Definition of Golf Club Bounce

In 1931, professional golfer Gene Sarazen designed the first sand wedge by building up solder on the sole of a niblick (comparable to a 9 iron today). By doing so, he created what is now called bounce.

Bounce, also known as sole inversion, is associated with sand wedges and allows the club to glide, or bounce, through the sand rather than dig into it.

On a golf course with soft turf and fluffy sand, wedges with more bounce help prevent the club from digging into the ground and causing a chunked, or fat, shot. On the other hand, if you play on a course with firmer sand in the bunkers, use wedges with less bounce.

Bounce is measured in degrees in relation to the ground. Sand wedges and lob wedges are typically available in 8, 10, 12 and 14 degrees of bounce, although lower bounces are available.

Changing the loft of your club also changes the angle of the sole and, therefore, the bounce. Decreasing the loft could eliminate the bounce and even create a "scoop" or "dig" sole, which would promote a fat shot.