How to deal with soggy sand
If you play golf in the winter, you are going to end up at some
point in a bunker filled with wet sand. When your ball is in a wet
bunker don’t automatically think of it as being in sand. The modern
sand wedge is designed with varying degrees of ‘bounce’ to help
keep the head from digging into the sand. The type of sand on the
golf courses you play usually dictates the amount of bounce you
will want to have on your sand wedge. (Just a quick note – if you
are not sure, ask your pro what type of sand wedge he recommends
for you.)
How to deal with soggy sand
If you play golf in the winter, you are going to end up at some point in a bunker filled with wet sand. When your ball is in a wet bunker don’t automatically think of it as being in sand. The modern sand wedge is designed with varying degrees of ‘bounce’ to help keep the head from digging into the sand. The type of sand on the golf courses you play usually dictates the amount of bounce you will want to have on your sand wedge. (Just a quick note – if you are not sure, ask your pro what type of sand wedge he recommends for you.)
There are some physical as well as mechanical changes you need to make to adjust to wet sand. The first thing you need to do is to not automatically reach for your sand wedge when facing a wet bunker shot. Wet sand is much firmer, so trying to ‘splash’ the ball out of a bunker won’t work. The bounce on your sand wedge will most likely cause the club to skip into the ball and a ‘sculled’ shot will be the unhappy result. Instead, you want to approach this shot more like a tight lie shot, so a pitching wedge or nine iron without the bounce is a better choice. The swing you make should be more “V” than “U” shaped; this will also help to eliminate sculling into the ball. Your follow through will be limited. Play the ball a little further back in your stance than a normal sand shot and hit the ball with a crisp, descending blow. This shot won’t generate much backspin so allow for some roll.
You are not allowed to test the sand, so pay attention to the sand’s degree of firmness when you are walking to your ball. If the sand is very firm and the lip is low in front of you, don’t be afraid to grab your putter and putt the ball. This shot requires that there be very little heavy grass between you and the green in order for it to be successful, but it is still an option to consider. The less time the ball spends in the air the better. Fortunately wet winters don’t last long in California, but with a little adjustment to your mechanics you can make things work until the courses dry out.
Just a reminder – any police officer, firefighter or active military personnel can play Eagle Ridge GC Monday through Thursday for half price, so please come see us. Eagle Ridge’s Mini Course is open every Sunday at 2 p.m. for kids 12 and under. Cost is $5 for all the holes you want to play. We provide clubs, balls and tees. Have any golf-related questions? From rules to club fitting you can call me at 408-846-4531 or e-mail me at sk*****@ea**********.com. If you would like to read some of my past tips, you can do so at www.pinnaclenews.com. And don’t forget, if you’re not having fun playing golf call your local PGA or LPGA instructor, we will help. Golf is more fun when you’re improving. Don’t be afraid to be good.
