Beyond Bounce: Why Wedge Selection Requires More Than Numbers
Choosing the right golf wedges is a nuanced process that extends far beyond simply selecting a specific bounce angle. Whereas bounce is a critical factor, relying solely on this number can be misleading. Experts emphasize the importance of understanding how a wedge interacts with your swing and testing different options to find the optimal fit.
The Limitations of Bounce Numbers
Golfers often focus on the bounce number when selecting wedges, believing it dictates performance on different turf conditions. However, Johnny Wunder and Jake Morrow, hosts of GOLF’s Fully Equipped podcast, argue that this approach is overly simplistic. Morrow illustrated this point with his own testing experience, finding that a low-bounce wedge (Opus T) performed poorly on a tight lie, despite being theoretically suited for such conditions.
“I was hitting the Opus T, and I was on the very left side of a two-weeks-without-rain ECPC range, which is the tightest lie they have,” Morrow explained. “And with the T grind, which they say on paper and in the forums and everything, that should be the one that works, right? Because it’s super tight. You’re going to be able to nip it, but whatever. Well, the problem is for me as a steeper player, it just turns into a knife and then it doesn’t come out of the ground.”
The Importance of Blind Testing
The discrepancy between stated bounce and actual performance highlights a key issue: bounce numbers don’t always accurately reflect how a wedge will behave. Morrow suggests that blind testing, similar to the method used by Titleist for its Vokey wedge line, is the most effective way to determine the best fit. This involves testing wedges without knowing the bounce angle, allowing golfers to focus on perceive and performance.
“I’m almost at the point where I wish the bounce number would just be eliminated from wedges,” Morrow said. “Like I just wish to put the shape of the sole, whatever the grind is from each manufacturer on the bottom of them. And the blind test that Vokey does is probably the best way to do it.”
Understanding Grind and Swing Type
Modern wedge design offers a wide array of grind options from various manufacturers. The ideal grind isn’t dictated by course conditions but by a player’s individual swing characteristics. Players with steeper swing angles, for example, may benefit from different grinds than those with shallower angles. Finding the right combination requires experimentation and professional guidance.
Morrow discovered this firsthand, finding success with a higher-bounce wedge (12-degree X grind) despite its theoretical unsuitability for the tight lie. “I go, and I start hitting these like 20-yard pitches with the 12-degree X grind, which is probably the highest they have and I feel like an absolute god.”
The Ongoing Fitting Process
A club fitting doesn’t end when you order the clubs. As Johnny Wunder experienced with his Vokey SM11 wedge fitting with Titleist’s Aaron Dill, follow-up sessions are crucial for fine-tuning the equipment to your specific needs. These sessions allow fitters to adjust lofts, lies, and other parameters to optimize performance. As noted in a recent article, approximately 65-70% of golfers may need adjustments after initial fitting.
Titleist Vokey SM11 Wedges
Titleist Vokey Design’s new SM11 wedges feature a precise CG position across each grind and loft, aiming for consistent performance on every strike.
For more insights from Wunder and Morrow, listen to the full episode of GOLF’s Fully Equipped on Spotify or watch it on YouTube. To find a club-fitting location near you, visit True Spec Golf.