Playing from hardpan

[RIduffer]

Most of the courses I play have alot of hardpan if you miss left or right of the greenside bunkers, or if you fly the green. It usually requires a tricky 10-30 yd. pitch shot off hardpan that doesn't run out too much. And, more often than not, a low-running shot won't cut it as the green is protected.

How do you guys play these shots? I know it's crucial to hit ball first and I'm able to do this. But lately the ball is coming off my club low and hot, like a half-skull. BTW, I use a 56 wedge for most of my pitch shots.

Please let me know what club and technique you are successful with off hardpan lies. Thanks.

[WUTiger]

How do you guys play these shots? I know it's crucial to hit ball first and I'm able to do this. But lately the ball is coming off my club low and hot, like a half-skull. BTW, I use a 56 wedge for most of my pitch shots.

Part of the problem: Most 56º wedges are sand wedges, with quite a bit of bounce designed into the clubhead. Bounce keeps the club from digging in too much in plush turf or soft sand. But, high bounce clubs can richochet off the ground on tight lie and handpan shots, causing you to skull the ball low and hot. Here are a couple of things you could try: * Use a low-bounce LW (maybe 4-5º bounce). Lobbers say it takes practice, but LW works well off of tight lies. A lobber showed me how to hit the shot with his LW at the driving range last week. * Use a cut-punch chip shot. In this shot, you open up the clubface slightly, and take a normal chip stroke. The open face gives you extra backspin, and it won't run as much. As you suggested, you want to hit the ball first... also, make a smooth, accelerating followthrough. Play around with PW through 7-iron, see which one works best. ========================= Another bit: Why not put up a What's in the Bag section in your sig line? That way, we can tell what type and mix of clubs you use, and how you approach the game. You have a 12 HDCP, so you must be doing something right.

[RIduffer]

Part of the problem: Most 56º wedges are sand wedges, with quite a bit of bounce designed into the clubhead. Bounce keeps the club from digging in too much in plush turf or soft sand. But, high bounce clubs can richochet off the ground on tight lie and handpan shots, causing you to skull the ball low and hot.

Very interesting about the bounce on a SW, I didn't know that. Makes sense though as I can see the leading edge is elevated when I hold my SW on the floor. I will play around with some different clubs off the hardpan lies.

BTW, I will check FAQ and figure out how to add "what's in my bag". Edit: Not allowed by Mod yet.

[Vance87]

I just copied WUTiger's