Don't
When faced with a long bunker shot to the green of 30 or 40 yards the first mistake most golfers make is to pick their regular sand wedge as the club of choice. Knowing there is more distance, they swing harder with the sand wedge. More often than not this attempt will come up woefully short and the extra hard swing will put even more spin on the ball, preventing it from releasing and perhaps even spinning the ball farther from the target.
Do
Instead, pick less lofted club like a pitching wedge or gap wedge. Open the club up slightly. This adds some bounce to the sole of the club. The added bounce helps prevent the club from digging into the sand. With that slightly open face take a normal full sand swing as if using a sand wedge closer to the green. The reduced loft of the club will carry the ball longer. The shot should have a good amount of spin, stopping the ball well after it lands.
Conclusion
Don't make the hardest shot in golf harder by picking the wrong club!
Golf Tips: Long Green-Side Bunker Shot
We've heard the long green-side bunker shot called the hardest shot in golf many times, but it doesn't have to be that hard. Bunker shots of roughly 40 yards can be much less difficult when the proper club and technique is chosen.
Don't
When faced with a long bunker shot to the green of 30 or 40 yards the first mistake most golfers make is to pick their regular sand wedge as the club of choice. Knowing there is more distance, they swing harder with the sand wedge. More often than not this attempt will come up woefully short and the extra hard swing will put even more spin on the ball, preventing it from releasing and perhaps even spinning the ball farther from the target.
Do
Instead, pick less lofted club like a pitching wedge or gap wedge. Open the club up slightly. This adds some bounce to the sole of the club. The added bounce helps prevent the club from digging into the sand. With that slightly open face take a normal full sand swing as if using a sand wedge closer to the green. The reduced loft of the club will carry the ball longer. The shot should have a good amount of spin, stopping the ball well after it lands.
Conclusion
Don't make the hardest shot in golf harder by picking the wrong club!
Don't
When faced with a long bunker shot to the green of 30 or 40 yards the first mistake most golfers make is to pick their regular sand wedge as the club of choice. Knowing there is more distance, they swing harder with the sand wedge. More often than not this attempt will come up woefully short and the extra hard swing will put even more spin on the ball, preventing it from releasing and perhaps even spinning the ball farther from the target.
Do
Instead, pick less lofted club like a pitching wedge or gap wedge. Open the club up slightly. This adds some bounce to the sole of the club. The added bounce helps prevent the club from digging into the sand. With that slightly open face take a normal full sand swing as if using a sand wedge closer to the green. The reduced loft of the club will carry the ball longer. The shot should have a good amount of spin, stopping the ball well after it lands.
Conclusion
Don't make the hardest shot in golf harder by picking the wrong club!
