I’d love to get a new 58 degree wedge. I have a 54 degree Vokey SM-14 that I hit great, but I don’t use it out of the bunker. I’d like a 58 degree I can use from different conditions, but primarily out of the bunker. The bunkers at my muni aren’t super soft fluffy sand. What bounce should I am for? 10 degrees?
The values that OEMs use for bounce aren’t necessarily “real” - just like a driver head that says 9.5 on it, might not really have 9.5 degrees of loft.
The design of the sole will have a large influence on how much of a safety net is built into the club for situations like bunkers, or deep rough to prevent digging of the leading edge. Also, how you deliver the club plays a big factor. For example, I deloft my wedges, so I need a much more forgiving sole with higher bounce on my SW to prevent the club from digging.
Long story short, it’s really impossible to say what is the right club for you. Generally speaking, you’ll want more bounce/forgiving sole design on your sand wedge. Perhaps in your situation with the sand you don’t want the most forgiving bounce/sole, but without knowing how you deliver the club it’s very difficult to say. As you’ll see in other threads, it’s best to have a discussion with someone who knows what they are doing to advise you on club selection.
Welcome to the community!
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Thanks for the reply, Jon!
I am totally with you on getting fit, unfortunately there haven’t been any fittings in my area this year. I’ve searched through Titleist’s site, as well as emailed them. I’ve also asked my local pro, but have had no luck. I am very hesitant to get fit at a local club shop, as all fitting would be off a mat, and I’m not confident it would replicate wedge conditions on-course.
Like you, I deloft my wedges. I’ve tried the increasing popular approach of using the bounce and coming in with a more vertical shaft, but I’m not a proponent of changing my swing for wedge shots. I do take a divot on 50-100 yard pitch shots, and I find the 14 degrees of bounce on my 54 degree to be great for me. I’m just not sure if this much bounce would hurt me on non-fluffy bunkers. They aren’t “concrete” level, but not that extremely light fluffy stuff you find on high-end courses. Would a higher bounce, say 12 degrees ,hurt me on this sand, or is there never really a draw back to too much bounce if you pay your sand shots with a wide open face and “slap” at it from a few inches back?
Why don’t you play the sand wedge in the sand traps at your muni? Does it prevent you from digging in behind the ball?
Most of what I’ve read suggests a lower bounce option to compliment your higher bounce sand wedge… but I think you need to find something that works for your specific sand traps.
I don’t know of a good way to pick up wedges to try out of the sand, but maybe find a high lofted wedge you like with like 8 degrees of bounce and give that a try?
I have low bounce (6*) on my 58* since I like to open it way up which adds bounce. My 52* has 10* bounce and I’ll use that on the fluffiest bunker shots to get a little extra bounce and not leave it in the trap
If they are using the right equipment they should be able to diagnose your tendencies based on your clubhead delivery.
Hey Cowabunga,
I would encourage you to try your 54 out of the bunker. I spent most of my golfing life only using my 56 and 60 degree wedges out of greenside bunkers but has I chance to spend some time with a few good players on bunker play and they use an assortment of wedges out of greenside bunkers. It all depends on the shot and distance. For example, a longer greenside bunker shot plays well into a gap wedge club selection for more distance and roll. I have been using my 54 more of late and it has improved my sand game. Also, I wouldn’t get too wrapped up in bounce degrees, just get in the practice bunkers with all your wedges, including your PW and see what works the best.
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Also, the general playing conditions have a lot to do with what bounce you use…
Example…is it soft and wet a lot or is it generally dry and hard…that would be my biggest factor, not the bunkers.
I generally do with a medium bounce for my 54° wedge and a low bounce for my 58° wedge to add more versatility to accommodate different conditions. I play at a muni also with pretty hard hard bunkers and almost always use the 58 out of them. Too much bounce could prove disastrous in hard traps.