Bunkers - wrong 'Bounce' ?

[Macster]

Since I swapped to my Vokeys late last year, I have tended to use my 60* Lob Wedge to try & get out of any sand I end up in, but with pretty poor results so far.
Its a 60* with only 4* of Bounce, as around the greens, I like to try and 'slide' the club under the ball & float it onto the green.
But, in the sand, when I think about it, I am tending to currently either leave the ball in, or only just clear the lip and leave myself nowhere near the pin.
I was thinking that perhaps I was 'quitiing' on the shots or something, but now thinking that I might just simply be sliding straight under the ball due to the very low Bounce angle ?

The 54* has 10* Bounce, which I chose for fuller shots from 80/90yds out etc, so I'm thinking that it may well be much more better from the sand too ?

Any thoughts out there from anyone with an ounce of Bunker skill ? Bob ?

Cheers.

 

[USER1999]

I use a 58 with very low bounce from bunkers and it comes out fine (see the photo in this months GM). You have to really commit to the shot though, or it just digs into the sand.

You just need to practice more.

 

[Cernunnos]

more bounce does make a difference, but the type of sand also is a factor in how much bounce is needed.

You could open up the face on your 60 degree if you don't already, this will effectively increase the bounce with that club. Though it'll also increase the loft, which is handy on occasions, especially if you have steep sided or pot bunkers anywhere.

Ther other issue is that bounce is a very personnal thing I never had a problem with low bounce in bunkers, there again I do open up the face too on occasion for extra loft.

 

[Imurg]

Its easier to get out of the sane if you don't actually hit the ball!
Take a clump of sand under the ball and it rides out on the sand.
Use the 54. Less loft but the bounce will help.

Use the 60/04 for tigh lie chips and floaterrs from the grass.

 

[thecraw]

60/4????


Useless from bunkers and unless you play links golf then its a pretty useless club period.

 

[Macster]

Oh ....why's that Craw ?

I rarely play 'full' shots with it, or take divots etc, and am more a 'slider' under the ball, nipping the ball away tightly from green fringes if needed, or from fluffy lies around greens etc, so why would I need more bounce in those situations.

Why better on 'links' ?

 

[thecraw]

With as little bounce as that all its going to do is dig straight in.

Each to their own and if your happy and comfortable then fair doos. Unless I was playing very tight links golf courses I wouldnt even consider less than 8 degrees bounce never mind 4!

Good luck Phil.

 

[The23rdman]

It really does depend on your skill level and how much and type of sand. I used to carry a 56/14 for the fluffy bunkers we have and a 60/4 for the tight and almost sand free bunkers.

I reckon a good compromise is something like a 56/10 with a tour grind so it can be opened up on the fairway without bouncing too much, plus give you a decent chance from the bunker.

 

[RGDave]

The 54* has 10* Bounce, which I chose for fuller shots from 80/90yds out etc, so I'm thinking that it may well be much more better from the sand too ?

I swapped recently from a temporary "gimmick" SW to a Vokey.
It's taken quite a lot of practice to get good with it, but I'm doing well.

I asked about buying the "lowest bounce possible" and my pro said NO!!!....because of the exact same problem you are describing. Mine is 56/10 i.i.r.c. the bounce saves me every time....

 

[GB72]

I get on OK with my 60/4 wedge out of bunkers and around the green. Admitedly the sand in our bunkers is pretty heavy so sliding under the ball tends to work and I tend to take small, if any, divot so it works well from close in but you do need to have a really commited swing at it.

 

[Redwood]

Try the SM Vokey 09 58*08. That is a great club from most situations.

Due to the grind I'm able to open the face and use it like a 60* if I need to, and I can also use it like a normal wedge from about 50 yards also. Very versatile club.

 

[Cernunnos]

Nice one.

I actually changed to my current irons, because I felt there was too much bounce with my previous irons for the sorts of conditions I liked playing in.

 

[Faldo_Fan]

I have a Vokey SM 08-58......fantastic club, but a friend of mine has a Vokey SM 04-60.....and is quite frankly rubbish everytime he has this club out! It's just too specialist in my opinion.

 

[Herbie]

Since I swapped to my Vokeys late last year, I have tended to use my 60* Lob Wedge to try & get out of any sand I end up in, but with pretty poor results so far.
Its a 60* with only 4* of Bounce, as around the greens, I like to try and 'slide' the club under the ball & float it onto the green.
But, in the sand, when I think about it, I am tending to currently either leave the ball in, or only just clear the lip and leave myself nowhere near the pin.
I was thinking that perhaps I was 'quitiing' on the shots or something, but now thinking that I might just simply be sliding straight under the ball due to the very low Bounce angle ?

The 54* has 10* Bounce, which I chose for fuller shots from 80/90yds out etc, so I'm thinking that it may well be much more better from the sand too ?

Any thoughts out there from anyone with an ounce of Bunker skill ? Bob ?

Cheers.

Have you had your bunker stroke looked at?
If you are leaving the ball in the bunker I would suggest something wrong with your bunker shot technique rather than worrying about the wide range of wedges with various degrees and bounces.
If you hit a good bunker stroke you should be able to get OUT with almost any club, if I fail to get out its because I have failed to stroke properly not because of the club Im using. I have used clubs from greenside bunkers ranging from an 8 iron to 64* wedge and rarely have a problem, when I do its because of a bad shot not a wrong club.

When you say you like to slide the ball under that in itself sound like the wrong way to go with most bunker shots.

Try and imagine an invisible ball up against your ball (strike side)then imagine that ball sits on a tea cup saucer rim, then strike the invisible ball taking an imaginary arc under imaginary saucer and see if that helps.

If not, take the imaginary cup of tea and drink it!