What does "Bounce" refer to when buying golf clubs?

Question

When purchasing golf clubs, wedges in particular, a freind was asked what "Bounce" type he was looking for. What exactly is "Bounce?"

Answer 1

it is the bottom edge of wedges, and it can vary in degrees.

Answer 2

Bounce  usually is confined to wedges and refers to manner in which the club extricates a ball from sand or off turf by the manner with  which it penetrates either medium. If the flange ( sole) of the club is wide it will penetrate less and will be a club with  much  bounce. As the sole gets thinner the club will have a tendency to penetrate more so it has less bounce. Better players can take lofted clubs with thin soles and have them skim the surfaces of sand or turf as if the soles were designed for the most bounce. Bounce is both from the function of the club and the skill of the player.

Answer 3

I'll tell you what bounce is this way.  Say you ha dan ordinary lawn shovel and on the bottom of the shovel near the front you were to weld a piece of metal 3 inches high and all across the bottom of the shovel.  When you went to dig with that shovel so altered you would find that you could only dig so deep because the part you welded on would stop you from going deeper. That is what bounce does on the bottob of your irons.

Answer 4

the bounce is the angle at the bottom of the wedge. they can be 0 to say 12. most sand wedges have anywhere in there. the higher bounce allows the club to get thru the sand and not dig in.

Answer 5

BS -

Bounce is a measurement in degrees of the angle from the front edge of a club's sole to the point that actually rests on the ground at address. The middle or rear of many soles is lower than the front edge. Bounce is most commonly applied to wedges. More bounce will keep the club from digging too deeply into turf or sand.

The amount of bounce needed depends on conditions. If you play courses with soft, fluffy sand, you'll need more bounce. If the courses you play typically have harder sand, you'll need less bounce. Playing from fairway - less bounce.

The type of swing can influence the amount of bounce needed, too. Players who swing their wedges steeply into impact need more bounce. Players who sweep through and undercut need less bounce.

Good Luck!