explains why, for example, a 60 degree lob wedge with an 8 degree bounce that produces a nice soft 45 yard pitch with a given length of backswing at the range off a mat (following Gareth Reflewski's guidance on vertical shaft aligned with sternum, leaning sternum slightly forward, and hitting the mat an inch or two behind the ball) will often produce only 35 yards out on the course when the ball is lying in soft fairway grass or the first cut of rough. The difference in surface leads to a strike higher on the face and thus produces less distance and less spin. So when faced with the need for that same 45 yard pitch in that lie on the course, given the same length of backswing, it would be better to use a 56 degree sand wedge with a 12 degree bounce because the higher bounce is more likely to produce a strike lower on the face, giving more distance and more spin. There are other factors, of course, like 56 vs 60 degree loft and like just how long the grass is, whether it is wet or dry, and whether the grain is growing with or against the strike.

[@glennwiebe5128]

My 52° has 8°, 56° has 10°, and my 60° has 6°. On each wedge, and my pw, I ground the heel down on the back of the bounce. This is to prevent the leading edge from rising up when the face is opened. Before polishing, the ground area looks very much like a tear drop, with the pointy end pointing toward the toe. I'm sure all the pros start their wedges like and finish with their favourite sole grind.

[@cryptoking8060]

I play a firm links course so low bounce is essential for me. I'm a leading edge wedge player though my buddies are more bounce players. I've always had a shallow delivery as well so these are definitely considerations when choosing a wedge. I like low for 58, mid for 54 and mid for the 50. Great video as this is how you score so imo wedge selection and other wedge variables are the key to become a good scorer.

[@Tywithay]

I think the indoor wedge fitting is where working with an experienced fitter really shows its worth. My wedges were fit by Brad Syslo, who has tons of experience with Taylormade and now CC, and we spent the first 15 minutes of the fit talking about the conditions I would see back home. He then was able to take that information and apply it to the numbers he was seeing from the mat to come up with the ideal setup.

[@thomasgoode7322]

Most important clubs to get fit in your whole bag, imo. Instant and profound improvement to feel and shot making. (Obviously, get fit for everything, but wedges 100% essential)

[@Pgdgolfer]

Nice vid lads. Simple explanation of what bounce does with diff types of conditions. Went from playing a 60 04 digging machine to a dialled in 60 10 myself. All about ‘Turf interaction’ as the pros like to say….

[@crispygolf2986]

I have a 60 with 4 degrees of bounce in order to hit low shot with high spin, as well as for all the tricky around the green shots where they might be tight or I have to open the face to get more loft

[@matthewkodamaADG]

My high loft setup is Vokey SM8 58-12D and Zipcore 64-8. The 58-12 is my all-around wedge and the 64-8 is my “firm turf” wedge in addition to being the specialty club.

[@MrRatFinkster]

Very interesting - my 54/14 sand wedge out here in the Alberta prairies or mountains often ends up with me getting really unclean strikes because I feel the bounce is kicking the leading edge of the club into the equator of the ball, but then my 58/10 + c-grind creates a cleaner strike if I don't dig it.

[@ThD040]

Great video as always guys. I am playing 50-10s, 54-12w and 58-10s. The 50 goes in and out of the bag depending on the course with the UW from the set. Currently looking at the c-grind from Callaway for my 54 and 58.

[@brianfuhrer2359]

Great explanation and can see how you can fit wedges indoors for good results.

[@Not.Satoshi]

A discussion on the different grinds would be awesome. I have some very old vokey wedges that are past due for an update but every time I go to do it all the grind option makes my head spin and I walk away without purchase. I just go back to hitting my old trusty wedges with dull grooves. I don’t even know what grinds I currently have.

[@cdolson5889]

I'm a sweeper and playing in fairly firm SoCal, so my low bounce LW is always my standby. My SW has a full bounce, the problem is I never remember to use it the rare occasions it's softer out!

[@RogueSquidward]

I was told that as someone who sweeps the ball, I need a low bounce. I use 8° in my 52 and 56 and 10 in my 60 and it’s worked wonders for me. Maybe a fitting could dial it more but I’m happy.

