How to Play a Bunker Shot from a Wet or Soft Sand Lie

If you find yourself in a bunker with wet or soft sand, it can make getting out of the sand trap more challenging. However, with the right technique and club selection, you can still successfully play a bunker shot. Here are some tips on how to play a bunker shot from a wet or soft sand lie.

• Choose the right club: When faced with a wet or soft sand lie, it's important to select a club with more loft to help the ball get out of the bunker. A sand wedge or lob wedge is typically the best choice as they have the necessary loft to lift the ball out of the soft sand.
• Open the clubface: To facilitate the loft needed to get the ball out of the wet or soft sand, open the clubface slightly before taking your stance. This will increase the effective loft of the club and help the ball to pop up quickly.
• Take a wider stance: To maintain stability and prevent the club from digging too deep into the sand, take a slightly wider stance than usual. This will help you maintain balance throughout the swing and limit the potential for chunking the shot.
• Position the ball slightly forward: Place the ball slightly forward in your stance, about an inch or two ahead of the center. This will encourage a steeper angle of attack and help prevent the club from getting stuck in the soft sand.
• Focus on the sand, not the ball: When executing the shot, your focus should be on striking the sand behind the ball rather than the ball itself. This is because the sand will help launch the ball out of the bunker. Aim to hit about 2 inches behind the ball, allowing the clubhead to slide through the sand with ease.
• Accelerate through impact: To generate enough power and prevent the club from getting stuck in the sand, make sure to accelerate through the shot. Maintain a smooth, even tempo as you swing the club, with the acceleration happening just before impact.
• Follow through: After striking the sand, continue your swing and follow through. This will help ensure the ball carries the necessary distance and provides a cleaner shot outcome. Keep your body and hands moving toward the target as you complete the swing.
• Practice: Playing bunker shots from wet or soft sand lies can be tricky, so it's essential to practice this shot regularly to get comfortable with the technique. Head to the practice bunker and simulate different lies, focusing on executing the proper technique outlined above.

Remember, playing a bunker shot from a wet or soft sand lie requires a slightly different approach but with practice, you can master this shot and save strokes around the green.

So next time you find yourself in a bunker with wet or soft sand, keep these tips in mind, and you'll be well-equipped to tackle the shot successfully.