Soft Sand Versus Firm Sand

One of the biggest misconceptions in golf is that there is only one way to play a bunker shot. The reality is that the type of sand you are playing from will determine the technique you should use. Some bunkers have very soft, fluffy sand whereas others can be quite firm and compact. Understanding the difference between the two is extremely important because the amount the club digs into the sand will completely change depending on the conditions. Many golfers struggle in bunkers simply because they use the exact same technique every time regardless of the type of sand.

If you're someone playing from soft sand, you want to make sure the club uses more bounce through impact. The easiest way to do this is by opening the club face more at set-up. By opening the face, the bounce on the bottom of the wedge prevents the club from digging too deeply into the sand. Soft sand already creates plenty of resistance, so if the leading edge digs too much the club can slow down dramatically and the ball will often stay in the bunker. You should feel as though the club is gliding or skimming through the sand rather than cutting sharply into it.

If you're playing from firmer sand, the technique changes slightly. With firm sand, you generally want the face only slightly open because you actually want the club to dig a little more into the surface. If the face is too open on firm sand, the bounce can cause the club to bounce off the surface and strike the ball too thin. A slightly squarer face allows the leading edge to interact with the sand a little more effectively and gives you greater control over strike and distance. You should feel as though the club is entering the sand with a little more pressure compared to the softer bunker shot.

A couple of important things to remember when practising bunker shots is to always pay attention to the texture of the sand before you hit. Many golfers walk straight into the bunker and play the shot without assessing the conditions first. Another important point is to make sure you continue accelerating through the sand regardless of whether it is soft or firm. Deceleration is one of the biggest reasons golfers struggle from bunkers because the club slows down too much before it reaches the ball. Also remember that these adjustments are subtle. You don't need massive changes in technique, just slight adjustments to how open the face is at address.

If you'd like any further help with bunker play or understanding how to adjust to different sand conditions, just contact myself at David Waters Golf located at Emerald Lakes Golf Coaching Centre.