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Understanding how a sand wedge works is very important to your success in playing a bunker shot. You must understand that you are using the bottom of the club which is called the bounce. If you look at the bottom of the club the trailing edge is lower than the leading edge. When the club strikes the sand behind the ball the trailing edge hits first and bounces the leading edge under and forward propelling the ball out of the bunker. This is the only shot in golf that you are not trying to hit the ball in the percussion point (sweet spot) of the face. You should not allow the club face to close during the execution of this shot. You are trying to maintain the true loft of the wedge.

Playing the shot: Play the ball forward, about on your front instep, with a fairly wide stance. Dig your feet in so you have a nice solid base, place your weight into your front foot and keep it there during the swing. This will minimize your lower body movement. Hold the club with light pressure in your hands. The club should be in the air and behind the ball with club face pointing at the target. Most sand wedges have enough loft on them so you don't have to open it, just lay it back by keeping your hands slightly behind the ball. This will add more loft to the club and lower the bounce. As you look down at the ball it will be in your field of vision, don't focus on it, look at the club face. That's about where the club will enter the sand. Now create some velocity with your arms and try and splash the sand under the ball all the way on to the green.

Golfingly yours, Tim Peightal