Bunker Play

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Couple of years back I decided to ditch my ancient Wilson Staff sand iron and supplement my irons with 52deg and a 56deg wedges. I naturally assumed that the 56deg wedge being the most lofted was my new sand iron, and that's what I use - but need that be the case? Is it worth seeing how I get on using the 52deg wedge for some bunker shots - or is it a simple fact that you are generally best using your most lofted club as your sand iron - in which case should I consider getting an even more lofted wedge?

 

[fundy]

as much about bounce as loft for bunker play, ideally you want plenty of both imo

 

[NWJocko]

I use 52, 56 and 60 wedges out of bunkers depending how long the shot is, how deep a pot bunker I'm in etc.

Worth trying them out to see what each does. My place is littered with bunkers so I've improved quite a lot the last 18 months!!!

 

[Slab]

9/10 its my 56 SW for greenside bunkers but once in a while it'll be the 48 PW (just for a bit more length/roll)

My 56 can get me out of some pretty severe deep faced bunkers so I doubt I'd ever need more loft and even if I did I'd also need to be using say a 60 around the greens for me to justify adding it to the bag (possibly at the expense of another club)

 

[FairwayDodger]

Different clubs for different shots although, usually, I'll stick to the sand wedge for greenside bunker shots.

Play them differently though - some with face laid as open as possible, others with normal loft. And, obviously, varying the amount of sand taken.

Lots of different ways to skin this particular cat. I was struggling with some deep, steep-faced bunkers at one of my courses - couldn't get the ball up in the air quickly enough. A bunker lesson cured that, as opposed to more loft.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

OK - good advice there - thanks

 

[UlyssesSky]

Getting a higher lofted wedge just for bunker play doesn't make sense, imho.

If you occasionally find yourself in situations where a lob wedge would also make sense and you have room in your bag, you could try and get one.

I'd go for a model with less bounce than your sandwedge, so that you have the lob wedge with less bounce for shots from tight lies or bunkers with hard/more compressed sand and your sandwedge with more bounce for shots from soft sand.


That being said, I use only my 60*/8* wedge from the bunker, since I'm still carrying my Wilson set sandwedge as I prefer it on full shots and for chips/pitches form tight(er) lies, but absolutely can't see myself playing sandshots with an opened face with it.

 

[massivebelterlad]

Use the linear method and you can use the right club for the distance.

 

[Curls]

I've got a 56* sand wedge with 11 degree bounce, and a 58* lob wedge with 4. Reason being the turf is so hard at our place that the high bounce would have me thin shots, so low is the key. However if I go in a bunker now I take both with me, if I get the feeling the sand is deep under the ball Ill use the 56 and the bounce to get out. If it's shallow sand Ill use the 58, as the 11 bounce would have me thin it into the face/over the green.

 

[patricks148]

I suppose it would depend on how deep the bunkers at your course are.

For instance if i were to play at one of the local parkland courses round here, i probably wouldn't bother with a SW, just my gap and a LW maybe.

how much sand is there in your bunkers and how deep are they?

 

[Paul77]

Our course has been soaked beyond belief lately so our bunkers are so hard that I just use my 60 degree to lift it out. It's rather annoying. Top of the course are a little fluffier and I get the 56 out with 11 degree bounce but lower bunkers are hard compacted dark sand. Pure council sand.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Our course has been soaked beyond belief lately so our bunkers are so hard that I just use my 60 degree to lift it out. It's rather annoying. Top of the course are a little fluffier and I get the 56 out with 11 degree bounce but lower bunkers are hard compacted dark sand. Pure council sand.

If your bunkers are hard doesn't the additional bounce of a 60deg wedge cause you problems?

 

[garyinderry]

60 wedges don't have to have lots of bounce. Same as any wedge. It's your call.

 

[SocketRocket]

I use my 56 sand wedge with 12 deg bounce in most cases but if I want a low flight with plenty of run I sometimes use my PW.

 

[KenL]

I don't have a sand wedge, if such a thing exists anymore.
I play a links course with tight lies and fairly coarse sand that doesn't pack down. I use my 60 degree vokey with 4 degree bounce from the bunker - it works perfectly.
For other wedge shots I use my PW or my 52 gap wedge.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I've been tinkering with 52 and PW out of sand. Great fun playing around with different clubs. Some things are coming off others don't. For the most part I'll stick to my 58 degree around the green though

 

[MadAdey]

Really depends on the bunker, like others have said. If I'm in a flatesh bunker with green to use, most of the time I use my 50* and just splash it out and let it run to the hole.

 

[fundy]

Really depends on the bunker, like others have said. If I'm in a flatesh bunker with green to use, most of the time I use my 50* and just splash it out and let it run to the hole.

well out Adey

 

[MadAdey]

well out Adey

Steve............ Your a dick

 

[HawkeyeMS]

It's all about bounce moreso than loft IMHO.