wet sand shots

[kobalt]

it is that time of year in colorado when we can start looking forward to the afternoon thunderstorms. my question is how do you hit a partially dug in ball out of wet sand? When i try to take the sand with the ball the sand just grabs the club and stops it. if i try to pick it i tend to cut the ball in half. any tips here would be great.

[Fourputt]

I make a steeper swing than normal and just thump the sand hard an inch or 2 behind the ball and focus on following through.  Even though the follow through may not finish because of the drag of the sand, as long as you tried to do it, it just about as good as if you actually did.  By thinking that way you don't decelerate at impact.  Deceleration is what kills bunker shots.

[danieldrieberg]

Hit it just like a fried egg lie in dry sand. Close the club face at address and hit 1" in front of the ball with authority. Throw the whole mess onto the green. The club face is closed as the sand will tend to open it unless yoiu have "The Hulk" wrist strength.

[clubchamp]

You've got to dig it out no way around it. The key is you have to commit to taking a hard swing. The reason the sand is grabbing the club is pretty much because you aren't taking a hard enough swing. It is tough to make yourself take that big of a swing so close to the green but it's the only way to do it. Good luck...

[Harmonious]

In wet sand, try a club with less bounce, like a lob wedge if you have one, or really open up a pitching wedge.  Helps to slide through the sand rather than "thumping" it (which could easily lead to a skulled shot).

[Leftygolfer]

Your question wasn't clear.  Is it a good lie or a buried one.  If it good, just wet firm sand I play a normal bunker shot and make sure to be very aggressive through the ball so the club doesn't bounce up into the back of the ball.  I actually think wet firm sand is the easiest to play out of.  Just more spin and more predictable.

A buried lie, it really depends how buried.  If it is half under the sand, I'll close my most lofted wedge and just stick it in the sand right behind the ball with as much hand power as I feel it needs to go.  It comes out hot with no spin.

If it is less buried, I play a shot in between the two.

[xxsoultonesxx]

Originally Posted by Harmonious

In wet sand, try a club with less bounce, like a lob wedge if you have one, or really open up a pitching wedge.  Helps to slide through the sand rather than "thumping" it (which could easily lead to a skulled shot).

Definitely this. I live in WA and we have a ton of rain. I say go low bounce and really chop it out. I've always had a hard time with distance control on these shots, but you really gotta go after it.

[kobalt]

thanks for the advice. seems i have a couple for closing the face and a couple for openning it up. i do need to work on not fearing swinging through the shot.

[ohiolefty]

I live in Ohio. It's been a wet Spring, so I feel your pain.

I play these a little steeper and a little more open than usual sand shots. It's almost like a more conventional flop shot principle, except you're still going to get a ton of spin with the sand...even if it's wet. And you have to commit to swinging hard. Probably wouldn't kill you to get an old wedge (don't fry your 'good' wedge grooves) and go to a fairly empty course and practice these a little to build confidence. If you don't commit to a sand shot and decel...whether you're hitting a 'wet dishrag' or a shot tha'ts going to run out...nothing good happens when you decel a wedge. Nothing. Except skulled shots, fat shots, shots that are off line, shots that are off on distance. Bad things.