Classic Swing Golf School – To bounce or not to bounce

Today’s post is from our guest blogger, Dan  Please enjoy.

Here’s another tip from your friends at Classic Swing Golf School.

To bounce or not to bounce…that is the question.

Actually, the question is – what the heck is bounce? To understand bounce, it’s first important to understand the sand wedge.

sand iron

According to golf folklore, Gene Sarazen invented the sand wedge, in actuality, the Scots invented the sand iron back in the 19th century and it was originally a cross between a fairway iron and a shillelagh. What Sarazen did was he took the club and redesign it and brought it up to 20th century standards. The modern sand wedge has two distinguishing characteristic.  First, it’s broad angled sol which allows the leading edge of the club to be slightly higher than the sole, and secondly, additional mass in the sole.

VISIONS OF GOLF

The additional weight allows you to plow through the sand, the angle and the width of the sole create the bounce. Think of bounce of the sand wedge the same way you would the skipping of a stone across a pond. In order for the stone to skip and not just dive into the water, the stone has to have a smooth bottom and be thrown towards the water with the leading edge angled slightly up. The same thing happens with the sand wedge, the design of the club does all of the work, which is why we always hear the image of hitting a fried egg out of the trap. The bounce causes leading edge of the club to cut through the sand rather than dig into it.

If you’re stuck and can’t get out of the sand, or skulling the ball over the green from the bunker, it’s time to come and see the teaching professionals at Classic Swing Golf School, they can show you the proper way to execute the sand save and cut strokes off your score. – By Dan Defreest

 

Leave a Reply

Close Menu