The Sand Trap .com

Each of your clubs is different: your 3I is longer than your wedge, and your driver has an entirely different shape than your 7I. Some may have graphite shafts, some may have different grips, and some may be made by different manufacturers.

One way to improve your play is to match the swingweights of your clubs to your swing and to each other. Clubs with different swing weights have a different “feel” to them. Swing weight is a measurement of how the weight is distributed in a club. The shaft, the weight of the head, and even the size of the grip can affect the swingweight of a club. The lighter your swingweight, the lighter the head of the club will feel.

About.com answers the question “what is swingweight?” but an important distinction is this: swing weight and overall static weight are not the same.

You’ve made a great approach, but your ball rolled just off the fringe and finds itself against hte collar. It’s tough to judge these shots because your ball is effectively “sitting down” as far in as it can get, making contact iffy at best. There are several different ways to play this shot.

• A lofted wood (3, 5, 7, 9) or a utility club will glide through the grass easily, contacting the ball cleanly. Play club more upright, on its toe, a little more than normal and grip down. Use your putting grip and a narrow stance. Expect the ball to hop and pop and then roll to the hole.
• You can use the toe of a putter. Grip firmly to resist twisting and use a firm stroke to guarantee getting through the grass. Fred Couples likes to employ this stroke, but it’s difficult and only works through thinner collars.
• My favorite shot is to use a sand wedge and intentionally blade the ball. The bounce and weight of the sand wedge help it to glide through the grass, and the blade provides topspin, guaranteeing the ball will get going. Make a putting stroke with a putting grip, and hit the ball’s equator with the leading edge of your wedge.

Your 3W, your putter, and your wedge can all be used to play this shot. Choose whatever shot is most comfortable for you, and execute it with confidence.

Downhill Lie
Transfer more weight to your back (the uphill) foot and play the ball a bit more forward in your stance, as your swing will bottom out later.

Uphill Lie
Transfer more weight to your front (again the uphill) foot and play the ball a bit further back in your stance.

Ball Above Feet
These shots tend to draw. Open the clubface a little and balance your weight towards the toes of your feet.

Ball Below Feet
These shots tend to cut. Close the clubface a little and balance your weight towards the heels of your feet.

One of the quickest ways to improve is to practice shots you don’t normally hit. If you normally play a cut, can you play a draw? Can you hit a low drive and keep it straight, or a high drive? Can you knock down a 5-iron?

Nobody knows your game better than your favorite opponent. Here’s a little game you can play to improve your game and try new things at the same time. Set up a match with your pal and call each other’s shots. If your pal normally hits a draw, ask him to hit a low cut. If he likes to fly the ball back to the hole, ask him to run the shot up. He’ll be doing the same to you.

Keep it friendly and don’t get too nutty – asking for a 60-yard slice or a 7I from the tee on a par 5 isn’t “fair.” Keep your own score, and if you want to bet, mix in a penalty shot for failing to hit the called shot.