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Sandtrap SAVVY...

Pat Lange
Master LPGA
Teaching Professional

• 1. Texture of the sand - it will determine the type of shot to be played. Fine/light sand - imagine the ball sitting on a slice of bread and you’re going to use your sand wedge to remove it from under the ball but only the depth of the bread slice. Heavy/wet sand - a lofted club with less sole bounce than a sand wedge, such as a pitching wedge, may help you from “blading” the ball and still allow you to use an aggressive, V-shaped swing to easily “splash” the ball off of the slice of bread. The most common error players have with greenside bunker play is failing to follow through. Use a V shaped swing to “splash” the ball onto the green in a smooth motion.
  
• 2. Understanding sole bounce. A pitching wedge has minimal sole bounce with generally 48 to 52 degrees of loft. A sand wedge has most sole bounce (to resist imbedding in sand) and loft is 54 to 56 degrees. A lob wedge has medium sole bounce for dual purpose grass or sand use. Loft is 60 to 64 degrees. Overall, form a plan by looking at the condition and depth of the bunker, the distance out of the bunker and the amount of green you have to work with. Imagine the types of shot you want to play and then choose an appropriate club to accomplish the task. Sounds easy enough. You will find it is easy with a little practice to build up your confidence. Keep it simple!

Pat Lange is an LPGA Master Professional and the owner of Lange, Golf, Inc., a club manufacturing facility in Lakewood, Colarado. Pat has been a member of the LPGA since 1965, and is highly respected by her peers for her extensive knowledge about golf equipment and clubfitting. Pat is an outstanding teacher of the game; in 1989 she was voted National LPGA Golf Professional of the Year. She was one of the first 15 members named Master Professional in the LPGA. She has been nominated LPGA Teaching Professional of the Year five times and received the Colarado Sportswoman Leadership award in 1990.

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http://www.langegolf.com/