Ultra wide sole sand wedge....

[Airlie_Andy]

Has or is anyone using one and prepared to admit it? Do they carry the same stigma as a chipper for example? My bunker woes are getting worse despite some lessons and I'm now at the point where I seriously consider just playing another shot under penalty from the same place rather than trying to get out of a green side bunker. Fairway bunkers are absolutely fine by the way. Having said that it if a wide soled sand wedge is much more consistent anyway would it be sensible to use one even if you are already a decent bunker player?

I realise I'm opening myself up to ridicule here and I will probably get lots of replies about practicing etc etc but if a wide sole sand wedge is going to get me out of a bunker first time (instead of 3rd time) why wouldn't I use one and save myself quite a few shots per round? So can anyone reccomend one?

Let the flaming begin.

 

[AmandaJR]

Is it the sole or the bounce you perhaps need to look at?

My G20's have wide soles but not convinced that makes bunkers easier...

 

[Coatsy79]

At the end of the day, whatever works for you

It don't matter how you get the ball in (or in this case near) the hole

 

[virtuocity]

So is your main issues getting out of bunkers?

When you do get out of bunkers, do you just get out?

Do you have a place where you can practice sand shots?

What is the bounce on your 56?

What is your current technique / swing thoughts for bunker shots?

 

[m10johnson]

My friend just got a wideish sole on his new SM5, but he does not use that out of the sand normally.

As Virtuocity says, what is the bounce on your 56? If you are playing of fluffy bunkers, you need a wedge with a decent bounce, I'd say more than 10.

If you are really struggling why not have a lesson with your pro. I'm sure they can sort you out.

 

[garyinderry]

do you bunkers have deep sand or just a thin layer that I find is prevalent in lots of clubs in England. must be a sand shortage in the north west!

 

[Airlie_Andy]

My current sand wedge is the Mizuno R12 with 10 degrees of bounce.

The bunkers at my home course vary greatly. Some have lots of sand and some have virtually none. My bunker shots either tend to be very fat and the ball goes nowhere or thinned straight into the face of the bunker.

I've had bunker lessons and I'm fully aware of the technique needed to get out of a bunker but getting my body to actually do it is another matter and i know its all in my head as other areas of my game are pretty good. Now that the weather is improving my plan is to literally spend several hours a week in a bunker hitting shots to see if I can get some sort of consistency in getting it out but if that doesn't work then my last resort is going to be a thick soled sand wedge. I'm desperate.

 

[AmandaJR]

Bunkers aren't my strong suit BUT had a bit of a revelation a few weeks back when I lost my temper having left the ball in after 2 attempts. In a right old strop I smacked the ball flipping hard and up and out it popped beautifully! So that enabled me to commit to the shot and know, so long as it was sand first, I could hit it really hard and not worry it would go miles. I have since refined this to ensuring I keep the club moving through the shot. So I look at the sand a couple if inches in front of the ball and just think "keep the club moving through" and more often than not get it right. Ok so I'm not always getting them stone dead but quite often close enough - but also not thinning them miles or leaving them in the sand.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

We have bunkers with varying amounts of sand which makes consistency hard although the club is working hard at improving the quality around the course. If you are struggling that much surely a lesson is the way forward. It isn't the equipment causing the problem and I doubt a wider soled club would make too much difference if you don't utilise the bounce correctly and hit the sand in the right place

 

[nemicu]

Technique trumps equipment really, but even so a wedge suited to your style of play and course conditions can save you strokes. The only problem with "speciality" clubs is that they are usually a one trick pony using up valuable space in your bag. In other words, they're not very versatile for a variety of shots. There are a few uber wide sole wedges for the serial bunker enthusiast (such as the infamous Alien sand wedge) but in all honesty, the price of a new wedge can probably buy two or three lessons which will cure your woes.

 

[Hallsy]

Bunkers were my nemesis as it was a part of my game i never practised. I even bought one of these http://www.direct-golf.co.uk/golf_wedges/hotblade/tad_moore_blaster_wedge_golf_wedges/p10356.aspx as i thought it would help. It didnt of course as i still didnt use the right technique. With a bit of practice im more confident now with using my 60 degree for compact or shallow sand or my 56 for fluffier lies. I have now sold the Tad Moore