If you find yourself facing a deep-bunker shot – or the ball is near the high lip of the bunker – use a 60-degree wedge. Just because you’re in a sand trap, it doesn’t mean you must use a sand wedge every time.
The key to success for these types of shots is getting the ball up in the air as high as possible, as soon as possible.
Use a 60-degree wedge just like a normal sand-wedge shot, but now with more confidence and with added loft. With the sharper angle, the ball will fly higher and land softer than a normal sand-wedge shot.
The ball will land and die with very little spin, instead of hitting hot with strong backspin.
The number one fear with bunker shots is not flying out of the bunker, but using a 60-degree wedge, you can focus on a successful shot near the hole rather than being worried about getting the ball out of the bunker.
If you still have fears of getting out of a bunker – even using a 60-degree wedge – swing by Ridgemark Golf and Country Club. We would love to help you with your sand game.
Rules Question
During a tournament last weekend a player asked his fellow competitors on the eighth tee if the flag was on the back of the green. He later asked if there was a penalty for asking where the pin was located on the green. Should he be penalized for asking for advice? Answer found at the bottom of the column.
AT&T at MPCC
For top locations at Monterey Peninsula Country Club during the AT&T Pro-Am, which runs Feb. 6 through Feb. 12, I received a little help from an AT&T volunteer, my friend Rod Smith. For the best view of the course, he recommends the spectator area between the sixth green, the seventh tee, the 10th green and the 11th tee. This is where concessions and restrooms are available.
Anther spectator area has no restrooms or concessions. It’s located between the third green, the fourth tee, the 17th green and the 18th tee.
Ace for Fernandez
Jose Fernandez aced the eighth hole on the Diablo Course at Ridgemark Golf and Country Club. Dave Wilkins, Roberto Ferrari, and Geoff Kahn witnessed Frenandez’s 122-yard, 8-iron shot.
Rules Answer
No. Advice is any counsel or suggestion that could influence a player in determining his play, such as the choice of a club or the method of making a stroke. Information on the rules or on matters such as the position of hazards or the flagstick on the putting green, is not advice. See Definitions.
