Bounce and Grind: The Two Words on Your Wedge You Need to Understand
For most golfers, a wedge is just a wedge. They know the loft-52, 56, 60 degrees-and that's about it. But stamped on the sole of that club are other numbers and letters that hold the real secret to a great short game: the bounce and the grind.
Look, we've all been there. You have a perfect lie in the fairway, 80 metres out, and you chunk your wedge shot. Or you have a delicate flop shot and you thin it over the green. Often, these mis-hits aren't entirely your fault; you might be using a wedge that is poorly suited to your swing or the course conditions.
Understanding bounce and grind is like a seasoned mechanic understanding their tools. It allows you to select the right wedge for the job, giving you the confidence to hit a wider variety of shots with much more consistency.
What is Bounce?
In simple terms, bounce is the angle between the leading edge of the wedge and the lowest point of the sole.
Think of it like the hull of a boat. A boat's curved hull allows it to glide on top of the water, not dig into it. The bounce on your wedge does the same thing with the turf or sand. It's the part of the club that "bounces" off the ground, preventing the sharp leading edge from digging in too deep.
Bounce is measured in degrees, and wedges generally come in three categories:
- Low Bounce (4-8 degrees): Best for firm, fast turf conditions and tight lies. A low bounce wedge is also great for players with a shallow, "sweeping" angle of attack. It's versatile for opening up the face to hit high, soft flop shots.
- Mid Bounce (9-12 degrees): This is the great all-rounder. It's the most versatile option and works well in a wide variety of conditions for most swing types. If you're not sure what you need, a mid-bounce sand wedge is a safe and effective bet.
- High Bounce (13+ degrees): Best for soft, lush turf and fluffy, deep sand. A high bounce wedge is a lifesaver for players with a steep, "digging" angle of attack, as it provides maximum forgiveness and stops the club from getting stuck.
What is Grind?
If bounce is the angle of the sole, grind is the shape of the sole.
Wedge manufacturers strategically remove material from the heel, toe, or trailing edge of the sole. This "grind" changes how the wedge interacts with the turf, especially when you manipulate the clubface. A standard, flat sole is great for a square-faced, full-swing shot. But when you open the face to hit a flop shot, that wide sole can lift the leading edge dangerously high off the ground, risking a bladed shot.
A grind allows you to open the face while keeping the leading edge closer to the ground, giving you the versatility to hit creative shots. There are many different names for grinds, but they generally offer more or less versatility.
How to Choose What's Right for You
- Know Your Swing: Are you a "Digger" who takes big divots (steep), or a "Sweeper" who barely brushes the grass (shallow)? Diggers need more bounce for forgiveness. Sweepers need less bounce to ensure the leading edge can get under the ball.
- Know Your Conditions: Do you typically play on soft, wet courses or firm, dry ones? Soft courses call for more bounce. Firm courses require less bounce.
- Know Your Shots: Are you a player who just hits standard, square-faced chips and pitches? A standard sole with mid-bounce will be perfect. Or are you a player who loves the challenge of opening the face for a high, spinning flop shot? You'll need a wedge with a more aggressive grind and likely a lower bounce.
The best advice? Get fitted. Go to a professional who has a variety of wedges and let you hit them off different lies-turf, sand, rough. Seeing how the different combinations of bounce and grind work with your unique swing is the only way to know for sure. It's a small investment that can make a huge difference to your confidence and scores around the green.
Need to see the bounce choices in action? Greenside Bunker Shots Don't Have to Be Scary shows how the sole glides through sand, and The Chunked Chip: How to Stop Duffing It Around the Greens ties bounce selection to strike control on tight lies.
How should you gap wedges and tweak the setup?
Wedge gapping isn't just loft numbers; it's how you deliver those lofts. Your setup controls dynamic loft and low point.
- From the guide Keep the ball in the same relative spot as 7‑iron for full wedge swings, but narrow the trail foot a touch for control. As the swing shortens (pitches, chips), narrow further so you can rotate in a shorter motion, which makes the ball look more “mid‑stance” without moving the lead foot.
Match that with sensible loft gaps (e.g., 4-6°) and you'll see consistent launch windows across wedges because ball position relative to the lead heel stays predictable.
What are the quick questions golfers keep asking?
Q: Why should you care about bounce numbers on a wedge?
A: Bounce keeps the club from digging. More bounce for soft sand, less for tight lies.
Q: How do you know which grind fits your short game?
A: Check your turf interaction. Deep divots prefer wider soles; nippers like slimmer grinds for versatility.