steve7
Head Pro
Hi all,posted a thread about bunker play and thank all for advice,someone suggested using a lob wedge in bunker play,wondering how many people use a lob wedge rather than a sand wedge in bunkers ?
sand wedge or lob wedge
- Thread starter steve7
- Start date
TonyN
Money List Winner
I have a 53 with 8 degrees bounce and a 58 with 10 degrees bounce. Dont refer to either as a sand or lob, just call them by their loft. Makes no difference I guess but ive always done it to stop me going for one by default in the bunker.
I use either one as much as the other. Depending on lie, how wet or dry the sand is, how far the shot is how I want the shot to fly, roll out, stop etc.
If you can, spend an hour in the practice bunker gittong bith clubs at the same target see hownthey behave differently. Its quite good fun.
I use either one as much as the other. Depending on lie, how wet or dry the sand is, how far the shot is how I want the shot to fly, roll out, stop etc.
If you can, spend an hour in the practice bunker gittong bith clubs at the same target see hownthey behave differently. Its quite good fun.
Foxholer
Blackballed
I use my 58*.
The 52 is low bounce, so not really suitable for most bunker play.
Previously had a 52 (Low), 56 (High) and 60 (V Low), using the 56 only for sand (or deep rough) play. Rarely used anything but the 56 for Sand play.
The 60 was just too difficult to get right in many/most situations. The 58 works well for both Sand AND from fairway! Versatility wins!
The 52 is low bounce, so not really suitable for most bunker play.
Previously had a 52 (Low), 56 (High) and 60 (V Low), using the 56 only for sand (or deep rough) play. Rarely used anything but the 56 for Sand play.
The 60 was just too difficult to get right in many/most situations. The 58 works well for both Sand AND from fairway! Versatility wins!
stokie_93
Tour Rookie
Always depends on the lie & the loft needed for the shot.
If I have a lot of space to work with i'll take the 56, fly it a bit lower and hope for some check.
If the pin is just out of the bunker i'll take my 60 and try get it up and to stop asap.
If I have a lot of space to work with i'll take the 56, fly it a bit lower and hope for some check.
If the pin is just out of the bunker i'll take my 60 and try get it up and to stop asap.
ger147
Tour Winner
I use a 58 degree Lob Wedge as my Sand Wedge, SM5 K grind so 11 degrees bounce and a thick sole.
ScienceBoy
Money List Winner
A lob wedge commonly has very low bounce compared to a high lofted sand wedge. Bounce is your friend in most bunker lies.
Occasions do call for low bounce instead such as very hard lies or wet compact sand.
I have a 56* wedge with mediun bounce, works well in most bunkers, from the rough and from tight lies. It's an all rounder rather than a specialist club.
Occasions do call for low bounce instead such as very hard lies or wet compact sand.
I have a 56* wedge with mediun bounce, works well in most bunkers, from the rough and from tight lies. It's an all rounder rather than a specialist club.
drewster
Tour Rookie
Greenside , i'll always use my 60 degree wedge (lob wedge i guess). I've just sold my 56 as i was never using it at all... it was just sitting there looking pretty matching the 50 and 60.
Dan2501
Tour Winner
Depends on how much sand and how compacted it is. If it's soft and quite a lot of sand I'll use a SW, if the sand is wet, compact or there's just not a lot of it I'll use the extra loft.
Region3
Ryder Cup Winner
Also, don't limit yourself to only 2 clubs.
I mostly use my 54 from bunkers, but if it's a short delicate shot I might use my 60, and if it's 30yds with loads of green to work with I might use a PW instead of trying to either hit the bejeezus out of it with my 54 or get cute trying to take a lot less sand.
As Tony said, get yourself in a bunker and play around with different things and see what works and doesn't work for you.
I mostly use my 54 from bunkers, but if it's a short delicate shot I might use my 60, and if it's 30yds with loads of green to work with I might use a PW instead of trying to either hit the bejeezus out of it with my 54 or get cute trying to take a lot less sand.
As Tony said, get yourself in a bunker and play around with different things and see what works and doesn't work for you.
i suppose it depends on how deep the bunkers are.
i played a parkland course on Sunday that i could get out of the bunkers with just my 50 deg gap wedge with no bounce as there was only about 2 foot of lip. but deep pot bunkers on a links course you probably need at least 56 with 10 -13 deg of bounce.
We do have a couple at my place that 60 is what you need as you are always on a down slope with 6ft of revetting in front of you.
i played a parkland course on Sunday that i could get out of the bunkers with just my 50 deg gap wedge with no bounce as there was only about 2 foot of lip. but deep pot bunkers on a links course you probably need at least 56 with 10 -13 deg of bounce.
We do have a couple at my place that 60 is what you need as you are always on a down slope with 6ft of revetting in front of you.
Capella
Journeyman Pro
I don't have a lob wedge, so it is always SW for me (56°, 12° bounce). I just open the club face ridiculously far when I am close to the wall. Admittedly does not always work, though. 
steve7
Head Pro
thanks for all replies
3565
Journeyman Pro
I have a 50, 54, 58. The 54 has been grinded solely for bunkers. But it depends what course your playing, normally 54 every time but come this Saturday the 58 might be used a lot............. Woodhall Spa
duncan mackie
Money List Winner
I don't have a lob wedge, so it is always SW for me (56°, 12° bounce). I just open the club face ridiculously far when I am close to the wall. Admittedly does not always work, though.
Part of your problem would be that by the time you have opened the face to 60 degrees you have 16° of bounce and probably 20 mm between the leading edge and lowest part of sole...fine in thin deep sand, shallow firm and you have no chance!
Using the best combination of bounce and loft is the obvious answer, logically having a lower bounce on the more lofted club gives you the widest range when playing courses with a range of conditions.
When playing really shallow sand, or wet settled etc, and having selected something with little bounce (6 or 8) you must avoid opening the face or you just put the bounce back. Cries of "there's not enough sand in this bunker" are loudest from those trying to use a 'sand wedge' commonly 56/12 and then opening it up.
Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
Sand wedge if I've got a bit of distance to cover, but on deep, tight, greenside bunkers or wet/compacted sand I'll use my 60.
chrisd
Major Champion
These are wise words ^^^^
I had won a lesson from our pro and decided to improve my bunker play recently, he changed my play from 58* to 56 and a couple of other tweaks, especially not laying the club open so much, and there was a significant improvement in my bunker play
S
Snelly
Guest
60 degree every time irrespective of sand, bounce blah blah blah.
None of this stuff about bounce existed when I started playing and we could all play well from bunkers.
Just pick a lofted club and practice until you can get the ball out every time to roughly where you want.
None of this stuff about bounce existed when I started playing and we could all play well from bunkers.
Just pick a lofted club and practice until you can get the ball out every time to roughly where you want.
freddielong
Tour Winner
The shot you have to play should always determine the club that you use.
