What to take out of a bunker

[RGDave]

I can't really see the need for a 60 degree wedge, a good bunker shot played with an open face, plenty of sand and the right swing can be played just enough to get over the lip.
If that's not good enough, then too bad.
I use all my wedges out of bunkers from time to time. I'm reasonable, no better. Until it's an issue splashing out and not 1-putting every time, then I'm happy just to play one shot and regulate the distance the best I can.

I can see the idea behind trying a 60, but until your/my technique is absolutely foolproof....

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Its like any component in golf, it needs practice. How amny on here who regularly practice at a range, actually spend any time practicing bunker shots. If you can't get a technique that is fundamentally sound, how can you progress to jusdging distances. I had a bunker lesson earlier in the year and was surprised at how easy it bacam to get out regularly and with a modicum of control most of the time (I still have my nightmares). I've tried to practice a lot more this summer and have got a better idea of how to play various shots and adjust my technique to suit distances and lies. I'm a long way off being a good bunker player but given the amount of times most of us end up in sand its an area most could look at working on

 

[need_my_wedge]

If you read the mags they always advise the splash shot, open up the face,swing steeply with an out to in swing path and don't quit on the shot. Yeah right! if you play at one of the top 100 courses you may just get away with that shot. Try it on a regular course where the sand is compacted hard pan with a 16th of an inch of sand and stones 'cos the green keepers cannot be bothered to airate the sand and watch the bounce of the wedge send your ball 1" off the ground 60 yrds through the green.

Read a good tip on this in a book or magazine a couple of weeks back (can't remember where specifically). If the sand is bare, compacted or wet, then a wedge with a lot of bounce is going to be no good, will literally bounce of the surface and cut through the ball as described above. In these circumstances, better to go the other way and drop down to a pitching wedge or even a 9 iron.

Most of our bunkers are pretty good, quite a few recently been re-sanded to the point your feet sink below the surface, but there are still a couple of bare/ compacted ones here and there. I've taken to walking in the bunker and trying the sand before selecting the club. Followed the advice above and have been having much more success getting out first time.

 

[Smiffy]

55 degree SW, crank the face right open, concentrate about 2" behind the ball and smash it up the bum.
Works for me.

 

[need_my_wedge]

Its like any component in golf, it needs practice. How amny on here who regularly practice at a range, actually spend any time practicing bunker shots. If you can't get a technique that is fundamentally sound, how can you progress to jusdging distances. I had a bunker lesson earlier in the year and was surprised at how easy it bacam to get out regularly and with a modicum of control most of the time (I still have my nightmares). I've tried to practice a lot more this summer and have got a better idea of how to play various shots and adjust my technique to suit distances and lies. I'm a long way off being a good bunker player but given the amount of times most of us end up in sand its an area most could look at working on

I agree with Homer here. I had a bunker lesson in the summer, am still at the stage where out is better than in as opposed to playing class shots out to inches , but now get out much more consistantly, especially after combining my newly learned technique with the previously mentioned advice on sand level club selection.

Our practice ground has a chipping green with two bunkers beside it, 1 shallow one and a rather steep faced one. Whenever I go to the practice ground, I always stop off at the bunkers for a while.

 

[KeefG]

and smash it up the bum.
Works for me.

I'd heard that about you fella

 

[Dodger]

60 cleveland for me every time unless I need to get the ball releasing,then it is the 56.It is one of the best parts of my game,in fact the last time Gary Player was over here he called me up to ask if he and Tony Johnstone could get a clinic off me...

 

[Smiffy]

the last time Gary Player was over here he called me up to ask if he and Tony Johnstone could get a clinic off me...

You don't hear of V.D. much these days do you?

 

[Mark_Aged_42]

Playing from a heavily compacted bunker is my nightmare. So what is the correct technique for moving the ball say 10 metres - where is the ball in the stance, which weapon, face open or closed, swing path etc?
Help!!