Lesson #18 TUE TRAP UXFULOSTON SHOT

 

There's a constant controversy over the playing of the sand wedge or heavy soled
niblick The great vlayers of a decade ago declare th:t by the use of this one
iron alone the modern star has taken several strokes from every round.

That is probably true but the game is difficult enough anyway, so if this club
has made a difficult hazard easier to overcome let's by all means have a sand iron
in our bag and learn to play it.

In the explosion shot the wide flange sole of the wedge rides or glides through
the sand, and a firm sweeping shot with a full follow-through will take the ball up
and out.

There's a difference of course in the power of golfers, but this is minimized
by the amount of sand between your wedge's face and the ball. So no matter how
strong you are hit firmly and by practice determine just how far you should hit
behind the ball to acquire various distances.

, The wedge shot is a very upright one. The feet are placed so that the ball is
played well ahead and even with the left foot. The stance is slightly open, and
the feet must be very firmly set into the sand. In setting the feet you may deter-
mine the density of the sand, for you may not touch the sand in a trap with your
club head without penalty.

In taking the club head back do not use body turn or pivot and bend the left
knee in very slightly. Remember you do not hit the ball but hit into the sand
behind it, and that the sanc cushions your wedge face so that you will get very
little roll. So do not baby the shot no matter how close the pin - just hit firmly
and let the anthent es sand taken determine the distance.

There are of course several types of sand from the fine white dense sand of the
sea side courses to the large grain sand of many inland traps, and all of it plays
differently when wet. So the really right way to learn to cut these strokes from
your game is to take a bag of practice balls and your favorite pro out with this new
wedge and learn to master it right at home. Don't be surprised if he nearly faints
when you ask him for a lesson on the wedze, for no one mows better than he does how

few of us are taking full advantaze of this real stroke saving club.