Understanding your sand wedge and lob wedge is key to playing the wet bunker shot

By Mel Sole,
Contributor

The first aspect of playing a wet bunker shot is to understand the function of both your sand wedge and lob wedge.

The sand wedge has a flange or "bounce" at the bottom of the club. In dry sand this helps the club slide through the sand and not dig in. However, in wet sand that same flange will cause the club to skid and bounce into the ball causing you to "blade" the ball, and the resulting shot goes screaming across the green.

The correct method is to use your lob wedge which has little or no bounce. Open the clubface slightly to take the leading edge out of play, and then just swing normally. The result will be a shallow divot, and the ball will come out with quite a bit of spin.

If you do not have a lob wedge, use your pitching wedge, with the same technique.

Mel Sole is Director of Instruction and owner of the Ritson-Sole Golf Schools. He has been named a "Top Teacher in North America" by Golf Magazine and is one of only four top teachers selected in South Carolina. His lessons have also appeared in Golf Digest, Golf Magazine and Golf Illustrated.