Selecting proper bounce for my SM4's

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By george t

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  • 5 Replies
  1. george t

    george t
    Old Lyme, CT

    I'm about to order new SM4 wedges, and will likely go for a straight up replace of what I currently have, but I'm a little naive when it comes to wedge bounce. I currently have 52* 08*, 56* 11* and 60* 07*. My home course, where I play 90% of my rounds, has firm fairways, if not down right hard pan in some areas. The fringe areas around the greens can vary from lush to hard pan as well.  And the greenside bunkers are in the process of being re-vamped with softer sand, but there are still some pretty firm traps on the course, perfect for that bladed shot from the wedge bouncing off the ground.

    I'm set on the lofts, but is this a pretty reasonable array of bounce? Or should I consider something else, and if so, why?

    Thanks

  2. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    george t said:

    I'm about to order new SM4 wedges, and will likely go for a straight up replace of what I currently have, but I'm a little naive when it comes to wedge bounce. I currently have 52* 08*, 56* 11* and 60* 07*. My home course, where I play 90% of my rounds, has firm fairways, if not down right hard pan in some areas. The fringe areas around the greens can vary from lush to hard pan as well.  And the greenside bunkers are in the process of being re-vamped with softer sand, but there are still some pretty firm traps on the course, perfect for that bladed shot from the wedge bouncing off the ground.

    I'm set on the lofts, but is this a pretty reasonable array of bounce? Or should I consider something else, and if so, why?

    Thanks

    These are all moderate bounces.  I have 54-11 and 60-10 (bent 1* strong) and 64-07.   I have no problem with firm sand or hardpan with the 54 and 60 since I play with a less open face or back in the stance.  I tend to use my 60 more in hard sand but I can also play it in soft sand.  The M grind lends itself to versatility.

  3. Cameron D

    Cameron D
    Newport, RI

    George, 

    This will depend on if you are are digger, sweeper, or somewhere in between.  If you are in between, then I would say you have a good array of bounce.  If you are a sweeper, I would consider a lower bounce in your 60* and maybe a lower bounce in the 56*.  The only issue is that you will still want to maintain some bounce in your 56*, assuming your bunkers become less firm.  I only say lower in your 56* if you are currently a sweeper (picker) and the bunkers stay very firm.  More bounce will help you if you have a digger swing style.  

    If you aren't sure what swing style you are.  Have a Club Fitter take a look at your current set make up and how you interact with the turf.  This will help determine if you need to change your bounce.  I would say currently you have close to a neutral bounce make up and could get away with it, again, assuming you don't have an extreme sweeper swing style.

    Cameron

    1-888-TITLEIST 

  4. george t

    george t
    Old Lyme, CT

    Cameron,

    Thank you for your response.

    Overall, I'm pretty happy with my wedges, I'd just like to go into this purchase with a better idea of what I'm ordering.  

    I'd say I'm closer to a sweeper than a digger.  I think, for versatility, I'm going to stick with the 52* 08* & 56* 11*, but I guess my only remaining question would be what is the risk of going to the 60* 04*, over the 07*?  Digging in to the ground?  Hitting fat?  Is the 04* bounce really best suited for firm conditions?  What about thick rough, on the short side of the green?  Open up the 56*?

    Thanks.

  5. Cameron D

    Cameron D
    Newport, RI

    George, 

    The less bounce, for sweeper style players, will help on the firm conditions.  When you have more bounce, on firm conditions, the leading edge will rise up and can make it more difficult to properly move through the turf (causing bladed/inconsistent shots).  For players that are diggers, the less bounce will tend to dig too much on them and the will see a lot of shots hit fat/heavy.  You want to choose the bounce that will best suit your game and your course conditions.  In the rough, you still shouldn't have an issue with less bounce, since you are going through thick grass and not digging too much into the turf.

    Hope this helps.  Let me know if you still have any other questions.

    Cameron

    1-888-TITLEIST 

  6. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    The bounce on a 58-04, 60-04, 62-07 or 64-07 may be a bit misleading.  I had a SM c-c 58-04 and had no problem in soft sand.  Correct me if I'm wrong, Cathi, but isn't the bounce "average" (if you laid the club perfectly vertical it would measure fore to aft at advertised but really may be +10* forward bounce and -6* aft bounce to = 4* effective).

    The leading edge on these clubs actually has a substantial amount of bounce. 

    I find it easier to pick the ball off a tight lie with the SM4 60-10 vs a 64-07 because of the sole grind. I also remember having to deloft the SM2 64-07 to hit it off a tight lie.  I used to have a SM c-c 62-07 and could hit it on a wide variety of conditions.

    Also, it is fairly easy to pick the ball with the 52-12, 54-14 or 56-14 off a tight lie because it is a full sole profile.  I debounce it a bit by leaning the shaft forward.

    I'm one of those that plays a sliding shot or digging shot as the need dictates.

    The old 260-04 or SM60-04 had full sole profiles and I actually could dig a rather good hole with them.

     

     

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