The Beach

[benjiradio]

Just wondering if others hate the sand as much as me.

I will do anything to avoid it. Even if it means much longer puts.

I really just need solid practice, and yet never get the oportunity.

[Dpricenator]

I'm always bummed to land in the sand, mostly because I aimed somewhere else. But my granddad always like to practice from the sand. So he showed me early on that there is nothing to be afraid of. It'd just a slightly different adress and a full follow through. So now if I'm in the sand, it's more of an inconvenience thatn the end of my round. Now when I see my buddy go in the sand I prety m uch know i just took the lead by 3 strokes. he looks like Charles barkley trying to swing it out.

[RocketSauce]

not really. im pretty comfortable hitting out of the sand. i recently played with a pro who showed me a couple of shots that have already saved me a couple of times. but overall, yes, i am totally comfortable hitting out of the sand

[goblue107501]

Just wondering if others hate the sand as much as me.

Fairway traps, yes, greenside, it depends. I am pretty good out of the sand, which is to say some shots don't bother me. There are a few holes on my regular courses where the sand is a better option, if you miss the green. There are many times I have hit a shot off line and yelled for it to go into the sand so I don't have an awkward stance and lie out of the rough. In most cases I would prefer not to be in the sand as there are too many variables for the shot, but there are times when you can be much better off.

[David in FL]

I hate to admit it, but I love the sand.

I'm not saying that I'd rather be in a greenside bunker than hit a green, or rather be in a fairway bunker than down the sprinkler line, but once I'm there, I enjoy executing a well played sand shot more than just about any other shot that I can think of.

[jmurdock]

I like being in the sand. I was given a great drill early on and it helped me more than anything. While practicing or playing a friendly round, draw about a 4" x 4" square around the ball. Swing and "knock out" the box. Just remember these key rules: Always follow through and always accelerate through the shot.

To vary your distance, shorten or lengthen your back swing and/or open or square up your clubface. Hope this helps.

[Shindig]

Depends. Bunker that has sand - no problem!

Bunker that had sand, and is now just hard packed dirt? That I can't swing down and into no matter what? Sucks, but so many courses around here don't maintain the bunkers. But it's a hazard, so I can't really complain.

[benjiradio]

If you guys are in a greenside bunker, what degree wedge do you prefer? And do you use different wedges for different plays?




*please dont respond with sandwedge

[Chief Broom]

I can play pretty well out of the sand, but it is dangerous because it increases the risk that if you hit it fat or thin you'll still be in trouble (and not on the green). I'd much rather be chipping onto the green rather than trying to hit out of the sand. As a result I don't have a problem bailing out of a dangerous shot over a greenside bunker in favor of chipping out to the side and leaving myself a safer chip up close to the pin.

As to what club I use in the sand it depends on the shot and sand. Fluffy stuff I use my SW, which has a lot of bounce, packed or wet sand I go with my LW which is low bounce.

[RocketSauce]

If you guys are in a greenside bunker, what degree wedge do you prefer? And do you use different wedges for different plays?

i will pretty much always use my 58º wedge in a greenside bunker

[David in FL]

If you guys are in a greenside bunker, what degree wedge do you prefer? And do you use different wedges for different plays?

Prob 85% is my 56*. Lots of different ways to play it though based on the sand, lie, and whether it needs to spin or release and roll out. If the sand is super firm, or I really have to get down to a plugged lie, I may use my 52* or even the PW.

[jmurdock]

Normally my 58. I either open it up or keep it square depending on the shot. Occasionally I will use my 54.

[Dpricenator]

Until recently I only had a 55* SW so that's what I used. Then I picked up a 60* CG11, but I don't really like it out of the dsand. I just got a Vokey Sm 58*. I'm hoping that is the one for me.

[Dub]

Just wondering if others hate the sand as much as me.

I used to really.....really fear fairway bunkers and I'd play well away from them...even if that meant adding much distance or playing too close to other hazards.

The mid/long iron replacement hybrids have eased my tension with these lies as they are effective for me from bunkers....high launch that carries lips and flies far. Greenside sand.....I'm hit and miss. When I'm on...it is not really a penalty at all. Sandies are the norm....spank it up tight and rake it in the hole. When I'm off, it's an ugly...ugly affair. The shot is easily practiced and that's what makes the difference for me. We've got practice bunker at our home course's range that helps. I don't do anything really wild in terms of set up for these greenside shots. I may or may not open the clubface depending on the distance....if I do it is only a very small amount. I set up with the ball forward in my stance and open my feet and shoulders a bit but swing along the direct target path. I generally hinge early and swing down on the ball with a "spanking" sound resulting on good stokes. The key is to follow through...don't let the head slow down or stop at impact....keep it moving. Quiet legs are something else I strive for on these shots. I will soon be gearing up with new wedges...I hope. I'm going to change lofts a bit and use a high bounce 56 for most of my sandplay. The 54 degree sw worked well for some courses...but my home course has smaller greens with deeper lipped bunkers. I don't need to carry so far...just a nice high floater that will land soft.

[beachbreak]

Greenside traps - OK for me
Fairway traps - Bummer

[Slim 11]

I don't mind the sand, but try to avoid it. I am improving on my greenside bunker shots so it doesn't kill me to land in one, but i am obviously disappointed in missing the green. My distance control from teh bunker is not great so I often am two putting and costs me par (Sand save % is maybe 20%).
Fairway bunkers don't bother me, depending on the lie. Saw a great tip about using a hybrid in that situation and it has helped me a lot.