We would all like to play bunker shots from soft sand, fluffy as good do. But for most amateur players, it is not a reality. If you play early morning rounds, winter golf or courses that do not regularly catch bunkers, you will be inserted into wet and compact sand. The traditional “spraying” method will not work the same way. Here is a reliable plan for treating wet or compact sand, including how to adjust your configuration, what club to use and how to practice this stroke.
Step by step: How to hit by wet sand or compact

Appreciate the lie with your feet
Not all wet and compressed sand is the same. Since you are not allowed to try sand with your club, you can try to get a general feeling of things with your feet.
Gently shake your legs while setting to feel durability. If you cannot dive, it is likely to be compacted. If your feet are slightly immersed, it is likely to have more sand under the surface.
Square club more than usual
In strong sand, the club is more likely to jump the surface. Slightly Squaring the face helps on the main edge cut cleanly.
You will want to eliminate the possibility of a wire wedge stroke on this lie, so keep the Clubface Square.

Hit the closest to the ball
A traditional bunker shot from the fluffy sand has hit you about two inches behind the ball. This impact location allows your ball to navigate in a beautiful pile of sand. In strong sand, this is not what will happen. You will probably break it if you try to hit two inches behind it.
- Aim to hit about half an inch behind the ball.
- You are playing this more like a chip than a complete bunker explosion.
This cleaner strike helps to avoid the club’s climb or dance unpredictably.
Keep the neutral axis, not relying forward
Many axis lean eliminates bounce and causes excavations. It also removes some of the club’s natural attic. Keep the neutral axis in this stroke and make sure the face is square. This should help the jump do his job and bring the ball easily.
Your ball position can be in the center or just in front of the center for this blow.

Stay dedicated and come back
When the sand is wet, it slows down the club down. If you stop returning, the club climbs the wet sand and the ball stays in the bunker. You will have to commit to And keep your arms and chest returning through influence. Be just a little more aggressive and think “Mini Chip Shot with a spray”.
What club do you need to use?
Gaining confidence in the bunker sometimes means using a sand wedge or lobe wedge with which you feel comfortable. However, if you are able to change things a little and go through the clubs, here are some general suggestions based on a lie:
Bunker lie | What to ask | Club and Recommended Configuration |
---|---|---|
Sand filled with difficulty, shallow or wet | Legs do not sink, tight lie | Sand wedge (54-56 °), square face, compact rhythm with acceleration |
The hard top, sand under it | The rusty surface but the legs sink slightly | Wedge lob (58-60 °), slightly open face, spraying movement |
Locked or puddled | Visible pond or buried ball | Sand wedge, square face, sloping sloping stroke |
Fluffy or recently rated | The legs dive slightly, feel soft | Lob Wedge, open face, shot normal bunker explosion |
How to practice this stroke
Most players players avoid practicing bad lies, but this is exactly where you learn more. You may need to create these shots in your practice bunker, but it’s worth it.
- Find the bunker of the strongest practice you can. Go in the morning if possible.
- Sprinkle in a small section of sand to simulate true conditions.
- The lines of visas After the ball in the sand to train by hitting the closer-troop the half-inch and one-inch lines.
Final thoughts
Wet or compacted bunkers are not fun, but they are manageable with some smart adjustments. Treat them more like chips – less for decay, more about the inhalation of the clean ball with control.
office How to play bunker shots from wet or compressed sand first appeared in MygolfSSS.