Bounce
The angle between the leading edge and the lowest point of a wedge's sole - it stops the club from digging into turf and sand.
Bounce is the angle between the leading edge of a wedge and the lowest point of its sole, measured in degrees. It is the feature that keeps the club from digging into the ground. The trailing edge sits lower than the leading edge, so the sole skids along the turf or sand rather than knifing into it.
Wedges are commonly described as low bounce (4–6 degrees), mid bounce (7–10 degrees), or high bounce (10+ degrees). The right amount depends on two things: the turf and sand you usually play, and how steeply you swing into the ball. Steep, divot-taking swingers and soft conditions call for more bounce; shallow, sweeping swingers and firm, tight conditions call for less.
Too little bounce on a steep swing or soft turf and the leading edge digs, producing fat shots and chunks. Too much bounce on a shallow swing or firm ground and the sole skips off the surface, producing thin shots and bladed skulls. Matching bounce to your delivery and your course is what makes a wedge feel reliable.
Bounce works hand in hand with sole grind. The grind shapes how the bounce behaves when you open the face or play different shots, which is why the two specs are always fitted together.