How to Use the Bounce on Your Wedge for Softer Pitch Shots

Ever hit what felt like the perfect swing—only to chunk the ball a few feet or blade it over the green? You’re not alone. Most golfers make pitching harder than it has to be.

The real problem isn’t your swing speed or your wedge. It’s that you’re not using the bounce on your club correctly.

Bounce is designed to help you—not hurt you. When used properly, it prevents digging, allows the club to glide under the ball, and helps you hit soft, consistent pitch shots.

Once you understand how bounce works, you’ll stop fearing tight lies and start sticking it close from 20 to 60 yards.

What Is Bounce? (And What Does It Actually Do?)

Bounce is the angle between the leading edge and the trailing edge (the bottom sole) of your wedge. It’s built into the club to help it interact with the turf in a forgiving way.

When your wedge hits the ground, bounce keeps the leading edge from digging in. Instead, it causes the sole of the club to skid or “bounce” through the turf, helping you slide the club under the ball cleanly.

Think of it like a safety mechanism. The bounce takes the brunt of turf contact, especially on soft ground or when your low point isn’t perfect.

The higher the bounce, the more forgiveness you have. But even wedges with low bounce can work—if you know how to set up and swing correctly.

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Common Mistakes That Prevent the Bounce From Working

Many golfers unknowingly cancel out their wedge’s bounce by setting up or swinging incorrectly. When the bounce can’t engage, the leading edge digs—and that’s when trouble starts.

The most common mistake is excessive shaft lean. When your hands are too far ahead of the ball, the leading edge sits lower than the sole, turning your wedge into a digging tool.

Another issue is playing the ball too far back in your stance. This exaggerates the downward angle, taking the bounce completely out of play.

Some golfers try to “hit down” aggressively, thinking that’s the key to clean contact. But the more you chop, the more likely you are to dig—and chunk the shot.

If your divots are deep, your shots are inconsistent, or you fear tight lies, chances are you’re not letting the bounce work for you.

Setup and Technique to Let the Bounce Do Its Job

Letting the bounce work starts with a simple setup. You don’t need to do anything fancy—just position your body and the club to let the wedge’s design do the work.

Play the ball center or slightly forward in your stance. This shallows the angle and allows the bounce to contact the turf instead of the leading edge.

Use a neutral shaft lean—hands slightly ahead of the ball, but not exaggerated. Too much lean turns your 56° wedge into a 50° digger.

Open the clubface slightly at address to expose the bounce. This is especially helpful on soft turf or when hitting higher, softer shots.

Keep your weight slightly forward, but avoid leaning too aggressively onto your front foot. The goal is balance and shallow entry—not steepness.

When you set up this way, the wedge glides through the turf naturally and delivers a softer, cleaner strike.

Swing Feel: Glide, Don’t Stab

Once you’re set up properly, your swing needs to match. The goal is to let the club glide, not stab or dig.

Start with a shallow, rotational swing. Avoid steep chopping motions or trying to hit down hard. Your chest and hips should rotate through the shot—don’t freeze your body and flip with your hands.

Keep your wrists soft and avoid jabbing at the ball. The bounce works best when the club flows naturally under the ball without tension in your hands or arms.

Instead of thinking “hit,” think “brush.” Feel the sole of the club skimming the ground, especially just after impact. That’s when you know the bounce is doing its job.

Let the club do the work—and let gravity help you, not fight you.

Practice Drills to Learn the Bounce Feel

If you’ve never felt bounce working properly, these drills will train your hands, eyes, and tempo to trust it.

Wet Grass or Mat Drill: Hit pitch shots from damp grass or a tight mat. If you dig, you’ll feel it. But when you use the bounce correctly, the club glides, and the strike feels soft.

Open-Face Glide Drill: Slightly open the wedge face and take short swings. Focus on feeling the bounce slide under the ball. It’s a great way to exaggerate the bounce and get instant feedback.

Towel in Front Drill: Place a towel 6–8 inches in front of the ball. This forces you to enter the turf cleanly and encourages a shallow, gliding path.

Use these drills to train your feel—not just your technique. The goal is to trust that the bounce is your friend.

Conclusion: Bounce Is a Built-In Safety Net—Use It

Bounce is one of the most forgiving features on your wedge—but only if you let it work. Most golfers unknowingly cancel it out with poor setup or steep swings.

Once you start using the bounce properly, you’ll notice cleaner contact, softer landings, and way fewer chunked or bladed shots around the green.

It’s not about swinging harder or getting perfect—it’s about setup, feel, and letting the wedge glide through the turf like it was designed to do.

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Thanks for reading today’s article!

Nick Foy – Golf Instructor