Bounce is a very important feature on a golf club.

The degree of bounce is a measurement in degrees from where the front edge of the sole lies to where it rests on the ground when a club is at its address position. Although all the irons in a player’s set have some degree of bounce, the importance is usually placed on the wedges.

The amount of bounce needed depends on course conditions. If you play a course with thick rough or fluffy sand, it is likely you will need more bounce. Firmer conditions or tightly packed sand will require less bounce.

The type of swing also affects the amount of bounce needed. Players who swing steeply into the ball, diggers, need more bounce.

Sweepers, or players who swing with a more shallow approach typically need less. Wedges with a high degree of bounce will have up to 16 degrees and lower bounce wedges can have as little as four.

The modern sand wedge was invented in the 1930’s by major champion, Gene Sarazen. It has been said that Sarazen came up with the idea that a club needed bounce while duck hunting.

He noticed the way the water fowl landed on the water and as their tail hit the water first, water was parted out of the way to achieve a smooth landing. This is exactly the way bounce works when playing a bunker shot. The bounce on the wedge actually moves the sand and propels the ball upward and forward.

Many players, including myself, carry multiple wedges in which the degree of bounce differs and may be used when the shot requires more or less bounce.

The three wedge system I typically play employs a 52 degree wedge with 10 degrees bounce, a 56 degree wedge with 14 degrees bounce and a 60 degree lob wedge with seven degrees bounce. I will also change wedges when playing a course where I know conditions to be exceptionally soft or firm.

Your PGA teaching professional can help you determine the amount of bounce you need depending on your personal swing type and the conditions at your home course. To be a skilled player, your wedge must be your friend, so it is important to use the correct one.

Ron Herridge is a PGA Golf Professional. He is the Director of Instruction at Walden Golf School. He is a graduate of Montgomery High School and Sam Houston State University and turned pro in 1990. He has 23 career tournament victories in amateur and professional golf.

To set up an appointment or inquire about upcoming schools and clinics, email or call Walden at 936-448-4668.