Sand Play

[warbirdlover]

I'm a horrible sand player. One of the members of our golf club is an excellent sand player. I finally caught him and asked him how he makes it look so easy and he told me something that totally goes against everything. He said the "bounce" (10°, 12° etc) is what causes you to chunk the shot. He uses a 60° with normal (less then 5° bounce). So he found a club in the clubhouse and told me to go and try it. I went over to the green on the par 5 (no one was coming up) and hit a few in the sand. It works. I got in two traps yesterday and popped it out on the green (one longer shot one short shot) like I was a pro. I didn't have my 60° used wedge I ordered yet from Global so used my 8-iron. If you've had as many failures in the traps as I have it might be worth a try.

 

[eclark53520]

The bounce is what makes you chunk the shot? No on numerous different levels...but if this is what helps you be a better sand player, it doesn't really matter. As long as you get better, use whatever theory you find suitable.

 

[warbirdlover]

It wasn't my theory but it works for me. I think the reason is many players don't contact the sand correctly behind the ball (too deep or too far back) and the bounce "happens" too soon causing a chunked shot. I understand the reason for the bounce on a sand wedge after 50 years but never considered it actually causing a problem.

 

[subsonic]

The type of sand has an impact as well. Fluffy, resort style sand usually does better with more bounce. Firmer muny sand usually does better with less bounce.

 

[limpalong]

The type of sand has an impact as well. Fluffy, resort style sand usually does better with more bounce. Firmer muny sand usually does better with less bounce.

What he said!!!!

 

[warbirdlover]

After all these years I finally learn something about sand traps.

 

[anonymous golfaholic]

What really helped me the most with green-side bunkers is a shallow swing. If you open the face (even with an 8 iron), drop your hands closer to the ground and flatten out your swing the club will ski through the sand without digging.

 

[eclark53520]

What really helped me the most with green-side bunkers is a shallow swing. If you open the face (even with an 8 iron), drop your hands closer to the ground and flatten out your swing the club will ski through the sand without digging.

This is what I do. I don't claim to be a pro sand player, but I don't recall very many times at all I've failed to get out of the trap. Might not be close...but I'm out of the sand.

 

[PaPaD]

What really helped me the most with green-side bunkers is a shallow swing. If you open the face (even with an 8 iron), drop your hands closer to the ground and flatten out your swing the club will ski through the sand without digging.

This^^^

if you do it right, you can flip one out of the trap with many clubs - all with different bounces. I use my gap wedge and even PW a bit, especially if I want more roll out after landing.

 

[Louie_T07]

What really helped me the most with green-side bunkers is a shallow swing. If you open the face (even with an 8 iron), drop your hands closer to the ground and flatten out your swing the club will ski through the sand without digging.

I know I have a very different swing from the sand and for the most part, I think this is exactly what I do. Another thing that has always stuck with. I was told to imagine a $5 bill under my ball and to take that bill and sand out with the ball. Usually if my divot is about the size of a bill, I've made a decent bunker shot and at the very least get myself out of the bunker

 

[jhmeg2]

You've never asked me for sand help

 

[anonymous golfaholic]

Here is how you get out of a fairway bunker with an 8 iron.

Tim Robinson on Instagram: “What a shot by the old golf pawtna”

For the record, I cleaned the mud off and placed in the bunker. The bottom was firm, so I had solid footing. It was a pretty easy shot....still I knocked it tight (prob 10-12').

 

[Fairwaysplitter3320]

Here is how you get out of a fairway bunker with an 8 iron.

Tim Robinson on Instagram: “What a shot by the old golf pawtna”

For the record, I cleaned the mud off and placed in the bunker. The bottom was firm, so I had solid footing. It was a pretty easy shot....still I knocked it tight (prob 10-12').

Nice shot!

 

[anonymous golfaholic]

Nice shot!

Thanks! I still missed the putt though, lol

 

[Fairwaysplitter3320]

Thanks! I still missed the putt though, lol

It happens.