Hitting out of Firm Sand

[fengler19]

I recently have been playing some courses that have sand that's pretty firm. I'm used to soft sand and am actually really good out of it. (I practiced in it until I was comfortable with it) With the firmer sand it seems like I'm catching too much ball and the ball flies. I've tried closing the face a little bit to take some bounce out my wedge but I'm still having major problems. Anyone have some good tips before I go get some practice in? Thanks.

[Dent]

I usually play in firm sand and the ball is sitting right on top. I take out my 60* wedge, and hit all ball, just like I would try to hit it when Im in the fairway. Maybe your afriad of taking to much sand so you hit the ball right in the middle with the bottom of your club.

Still hit down on the ball, just don't take any sand.

[JKilgore44]

The more firm the sand is, the more the shot becomes like a FW shots.

If it really, really, firm just play a normal pitch shot. You can really spin the ball from the kind of lie. However, if you end up burried in firm sand, you're S.O.L buddy.

Soft sand is a lot like a flop shot. Dig deep and explode.

Hard sand is a lot like a pitch shot. Pick it clean and let is spin.

[NoDuff]

I've had the rare occasion of playing in soft sand but hard sand is mostly what I'm used to. I find that if you just try to pick it clean out, you'll get out way better than doing the sand wave. I just imagine hitting my club off the pavement (and oviously you wouldn't want to damage your club so you won't dig in). that works for me.

[Dent]

I've had the rare occasion of playing in soft sand but hard sand is mostly what I'm used to. I find that if you just try to pick it clean out, you'll get out way better than doing the sand wave. I just imagine hitting my club off the pavement (and oviously you wouldn't want to damage your club so you won't dig in). that works for me.

Completely off topic, but wow another Manitoban here: Where are you from?

[fengler19]

Thanks for helping out. I'll try pitching/chipping out of the harder stuff.

[Soup Fan]

My home course has sand that is down right rocky, so I know what you're talking about. Best plan is to just play out of it like it is a mat at the driving range. Don't try to take any sand and imagine you won't be even making a divot.

[sonicblue]

If the sand is a little firm, I like just squaring up the clubface and letting it dig a little, swinging a normal explosion shot. However, if there's any doubt that the club can dig through it, I wholly agree with the above, and have done it on several occasions. I'll take my 52, 56 or 60 - depending on how much room I have, and you'll be surprised how easily you can get the ball out and flying - put it back in my stance, and take a very tiny swing, with just a little wrist hinge, and just let the club fall right on the back of the ball.

[CG031]

I always put it back in my stance, really dry and thick sand I put off my front heel. That's how I was taught how to play out of wet sand. Back in the stance hit down on it and open the face a little.

[JaY_B]

Maybe strength is a factor in this, I'm not sure, But I find that I put a little bit more weight on my front foot make a slightly shorter swing and really make sure I get underneath the ball (Like a normal sand shot, just exaggerated due to the firmness of the sand) and it works really really well for me.

[hawkeye]

I play out of firm and wet sand very often - i make a lazy swing and hit it pretty softly, catching the sand behind the ball as with most bunker shots. The bounce of the club does more work (compact sand) so an easier swing does the work for you.

I wouldn't recommend trying to catch it clean - it's a shot that requires precise contact every time. I'd rather catch the sand, get it to 10 feet every time, than hit it stiff once, and leave it in the bunker or fly the green the other times.