[@jvenditti102]

Would you test a same loft CBX vs RTX or something similar to that? Maybe even a set PW vs a 46° “specialty” wedge or whatever the equivalent loft would be?

[@allancameron9580]

Fascinating stuff as always, and great to hear how the two extremes in bounce felt so different off the two different ‘turf’ conditions as well as seeing the varying numbers produced.

[@joelcrow]

higher on sand wedge and lower on gap wedge gives me the feel of consistency between 9, p and gap, as well as giving me a nice lifting sole for fluffy lies and bunkers! It matters what course conditions you play though…that is key to feel.

[@DavidPetryk]

very nice video that many golfers should take the time to watch

[@Brolicherbs]

Great stuff!! I recently switched from high to low bounce in my wedges as my game has evolved, but kept one of the high bounce old wedges around so that I have something to fool around with. Will also test some mid-bounce units over the winter, hopefully. That soft turf you have in the studio looks really nice!

[@davidlewisTN]

Been waiting for this. Got three SM7s. 50-12, 54-10 and 58-8.

[@chico3136]

Great test! Would like to see this same test around the greens as well.

[@prex345]

10 degree in 54 and 58 is my preference, in gap wedge I go with the set wedge until we get into hard pan season, I use a 7 degree gap wedge and it definitely helps.

[@paulmoscicki2038]

Thank you this video, this is so educational. Just to learn that the average tour sand wedge has 14 degrees of bounce. I am not sure why bounce and grind are so under publicized, yet so important.

[@robcoates5253]

Can't wait for a little help from the lads on my wedges.

[@heathrush2793]

How in the world do y’all always post something right as I’m researching it myself? I’m binging Vokey videos and online fitting tools currently. Have you accessed the algorithms!? Great vid as always guys.

[@jcstreck74]

Another great and informative video. Thanks guys. I live in AZ and for the most part we have firmer turf due to our dryness. I have 8* bounce on my 50 & 54 SM7’s and believe it’s a nice tweener yet a little more towards the less bounce version which we saw be the right option in your firm turf test. I guess I got lucky, because when I bought them last summer I didn’t really know anything really about this.

[@davidterrie7661]

Greatest wedge shot of my life was with a Hogan SureOut beast in a club match. Off wet clay hardpan, under tree limbs, 30 yards over bunker to short side pin. Needed birdie to extend match. Six feet past, sank putt to win hole. Sure would have been easier with a modern wedge.

[@brucecrouch802]

Most of the courses we have in Australia are tight lies (not Links Tight in the main but tight). I agree that based on conditions the skilled player will adjust delivery to suit but having the right bounce for your conditions is very helpful. I have always found 8 degrees gives me the best of all worlds for our conditions and I have never had any issue playing 8 degrees in Scotland and Ireland with very similar delivery. The few times I have played in the US though I have found it would have been better to be carrying 10+ degrees for my higher loft wedges.

[@dudosmokokos]

Excellent video. Very helpful.

[@swingking83]

Would like to see the 10* added to this test and how you would you play 10* & 16* bounce on the firm turf when you have to go play those courses on the random occasions you do. I know a lot of people play soft courses and then summer time or a trip to the desert presents firm conditions they aren’t use to and the bounce isn’t suited for that. I think it would be great to show the audience how they could effectively use higher bounce wedges

[@justinhughes5663]

Please do a low bounce/high bounce review out on the course . Your gonna get the best results on the course. Hitting off the matt it's more forgiving and you can get more backspin.

[@doronneuhaus30]

Would love to have this info together with a discussion on grind and how that impacts real bounce

[@mistergeeky]

would love to hear more about bounce and sand (hard, soft, wet, etc).

[@marklaborde3540]

Please test some of the Vokey Wedgeworks K and T grinds! Thanks.

[@marcuszettergren8885]

There is nothing like the few days where you feel that every shot within 100 yards is a chance of an up and down. Wedge play is 99% about confidence. You can have Stricker use a broomstick and it will be allright, but you could also have the old Dustin Johnson with the best wedges in the world and he couldn't stiff it within 20 feet. I have always said that doing wedge practice on the range mats with range balls is a tremendous waste of time. Especially here in the north where we might have dry fairways two weeks per season. The amount of people i play with that carry a 6 bounde 56 degree wedge here is astounding. I tell the pro at my club every time to get out there and talk to his members about it.

