When the ball lies differently on the fairway and rough we need to adapt, the same is true with bunkers. Knowing what to change to achieve success can be trial and error, but from a standard shot there is not too much which needs to change in order to get the ball out of the hazard.

There is ‘bounce’ on a sand wedge, which is the sole design which allows the club to bounce out of the sand more than digging into soft sand. Where the sand is very shallow and or compacted hard however, the bounce isn’t what we need.

In picture one you’ll see at address I have the face pointing at the target. The handle of the club and my body weight are both slightly more forward than normal, with the ball more central than normal. This promotes the club moving a little more steeply than normal into impact and allows the leading edge to dig into the hard sand, moving below the ball and therefore sending the ball upwards and out the bunker (picture two). Make sure you follow through fully enough too.

Of course you’ll still need to hit the sand at the correct point. No sand or not enough sand may send the ball into the face of the bunker or beyond the flag, while too much sand will see the club head speed absorbed by the sand and the ball could remain in the bunker or barely clear the face.

Have a few attempts and find out how the ball reacts with different amounts of sand and club head speed. Vary the shots and learn more from your practice in the sand.

If you have any questions for me on how you can improve specific aspects of your game email me on colin@worldofgolf.co.uk and I’ll do my best to offer some tips.