Best Wedge for a Terrible Bunker Player

[OspreyCI]

21 minutes ago, Strategery said:

Here is the thing about sand:

1. A good bunker player can play with any wedge.

2. A bad bunker player cannot be helped by any wedge.

Haha. I am semi bad then. This new wedge has made a difference. 

[Moby]

Cleveland Smart Sole

[hammergolf]

6 hours ago, OspreyCI said:

Update to my thread. Worked hard on my technique from your guys posts and got a TM MG3 HB 60 and in my practice it has made a tremendous difference. Much, much better now. Thanks fellas. 

Great!

[RainShadow]

On 11/12/2021 at 5:45 PM, LukeDonaldsTiger said:

I second this. I watched a great clip by fellow WRXer @iteachgolf and he says lowering the body and hands allows for a shallower AOA and hence a longer, shallower divot. This in turn gives you more room for error as the club doesn’t dig and you glide under the ball. See the link below. 
 

As for equipment, a 60/10 works for me but I’m not sure what grind is best. 56/14 for fluffy sand. 
 

 

 This might be the best bunker lesson video I've seen! Very calm, covers the technique well for a couple of different shots while explaining the cause/effect.

 I saved this to my YT account. I've tried the Phil videos and a few others, as well as in person lessons, but this one is excellent. 

[GoTime]

On 11/12/2021 at 5:43 PM, OspreyCI said:

I am just terrible out of the bunker. My course has pretty good sand and that is not the issue. Been working hard on being better. Using a 60 PXG wedge with 9* of bounce. Looking for any brand of wedges to help me more. Bunkers having been costing me too many strokes. 
 

TM Hi Toe? What are the suggestions? 

 

Take a lesson. Bunker shots are one of the easiest in golf.

[nsxguy]

28 minutes ago, GoTime said:

 

Take a lesson. Bunker shots are one of the easiest in golf.

 

For accomplished players, sure.

 

But partial swings are always problematical for a huge percentage of the golfing public.

 

Never mind "convincing" them they shouldn't hit the exact thing they're trying to hit for every other shot during the round.

[SW20 MR2]

For the longest time, I played a 60* out of the sand, but like most mid/high cappers, I'd leave it in the sand or blade it across the other side.  One day, I decided to use my G25 PW instead, and I actually had a lot more success using that instead.  I just stopped worrying about trying to stick it close and just focused on getting it onto the green instead.  I've paired the PW with my CBX 56* degree depending on the shot, and I'm so much more confident now.

[GoTime]

On 12/5/2021 at 11:28 AM, nsxguy said:

 

For accomplished players, sure.

 

But partial swings are always problematical for a huge percentage of the golfing public.

 

Never mind "convincing" them they shouldn't hit the exact thing they're trying to hit for every other shot during the round.

 

not really. the margin for error in bunker shots is enormous. this more heavily favors the unskilled higher handicap player.

 

What other shot can your entry point into the hitting surface vary by like 4-6 inches and still have a relatively successful result?

Edited December 7, 2021 by GoTime

[nsxguy]

2 minutes ago, GoTime said:

 

not really. the margin for error in bunker shots is enormous. this more heavily favors the unskilled higher handicap player.

 

What other shot can your entry point into the hitting surface vary by like 4-6 inches and still have a relatively successful result?

 

I understand that. You understand that. Even the average player understands that.

 

But understanding it and doing it are 2 different things.

[Jwin323]

A drill I use—- lay a tee on the ground behind your ball perpendicular to your path. Practice sliding your wedge under the tee and make sure to follow through. Provides a nice visual for the “ enter the sand 2” behind the ball” advice.

 

As far as wedges go, I’ve found greater camber to be more helpful than a lot of bounce. I play a lot in hard compacted sand but it also works in the softer stuff as well.

Edited December 24, 2021 by Jwin323

[Justsomeguy]

Cleveland CBX 56. Amazing sand club, good enough around the green even if clunky.

Technique for average conditions? Alignment left of target (for R hander), face open a little and pointing at target. Nestle feet down into sand to make low point lower. Swing away. Go all the way through, don't stop.

[SW20 MR2]

Looks like a lot of fellow CBX users!

Edited December 25, 2021 by SW20 MR2

[dekez]

On 12/6/2021 at 10:15 PM, GoTime said:

 

not really. the margin for error in bunker shots is enormous. this more heavily favors the unskilled higher handicap player.

 

What other shot can your entry point into the hitting surface vary by like 4-6 inches and still have a relatively successful result?

I dont think this is true for all types of sand.  On a nice course or at a country club, sure.  It doesn't work so well when you are playing courses with 1/2" sand at the deepest and that is only raked several times per year.

[OspreyCI]

Spoke the the Pro at the local

course where I practice and he said short game lessons are his specialty. He said he could get me fixed up right away. Can’t wait to get a lesson with him. 

[14max]

On 11/12/2021 at 4:53 PM, Jmccas said:

Ping Glide 3.0 Eye2 

Or, really, any Eye2 (not Eye2+) sand wedge.  They're incredibly easy to use in a ton of situations...

[asKaasa]

Nike Engage Toe Sweep.

[joelafives]

On 11/12/2021 at 5:45 PM, LukeDonaldsTiger said:

I second this. I watched a great clip by fellow WRXer @iteachgolf and he says lowering the body and hands allows for a shallower AOA and hence a longer, shallower divot. This in turn gives you more room for error as the club doesn’t dig and you glide under the ball. See the link below. 
 

As for equipment, a 60/10 works for me but I’m not sure what grind is best. 56/14 for fluffy sand. 
 

 

I like this video but that's not the kind of sand that I see here in the Phoenix area.  It's usually wet and hard and thin.  Wet because when the courses  water the fairway and greens, the bunkers get it as well.   Seems like I have to chip it out a lot of the time.