[@andrewcollierichards]

Obviously an older video but just re the mic position, if you point it downwards (BBC style) you still get a crisp sound and reduce the breathy plosiveness that can contact the mic capsule.

[@charlesclark4556]

Can you do a video explaining grinds and benefits of the different ones. Cheers!

[@aidansalmon2273]

I spent a year with a 14° bounce sand wedge and hated it when I was anywhere in the fairway. Now I have a low bounce wedge I bought for $10 that suits my game perfectly. If I’m ever in the rough that I don’t feel confident with I just grab the gap wedge from my set and lighten up a bit

[@HamuelTheGrey]

Hi aiden. do you have a sweeping swing? or a slightly downward attack swing? wondering if I should get a 56/10 or 56/14. I plan on using it for both long and close chips

[@aidansalmon2273]

@@HamuelTheGrey steep at the time

[@golf007sd2]

Great info....HOWEVER, the effect of bounce on "Artificial Grass" must be taken into consideration on the topic; hence, impact and wedge will have a different result. In addition, wet/mushy grass will have a profound effect on the bounce; thus if a player is playing in such condition he/she will need MORE bounce.

[@TTT-Turbo]

Hi Ian, My wedges are 09 bounce and great around lanark, But as you know Lanark being built on sand plays very links like. Go and play else where and strugle with the wedges. Might need to buy 2 sets lol. Or even when its been raining anywhere mine dig a bit, Dy summers theres no way I can use high bounce around Lanark tho! tried it and knifed a few.

[@axelbahr5795]

Simply brilliant 👍

[@bigomondis104]

Curious on how attack angle plays into this. My buddy takes big divots, where I barely take any divot.

[@zacharymilos392]

I normally play about 12* bounce on wedge. When I played uber firm turf when I played links, I seriously struggled and felt like I could not get the proper contact. Now I know why!!

[@loondoo]

Fascinating stuff as always gents! I’m going from a 50/54/58 degree wedge setup, (10 degrees of bounce on each wedge) to a 50/55/60 degree setup because I’m finding I need a little more stopping power of the 60 vs 58, so I thought I’d space out the gapping as well. The 60 degree is the new Callaway Full Face 60/12 wedge. Question: I’m deciding whether to get a 56/12 degree/bounce full face wedge and have it bent to 55/11 degree/bounce or get a 54/12 and have it bent to 55/13 degree/bounce. I generally play in the Northeastern US on bent greens/fairways with conditions that can get a bit wet, (and I’ve been known to hit some chunker chip/pitch shots, ha). I’ve been using my 54/10 MD5 JAWS wedge as a bunker wedge option and I’m thinking the extra bounce might help out of the bunkers, but either way the new wedge will have more bounce than my current 54/10. I rarely take more than a 9 O’ clock swing with my 60 and 54 degree wedges. Which would you recommend? Thanks guys, wishing you all a great holiday season ahead!!

[@babaffos]

Shoes looking crispy Matty boy

[@darronhart7315]

Guys I just recently changed my wedges from low to standard and have noticed a huge improvement in my wedge and chipping play.

[@DavidSmith-lo7wf]

Noticed you guys brought up Pinehurst again. When are we going to see those vlogs? Did I miss them?... Assuming there are some...

[@billmcgloin487]

Really interesting numbers. I’m just about to buy new wedges as new new p790 irons PW has stronger loft, so dropping wedge loft to accommodate. Now need to think bounce for Scottish links courses. Also, loving the Galvin Green new season midlayers, looking forward to you wearing the green one😀

[@mattbellingham6190]

Great video as always boys. I was recently fitted into three SM8s (50-12F, 54-12S and 60-8M). Honestly, the combination of bounce and grinds has been amazing, pitching, chipping and bunker play has been my biggest weakness but is now my strength. Love the different options and the 60 out of our firmer bunkers feels like cheating!

