Here are a few tips to help you become proficient when playing this shot over the coming winter months.
In wet conditions, when the sand has become more compacted, avoid opening the clubface as you would normally do when playing a standard greenside bunker shot from
dry/ fluffy sand.
Instead, keep the clubface “square” to your target so as not to add to the amount of ‘’bounce’” already built into the sole of your club (Adding ‘”bounce” is detrimental when playing from wet/compacted sand – doing so prevents the leading edge of the club from digging into the sand to
create the ‘”explosion’’ required to propel your ball out of the hazard).
- Select a sand-wedge with little bounce or even practice playing this shot with a pitching wedge (which has even less bounce than a sand-wedge).
- Place most of the weight on your front foot – this will help you create a steeper downswing. Keep the weight here throughout the motion.
- Position the ball just forward of centre in your stance and aim to impact the sand about an inch behind the ball. Make sure to accelerate the club through the sand upon impact.
- Plan for the ball to come out faster, carry further and stop more quickly than it would do from dry sand.
Tom Long – Golf Professional
