Bunker Shots

[Diobacco]

I try to play greenside bunker shots with the clubface very open. They come out nice with Lob wedge and disaster with the Sand wedge... my guess is that this is due to the bounce and I probably play in courses with not so nice sand. Is this normal or I am missing some points abuot how the shot should be done?

[Maker]

Well, there is no rule that says you have to use the SW on bunker shots, and I will often swich club depending on the distance I need to carry (though I will say I never go with more loft than the SW). I think trying a couple things might help you out here, 1) try opening the SW face more. It's possible that you are leaving it with too much loft for the short shot. 2) Hit more sand. With a bunker shot you can change how hot the ball comes out by how far behind the ball you hit. If you want to get less distance out of the shot hit a little further behind the ball, thus displacing the ball with more sand and reducing the carry.

P.S one last thought, another option is to adjust your swing power. Since you didn't clarify what type of disaster you are having I've assume you are flying it too far. If that is truly the case I would suggest trying to pull back your swing power a bit. You will need to adjust that depending on the shot, but I would imagine if you are swinging a 56 degree as hard as you are a 60 you are going to see very different results.

[saevel25]

Hard sand, use less bounce
Soft sand, use more bounce

More bounce will keep your club from digging into the sand, but to much bounce on a hard surface will bounce the club into the ball and cause you to skull it.

[cmay119]

The highest degree wedge I have in my arsenal right now is my SW. On wet sand shots, would it be better if I use the gap wedge out for green-side hits?

[CalBoomer]

Hard sand, use less bounce

What he said.