subject: How to Succeed in Sand Shot [print this page] How to Succeed in Sand Shot How to Succeed in Sand Shot
When make sand shots, you should use a sand wedge when playing short sand shots around the green. A sand wedge may vary from 55 to 58 degrees of loft with 8 to 12 degrees of bounce. I personally prefer a 58-degree sand wedge with 8 degrees of bounce. Being successful out of the sand depends on three things: correct setup, proper technique and consistent point of entry.
For the correct setup, I like to draw or visualize three lines in the sand, as shown in the photos above. Each line has a specific purpose. (Titleist CB 710 Forged Irons) The line going from the target to the ball and then extending beyond the ball is called the target line. The line that is about 10 degrees open to the target line is the angle of our feet or toes. Then I draw a line perpendicular to the target line originating at the ball. This represents ball position, which should be off the left heel for righthanded golfers.
The start of the backswing should be straight back or slightly outside the target line. There is an immediate breaking of the hands as you start this motion, producing a more vertical swing which encourages the club to enter the sand about two inches behind the ball.
Once you have the correct setup with the same amount of weight on each foot, the face of the club should be slightly open. This puts loft on the ball and allows the back portion of the bottom of the club to bounce off the sand, as opposed to having the leading edge dig into the sand.
What you are actually trying to do is to take as little sand as possible without contacting the ball. Allow the sand to lift the ball from the bunker.
As you make contact with the sand there should be a cupping of the left wrist. Let me explain "cupping." (Titleist 909 F3 Fairway Wood) Assume you are wearing a watch on your left wrist and the face, as usual, is pointing outward. When contacting the sand on the forward swing, you should try to take the back of your left hand and move it towards your watch face, thereby creating wrinkles underneath your left wrist. This action is called "cupping of the wrist" and it is very necessary in producing quality sand shots. Since this motion prevents the club from closing, the ball is lifted in the air with backspin.
These are the three most important things regarding sand play around the greens. You don't have to be perfect to get out of a sand bunker, but you have enough of the basic principles to get started.
Besides, in order to make a perfect sand shot, you should also pay more attention to the following tips.
To avoid blading ball in sand, don't let left arm break down in downswing. Try to take a shallow cut of sand -- about 10 inches long. Dig in with toes of shoes more than heels to set bottom of swing below surface of sand. Hit with the same force you would use if you were throwing a handful of sand to the hole. For uphill sand shots, play the ball forward, keep more weight on the right foot, don't open the club face and swing along slope. For downhill sand shots, keep your head steady with more weight on left foot. Play the ball back, open the club face, make a steep backswing, full wristhinge and swing along the slope. For long bunker shots, make a relaxed pivot and full follow-through. Take a longer club; (Titleist AP2 710 Forged Iron) say a nine-iron, to get the right distance. When hitting from hard sand, use a pitching wedge and play a normal pitch shot.
Take two clubs more than normal. Dig in with your feet and keep your weight on the inside of both feet. Choke down one inch with a light grip. Play ball in the middle with weight evenly distributed. Keep lower body quiet. Use a three-quarter swing. Make a full, relaxed pivot and try to clip the ball off the sand. Swing at 70% of normal speed. You'll have better luck with a lofted wood than an iron.
