The sand wedge shot was popularized in the thirties by Gene Sarazen and, now, the wedge shot has turn into routine for the tour pro. The tour pro has develop into very proficient at this shot. To the point where they not just trying to get the shot close, they are trying to make the shot.
Now, a lot of their effectiveness is due to the practice time they devote in the sand but significantly of their achievement is due to their understanding of the variables that go into hitting a great wedge shot.
We are going to take a look at five of these variables. Hopefully, this will assist us hit superior wedge shots, just like the pros.
1. What is the texture of the sand?
First off, you are not permitted to test the texture of the sand with your golf club or hand but you can feel the texture with your feet. Once more, not digging around with your feet but just your standard stroll into the bunker. The texture is significant since this will tell you what club to use and how you must swing at it. The fast answer is that the firmer the sand the simpler the golf ball will come out. But, we ought to be aware of the bounce in the wedge (that`s a entire write-up).
The bounce in the sand wedge won`t enable the club to dig. That`s why you blade shots out of firm bunkers and on hard pan. So that, if you have a real firm bunker, you must not use a sand wedge but use a pitching wedge (less bounce). Bottom line, test the sand and choose the best club primarily based on the texture.
2. How extended is the shot?
The length of the shot will decide how much you have to have to open the club face and how really hard you need to swing. Clearly, the longer the bunker shot the harder you ought to swing but, as considerably as attainable, you should really keep your swing effort the similar for all bunker shot lengths and just transform how substantially you open the club face. You can practice this, how a great deal you open the club face, in the practice bunker. Be aware, that you are adding additional bounce to the wedge as you open the club face additional. Take into account employing a pitching wedge or nine iron for genuine extended bunker shots.
three. What is the direction of the wind?
Here`s a wonderful tip. Don`t practice bunker shots into the wind! The only factor here is that you need to have to take into account the wind element. Obviously, adjusting your bunker shot to the wind circumstances.
four. How far is the golf ball going to roll right after landing?
This 1 is fairly simple. Is the bunker shot uphill or downhill? Is it into the wind or down wind? Are you hitting the shot off of a downhill, uphill or flat lie? All of these variables will decide how far the golf ball will roll out. The golf ball will roll much less off of the uphill lie and, obviously, a lot more off of the downhill lie.
5. What type of lie do I have?
Is it a clean lie, semi buried or completely buried lie. Out of a clean lie, you will be in a position to quit the ball on the green quite properly. Out of the buried lie, the ball will roll out. Also, out of the buried lie, you will require to close the club face to take some of the bounce off of your sand wedge . You will require the sand wedge to dig a little to get the golf ball out of a buried lie.
There you have it. The sand wedge shot and five variables that will impact it. Hopefully, these golf recommendations will assist you enhance your shots, just like the tour pro, and try to remember a little practice under no circumstances hurts.