There are many players who are not familiar with the wedge bounce and don’t know what it is or how to use it. However, the bounce can actually come in handy when you’re pitching and chipping. It’s often used as a backup plan of sorts. When things go wrong it can allow the player to strike the ball properly even despite the fact that they’re not using the perfect technique.
If you’ve spoken with an experienced player, then they’ve probably claimed that the majority of golfers will definitely gain a lot by using a wedge that offers more bounce, however, every golfer is different and because of this, it’s very important to understand whether or not the bounce can help your game out.
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Do You Need More Bounce?
There are many different types of clubs, and several types of wedges to choose from. Finding the right wedge that offers the perfect bounce can be a total gamechanger.
If you’re somewhat experienced, then you may have already spent a lot of time and money finding the perfect clubs to add to your set. You’ve found a good for the mid-handicapper and it had a major impact on your score, swing speed, and overall performance. But what does a wedge have to offer?
The term wedge bounce refers to the angle that’s between the sole of the club and the ground when the club is held correctly at address. The point of the bounce is to prevent the club’s leading edge from digging into the ground, which is why it works as an excellent backup plan.
Why it Works
Hitting the ball heavy with a wedge is one of the biggest problems most golfers make at one point or another. But if you’re new to the game it can be hard to determine which club is right for you. Many beginners are not aware of the type of bounce their wedges offer, however, it’s actually crucial to get the right type of bounce based on your swing and the conditions you usually play in. If you normally play on green that’s very firm, then you’ll want to use a wedge that offers less bounce. On the other hand, golfers who tend to pick the ball clean and have a shallow swing will benefit from using a wedge that has more bounce.
The reason behind this is very simple. The more bounce the club offers, the less you’ll have to deal with the club digging into the ground. This is especially true if you’re playing on very firm turf or if your swing is shallow and you pitch or chip the ball.
If you have a steeper angle of attack with your wedge or you play regularly on a course that has softer conditions than you’ll want a wedge that offers more bounce.
More often than not a golfer tends to fall in the latter category. This means that most players will gain with a wedge that offers more bounce. This extra bounce can help prevent a club from digging into the turf.
Using the Bounce
Most players love using the bounce of their wedge in certain situations around the green especially when they’re playing in tricky conditions. Using the bounce will help the club slide under the ball which results in improved control over distance while also significantly reducing the player’s margin of error.
But in order to engage the bounce when you’re playing with these types of clubs, you have to focus on how the shaft is leaning upon impact. Additionally, if your hands have been placed too far ahead of the ball, you’re basically delofting the wedge, which will activate the leading edge of the wedge. This will eliminate all of the benefits of using the bounce. And the result? Ruining a shot. This is due to the fact that the club will end up digging into the turf before you’re able to make contact with the ball.
So, when should you use the bounce? There are actually a few situations in which the bounce can hurt you or help you. If you’re on relatively firm turf, then playing a shot with a wedge that offers a high bounce can result in you blading the ball.
Fortunately, this type of condition isn’t very common on the course, which is why you can use the bounce pretty much wherever you want and it will be effective.
Proper Stance
If you plan on using the bounce on your pitch and chip shots, then don’t allow your hands to lean too far ahead of the ball at address. You’ll also want to make sure you limit how far your hands are ahead of the ball upon impact.
When you’re playing, you need to allow the bounce to do its job. As you know by now, using too much shaft lean can prevent this from happening. With a very simple swing, you’ll feel your hands arrive to the ball at the same time as the clubhead. Most of the time, it can be difficult to determine exactly what you’re doing with your technique which is why working with a seasoned player or an instructor can show you where you’re going wrong and can also tell you more about your swing speed and how to improve it. To start, simply focus on limiting your shaft lean at impact for shots that you’re trying to engage the bounce.
Final Thoughts
If you want to learn how to use the wedge check out the current wedges you have to determine what type of bounce you’re playing with. If you normally have issues with making direct contact it can make sense to play with a wedge that offers more bounce. Keep in mind, using the right stance at address and limiting shaft lean can have a significant impact on your performance and will allow you to use the bounce more effectively. The bounce itself will work to lower your score and reduce your margin of error around the green.