[@Skye_the_toller]

not sure how to interpret this test as it been done on the same short grass... would like to see the same test outside to learn more... thanks!

[@malcolmosborne6765]

All these tests on carpet golf courses are. Mown grass therefore not true test or demo

[@mitchhamilton5932]

I've got the zipcores in 52 and 56 both in the mid with 10 bounce works great in the 52 but kinda feel like I should went with a lower bounce in the 56

[@williag1970]

Hi guys, I found it interesting how close the low bounce was to the high bounce on the soft turf conditions compared to the hard turf. Also night and day between the 2 wedges on the hard turf. Playing in the UK mainly on parkland but firm conditions I find the low bounce is great for me. In the winter I'll go to a mid bounce in my 58

[@javiervigil2511]

How does/would the v-sole come into play? That would be interesting to see how it compares to a traditional wedge or even the different grinds.

[@gilbertamthor5098]

Awesome video! Can u ever have enough wedges?

[@random_dad99]

Love the Video as always. Do have a question maybe you can help with. So got fitted after playing again after 20 years. Got fitted for a Cleveland 60 CBX 2 and normal Gap and Sand wedge from Callaway. Should a high handicap player have specialty wedges or factory stock wedges. Hope this makes since. Thanks for any help.

[@MrCookTM]

Depends on how you use them. Having a set gap wedge makes sense in most cases since it's usually more of a full swing club. For the sand wedge, if you use it around the greens I'd probably opt for CBX2 there as well. If it's a full swing club for you, set SW is fine. Good wedges btw, I opted for CBX2 in the gap wedge before going ingo blades wedges in SW and LW, and it's a well performing and forgiving wedge.

[@JoeMagician]

Matty doing Gareth's lessons proud with these shots

[@ianmock2]

I'm curious if you can change your technique with difference bounces to accommodate soft or hard turf. For instance, lean the shaft and trap a higher bounce wedge on hard turf, or opening up a lower bounce wedge on softer turf (increasing the effective bounce). I think we see the pros do this around the green all the time, but I wonder how much difference it actually makes.

[@MichaelShinosky]

S400 vs x100 straight in for wedges please. Plus x100 soft stepped, s400 tipped, and tiger stepping and spinner config as shown on WRX please.

[@ryantracy8924]

I’m a high school golf coach building up an indoor practice area and I would love to know what you guys used to build the hitting area to make it more like actual turf. Thanks!

[@rustyslife2k24]

I would like to know if Matt is still using the Gareth pitching technique of striking the ground 2 inches before the ball in this test.

[@t3golf]

I was playing a 60*10 and had the loft reduced to 58. All things considered, with the bounce change by roughly 2°, or would it be more like 1 or 1.5? I also had a grind put on it, so I’m sure that affected the bounce even more, but it sure did make all the difference in the world. I love it now.

[@kourt2469]

Loft and bounce will change at a 1:1 ratio. So 2 degrees less loft = 2 degrees less bounce

[@D.WhiteJr]

I love my 60-4. But I do think I want to change my 56-8m and get rid of my 60 K grind for a 56-12 bent down to 55-11.

[@JearKrub]

Been waiting

[@noahstarr1120]

i could listen to ian say bounce on repeat

[@abdhashmi]

so whats the point of the wider vs narrow sole? how does it affect bounce? what conditions does it help in? generally high bounce for soft turf and deep sand. low bounce for tight lies and less-deep sand? But wehre does wide and narrow sole fit in?

[@tbaumann18]

How would these results differ with someone who is more shallow?

[@SmooshedEm]

So if I'm not mistaken, the umbrella statement for bounce is that more bounce is good for softer conditions and less bounce is good for firmer conditions? And, there is varying degrees of versatility within the different levels of bounce? Did I get that right, or am I way off?

