Wedge bounce and grind, explained
Loft decides how far a wedge goes. Bounce and grind decide how its sole meets the turf and the sand, and the right choice depends on two things: how you swing (steep and digging, or shallow and sweeping) and the ground you play on (soft or firm). Titleist's Vokey team puts it the same way.
Bounce: the number on the stamp
Bounce is how much the sole sits below the leading edge, in degrees. More bounce keeps the club from digging into soft ground and sand; less bounce lets it slide under the ball on firm ground. Vokey stamps it next to the loft: a 56.10S is 56 degrees of loft, 10 degrees of bounce, S grind. Callaway's grinds run from 8 degrees (Z) to 10 (S) to 12 (X).
Grind: the shape of the sole
A grind is sole material taken away from the heel, toe or trailing edge. In Bob Vokey's words, grinds are modifications to the sole that add versatility or forgiveness. The letters differ by brand:
| Grind | What the maker says it's for |
|---|---|
| Vokey F | A full sole for full swings and square-face shots; the grind Vokey started with. |
| Vokey S | Square-face shots with a little more versatility than the F; best with simple technique. |
| Vokey M | For players who open and close the face to make shots around the green. |
| Vokey D | The player's high-bounce wedge: the M's crescent shape with more forward bounce. |
| Vokey K | The highest bounce and widest sole: the most forgiving wedge and the ultimate bunker club. |
| Vokey L | A narrow crescent for the most shot options around the green, and the least forgiving. |
| Vokey T | The narrowest sole, low bounce, for a sweeping swing. |
| Callaway Z / S / X | Z (8 degrees) acts like a skid plate; S (10) is the most versatile and common; X (12) is high bounce for steeper swings. |
| Cleveland Low / Low+ / Mid / Full | The RTX 6 ZipCore's soles: Low in 58 and 60 degrees, Low+ in 54 and 56, Mid from 46 to 60, Full from 54 to 60. |
| TaylorMade LB / LBV | Low-bounce options in the Milled Grind range, LBV for a shallow attack angle. |
Three questions that narrow it down
Do you dig or sweep?
If your divots are deep, more bounce (Vokey D or K, Callaway X) keeps the club from digging. If you barely take a divot, less bounce (Vokey L or T, Callaway Z) lets it slide under the ball.
Is your course soft or firm?
Soft turf and fluffy sand favour more bounce; firm turf and hard-packed bunkers favour less.
Do you play full shots or open the face?
For mostly full and square-face shots, a full sole (Vokey F or S) is the simple choice. If you open the face around the green, a crescent grind (Vokey M or D, or L for firm ground) keeps the leading edge low when you do.
What to check on a used wedge
Read the stamp: loft, bounce and grind are on the hosel or sole, so a listing's photos should show them. Look closely at the face: grooves wear faster on wedges than on any other club, and worn grooves spin less. And check that the loft fits your gaps: Fill my bag shows the wedge lofts that fit around your iron set.
Browse every wedge we cover, with lofts, history and current prices, or compare the Vokey SM11 and SM10.
Sources: Titleist, Vokey Design: Behind the Grinds; Golf Monthly: Titleist Vokey grinds explained (Titleist UK product manager); National Club Golfer: Vokey bounce and grinds explained (Titleist Vokey marketing director); Carl's Golfland: wedge grind dictionary; 2nd Swing: Cleveland RTX 6 ZipCore product details. Checked Oct 6, 2026.