Sand Trap Shots from Difficult Spots

When we see professional players hit golf balls from the sand it seems like they hit them almost without a flaw. Often the question is not will they take it out of the trap, but just how close will they get it or will they knock it in? They are incredibly talented in their craft, but they do have one advantage that lots of us who play less-than-ideal municipal courses, and that is the quality of sand the professionals enjoy will be near perfect at all times.

That isn't to state the consistency of sand the pros play is identical to what we play. I have been on courses where the texture with the sand would actually vary within the holes, and that obviously takes a lot of adjusting. But regardless of whether you have to play on the river sand that's awfully course or beach sand which can be light and sometimes fluffy, you will need at least some idea of just how you are going to approach different sand textures. Just how damp that sand actually is may also mean much, so here are a couple of ways to play these different sand textures.

1. Soft sand. It'll most certainly become less difficult if you have a sand iron with increased bounce that is the flange on the back or skidding edge of a sand wedge. This of course can prevent you from digging into that soft sand and fluffing your golf shot. Utilizing this kind of sand shot open a face of the club as much as you can to prevent the front edge of the clubface to dig in too deeply. As well you need to have a shallower approach on the ball, which is able to help you to catch less sand. You can try to flatten out your golf swing, but I'd really suggest utilizing a wider foot position that will be a little more open. That will by design bring the golf club in in a lower angle.

2. Firm sand. In case you alternate a lot using different golf courses with soft sand in addition to firm, you may want to think about using two kinds of wedges: with firm sand you should have one with less bounce. With address you'll square your golf club a little more that the front edge will help you dig so it will catch greater sand at the face of the club. Since you also will require somewhat steeper approach in your swing plane, locate your golf ball a bit further back in the stance along with a little bit more bodyweight on the front foot. Bear in mind that this will allow for much less height in the shot and more running when the golf ball arrives at the golf green.