[@OT0T]

would of been great if you took the test outside onto a grass range/ course to see turn interaction

[@assafarbiser6958]

I have a Vokey 60 degree with 10 bounce and absolutely love it but I am currently using my Cobra Rad Speed sand wedge and looking to change to specialist sand wedge. What kind of bounce (if any) would the rad speed sand wedge have? Thanks

[@brandonwatts5667]

Hi guys - pretty new player here (been playing since the beginning of summer). I live in the USA (midwest), and play medium firmness fairways most of the season but late into summer, they really get firm. The bunkers here are like cement. I am looking to purchase a 50, 54, and 60. I am struggling to reverse engineer the video, to decide which bounce will be right for me. On wedges, I brush the ground and don't take divots HOWEVER, if I get steep and dig the club in the ground, I am able to stop the ball a lot quicker once it lands.

[@dabaumga]

Mid bounce would probably be a safe bet

[@geelee3801]

The tour players have an advantage of being able to get a different set of wedges for every course they play depending on the variety of turf. For the average joe that doesn’t have that luxury had to pick one that fits every course we play.

[@ThunderMk2]

When you say low bounce produces higher strikes on the face with less spin, is thst only relevant to soft to medium fairways? From this test it looked like it switched going from one turf type to the next. Does vertical gearing play a part in roll over?

[@ricardoraposo3630]

Don't know if this question even makes sense but what about bounce in regular irons? is that a thing?

[@toddblythe9104]

Could a low bounce, wide sole like a Callaway low bounce W be an answer for both firm and soft turf?

[@blakeg.1093]

I sometimes wonder what is classified as firm or soft turf. Is there medium turf? I could say that I play mostly on firm conditions yet someone else coming from another area may say they think it feels fairly soft. All I know is I sure don't see divots on my course like you see on the PGA

[@L1GHTHECANDLE]

Great video but what about the rough!!!!?? And green side rough

[@The_sunday_lout]

Would you suggest a varied, wedge set up? I currently game x 2 Vokey wedges 52* 8* F grind (turned down to 51*) 58* 8* F grind My course is an inland links, really tight fairways, ground pretty solid, hence the low bounce. Pretty proficient at fanning the face open to create more bounce but sometimes I struggle with the 50-100 yard pitch from the fluffier rough. I was thinking turning the 52* down to 50* to help fill gap to PW (currently 20 yards) Leave 58* as is but buy a 54* with 12/14* of bounce to give me more versatility and also fill gap between 52*/58* What’s your thoughts guys?

[@tellwilliams2551]

I live in Elkhart Indiana we have a lot of golf courses here that are dirt that’s right I said dirt nothing to head off of so based on what you’re saying here we should have all of her irons with thinner souls less balance is that correct

[@TheBradleyp63]

I play on a course that's not that well maintained and we have a lot of hard pan. A higher bounce seems to either dig or be thins, but a lower bounce produces better shots when struck pure. I find myself chipping with pw or 9. What are your thoughts?

[@jtuds]

Where can you get an outdoor wedge fitting really? Most brands that come to your course just set up a tent on the range. Most fitting studio’s aren’t going to meet you at your course and they don’t have outdoor facilities at their locations. Maybe if you go to one of the courses where there’s a comprehensive fitting center setup….?

[@craigedga4r]

Iain MD Norman Drew low bounce links set 50 2deg 55 3 deg 602 deg 👍👍👍

[@toddlittle926]

The difficulty comes over the variables, first the lie, second the delivery, third usage of club face. Bounce variables can be heavily influenced by a pair of great hands

[@josephfrietze2762]

Effective bounce? I think that’s the first time I’ve heard that on the channel

[@davehurley26]

Can you have too much bounce? I'm playing 50.12f 54.14F 58.10S

[@dbeasleyphx]

Miss the green in City of Phoenix muni courses and you’re hitting off of hard pan caliche… steep swing w no bounce is the only way.

[@txterbug]

I think I’m going to switch from the 60M to the 60D

[@coreyvanular6195]

Trying a 56 degree 14 bounce I find the courses I play are pretty wet

[@gatorwhiskers9011]

10 degrees

[@freddym6643]

Guess I'll keep waiting for my mid bounce t22 c grind instead of switching to x grind. Lawsuit taking its sweet time...

[@wolfyand1]

I would change my name for one day to Matt , just to get fit by Ian so he can say to me "alright matty boy"