Use the bounce for better sand shots.

The sand wedge was invented by Gene Sarazen in the early 1930’s.  He was travelling to the British Open each year and like many American competitors, Gene was running into trouble with the green side bunkers that are such a large part of the game in golf’s homeland.  The Squire was just becoming an aviation enthusiast and was taking flying lessons during this time.  He understood how the wind maneuvered around a wing to create lift, and he started to think of the wing shapes and how sand might similarly flow around a golf club-head.  With the adding of considerable “lead” to the bottom of a wedge, Gene invented the sand wedge where the bottom sole rested lower than the leading edge of the club.  Thus bounce.  Gene went on to win the British Open with the inauguration of his sand wedge, and the world of golf has not been the same since. 

It is key that in the sand, this bounce hits the sand first, rather than the leading edge.  This will allow the club to skid or skim through the sand, almost like a speed boat skimming through water.  To accentuate the bounce and it’s ability to work as designed, remember the following set up adjustments for a greenside sand shot:

·         OPEN CLUBFACE.  Open the clubface considerably.  Go ahead.  More than you think.  This will allow you to get aggressive in the sand and accelerate the clubhead which allows for distance control

·         OPEN STANCE.  To offset the open blade and keep the ball toward target, open the stance considerably.  From this open stance, be sure to swing with the line of the feet which will produce a “cutting” type swing motion.

·         SWING LONGER.  Make the swing more of an arm emphasis and keep it on the longer side rather than the shorter side.  What does longer swing mean?  The club will be accelerating which is key. 

From there, pick a spot behind the ball, 1-2 inches depending on softness of sand, and swing the club back and then down on that specific spot and……..HIT DOWN!!  The set-up adjustments you have made will allow for the bounce to work effectively and the club will skim neatly through. 

If you don’t have a sand-wedge, this is a must have for even the half-way serious golfer.  It will save you lots of shots and is effective in more areas than just out of the bunker.  Stop by the Lone Tree golf shop and ask for help picking one out.  We have quite a selection.