bunker shots

[Teedub7]

im stuggling from the sand and ive heard so many things about how to hit a sand shot. i got the basics, open stance, open clubface, hit the sand with your club, dont turn your wrists. The part im curious about is the ball position and the weight. My coach told me to play it off my left foot and to lean towards the target. I also know that some people use the right inside foot as a position. Which one do you use and why?

FYI im using a 62 degree wedge with 0 degrees of bounce

[Magnus]

There is your problem. You need bounce. Typically 10 or more in the sand. Try a 54 or 56 degree with 10-14 deg of bounce. My guess is you dig too much with that 62 degree 0 bounce wedge.

[bruce]

Yup,you definitely need bounce,56* degree is good for bunker,i find playing a lob wedge out of the bunker with an open face is inclined to go too high and not much distance,fine if pin is beside bunker.

[Franco!]

0 bounce?
They make those?
I'm really good out of the sand and I wouldn't go near the sand with anything less than 14 degrees of bounce.
You really have to hit shots using the bounce, which you have none of.

[jaggy13]

I use my 60 with 8* of bounce.
Try to think of splashing the ball out.
very verticle swing and think of the bottom of the wedge hitting flat behind the ball and let it bounce off the sand.
I try to think of all my energy stopping at the ball and my follow threw is very relaxed.
another key for me is the entire swing is very controlled and relaxed. Like a 30 yard pitch shot.

[Open-Faced Club Sandwedge]

im stuggling from the sand and ive heard so many things about how to hit a sand shot. i got the basics, open stance, open clubface, hit the sand with your club, dont turn your wrists. The part im curious about is the ball position and the weight. My coach told me to play it off my left foot and to lean towards the target. I also know that some people use the right inside foot as a position. Which one do you use and why?

I learned to put all your weight on the left foot, which your coach told you to do by leaning toward the target. The reason for this is having all your weight on the left through the whole swing means no weight transfer or lateral shifting, which makes it easier to accurately control how far behind the ball the club contacts the sand. I also learned to play the ball off your right foot, which makes you come into the ball from a steeper angle.

Also, I agree with others that unless the sand is really hard-packed, you need a wedge with some bounce. The bounce makes the club travel forward through impact with the ball instead of just diving down into the sand under the ball. If you end up with a big splash of sand but the ball doesn't pop out, that's due to the lack of bounce (or possibly hitting the sand too far behind the ball). -Andrew

[CG031]

Ever since I got the 56 degree, 14 bounce Nike SV Tour, i've been awesome out of the bunkers. it's truely a weapon.

[Bridgestone91]

definately get a wedge with bounce. I was told about a little trick that has helped me with my shots. Imagine a dollar bill in the sand, and the ball being the center of it. Try to scoop the "dollar bill" out of the sand, not making any contact with the ball. Making sure to accelerate through the ball. While doing this make sure you have an open clubface and stance. It may sound strange, but it worked for me.

[jaggy13]

sand can be a tricky medium. I think being comfortable and relaxed is just as important if not more so than actual technique. I got out of 3 bunkers today quite successfully. Practice a bunch and get comfortable with the sand. As the texture changes you will find other methods work better than others.