SHORT-GAME EQUIPMENT EDUCATION
The bottom of the wedge deserves as much attention as the loft.
Two wedges with the same loft can behave differently when the sole meets turf or sand. The details of bounce, sole width, camber and grind influence how the leading edge and sole present to the surface.
What is wedge bounce?
Bounce angle is one way of describing the sole geometry relative to the leading edge. In practical terms, the sole can help the club interact with the ground rather than immediately digging, depending on delivery and surface.
What is grind?
A grind is shaping or relief applied to the sole—often around the heel, toe or trailing edge—to influence how it behaves when the face or handle position changes. Grind labels differ between manufacturers and should not be treated as a universal fitting code.
How playing conditions affect the choice
Soft turf and sand: think about the risk of digging and how a sole may resist it.
Firm lies: consider leading-edge access, how low the ball sits, and how the wedge delivers.
Open-face shots: heel relief and overall sole geometry can affect how close the leading edge can sit to the surface.
How technique changes the effective result
Handle lean, shaft angle, delivery and face orientation can change the way the wedge interacts with the ground. One bounce specification cannot describe every shot the club can play.
A simple comparison exercise
On a permitted practice area, use two wedges from the same kind of lie. Hit a small series toward the same landing area. Notice where the sole contacts the turf, how often contact is heavy or thin, and whether you can repeat the shot. The goal is to compare behavior, not determine a universal “best wedge.”
What’s coming
A public, interactive wedge bounce and grind visualizer is planned for Swing Evaluation. Until it is ready, this guide and our developing wedge drill library are the free starting points.