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Here are 8 tips you need to know in order to be successful using a sand wedge, before ever attempting to hit a bunker shot.

1.      Know sand texture. Is it soft, firm or just right?

2.      Know how much bounce is required on each sand wedge compared to the texture of sand or lie in grass being played.

3.      Know the definition of bounce and the importance of bounce on each sand wedge

4.      Neveruse a full swing with your sand wedge. Limit the backswing to maximum of ¾ and take an extra club. Use one more club to adjust for the distance loss. For example, use a pw (48 degrees) rather than a gap wedge. (52 degrees)

5.      Use a system of wedges:  PW-48 degrees, GAP-52 degrees, SW-56 degrees and LOB-60 degrees or expect to be at a disadvantage when competing against your fellow competitor.

6.      The lies and lengths of each wedge must be correct for directional control and feel.

7.      Due to annual rainfall, know the part of the country your wedge set will be used. Use more bounce in a rainy climate like Seattle and less bounce in Phoenix due to dryness and firm playing condition.

8.      Your ball position should be played in the center of the stance off the belly button to establish TRUE BOUNCE (manufacturers specs), if the leading edge is tilted toward the forward foot, bounce is decreases and loft is decreased. If the sand wedge is tilted away for the belly backward toward the trailing foot with an OPEN FACE bounce will increase. Make sure there is plenty of grass or sand under the ball with open face shots or the tendency will be to skull (blade) the ball across the putting green.

Sand texture is normally soft, medium or firm, depending on the part of the country, amount of rain, hardness of ground water, salt, PH levels and depending on the golf course budget. Many golf courses let their bunkers get firm mainly due to budget restraints; rather than implementing a costly RENOVATION program. Most established golf courses with full memberships and reliable year round traffic are able to afford the consistent renovation programs. It is not uncommon for bunker renovation to be done every 4-6 years on courses with a healthy membership and budget to eliminate weeds, compaction and poor drainage. The problem is normally not the amount of sand found in most bunkers, but the dirt in the air acts like a magnet clinging to sand granules; the sand becomes firm, compacted and difficult to play requiring golfers use less bounce (4-6 degrees). I was part of a sand sifting project as Director of Golf at Hillcrest GC in Sun City West, Arizona. The superintendant renovated every bunker over a 1-year period by removing and washing the sand; separating the mud and dirt from sand particles using a conveyor belt and high pressure hose. Each bunker was then re-tiled (drained) and the clean sand replaced. There are over 100 types of textured and colored sand used by golf course throughout the world. The best and most expensive is used on the PGA Tour, it is a form of fine grit silica sand that allows most golf shots to rest on the surface rather than bury. (Plug)  

 Once the texture of sand is identified golfers need to know the amount of bounce required for successful bunker play. Bounce on a sand wedge was invented by Gene Sarazen, 1935 Masters Champion and the first player ever to have all four majors to his credit - US Open, British Open, Masters and PGA. Sarazen was on an airplane with Howard Hughes and noticed as the flaps of the airplane wing went down the airplane lifted into the air. He decided to weld metal on the trailing edge on his pitching wedge hoping the flange of metal would bounce off the sand. He nailed the concept and every serious golfer has a sand wedge in his/her golf bag as I write. When sand is fluffy and soft consider using 12 to 16 degrees of bounce. If the sand has medium texture use a sand wedge with 8-10 degrees of bounce. If the sand is firm consider 4-6 degrees of bounce. Remember a golfer can increase or decrease the amount of bounce by either tilting the club face backward toward the trailing foot (opening) or tilting the clubface forward toward the forward foot creating negative bounce. (Less) A golfer must be careful when opening the club face especially in areas like Phoenix, Arizona where the ground is firm. As a result open face sand wedges are often bladed across the green. Once you understand bounce, texture of sand and the need for a complete set of wedges, it a good idea to find out where and how they can BEST be used.

I have played golf around the country for many years. You need to know two important concepts generally accepted by PGA Golf professional regarding bunker play; ask these two questions:

1. How firm or wet is the climate most of your golf rounds will be played?
2. Do you take a full swing and max-out your sand wedge? My suggestion is never takemore than a ½ to ¾ backswing with any wedge in your bag.

When the ground is firm, like in Arizona, less bounce is used on grassy turf, and in a wet rainy state like Birmingham, Alabama additional bounce is required in the grass. Also remember to take an extra wedge. (Pw 48 degree rather than a Gap 52 degree) DO NOT take a full BACK SWING with any wedge to assure efficient center face contact, distance control and accuracy. Finally, make sure your local club fitter or PGA Golf Professional fits your wedge set for length and lie.

The length of sand wedges I believe should be the same. I am 5’ 10” tall and maintaining the correct posture my set of wedges are measured at 35 & 1/4”. I keep my lies (For directional control) at 5 degrees flat from standard 64 degrees or 59 degrees. Make sure your length and lies are PERFECT for your set up and golf swing. NEVER buy a set of wedges off the rack! Your wedges are the most important clubs in your bag for scrambling, chipping, pitching and getting up and down to save par.

Here is a piece of trivia and it is fact:
I have a 2- iron and a 56 degree SW in my golf back. My set is matched - one club to the other - and my 2-iron is 5-degrees flat and so is my Pitching wedge. If I were to make off center contact slightly off the toe with both clubs, which would go further off line... the 2-iron or PW? The answer is the PW. The more lofted clubs will always miss the target by a larger margin than the long iron due to added LOFT; ponder that one! So what are you waiting for? Buy custom fit wedges that are adjustable using soft stainless steel or forged and watch your scores start to fall! Now take a golf lesson and develop the basics fundamentals of sand play.

Gary Balliet, PGA Quarter Century Member
http://arizonacustomgolfclubs.net

Instructor Golf Academy of America (17 years)

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