The counterintuitive move you have to make in a firm bunker

From course to course, and sometimes even within one course, you can encounter variety when it comes to the condition of the bunkers. Some have that perfect, pillowy sand with plenty of depth that let you use the bounce of your sand wedge to slide right through. Some have less sand and feel far less inviting. When you’re faced with a bunker that’s light on sand and feels very firm, you need to make one major change in your setup.

“Most golfers instinctively open the clubface in every bunker, but firm sand calls for the opposite,” Golf Digest Best Young Teacher Sara Dickson, out of Wilderness C.C. in Naples, Fla., explains. “We are not going to open the clubface, which exposes the bounce of the club. Instead, we are actually going to close the clubface so it becomes less lofted. What that does is allow the leading edge to dig into the firm sand.”

To get used to what the club feels like with a closed face, Dickson recommends practicing first without a ball.

“Take a few practice swings with the clubface open and notice how the club naturally skims through the sand. The bounce on the sole of the club helps the clubhead exit the sand sooner,” Dickson says. “Then, take a few practice swings with the clubface closed. You will notice the club digs much more into the sand, which is exactly what you want in firm bunkers. It helps you take the proper amount of sand, so you do not skull the ball into the face of the bunker or send it racing across the green.”

The clubface is closed but otherwise treat these shots like a bunker shot with ample sand, Dickson says. So, set up with a wide stance, keep your hands low, and use a lot of wrist hinge going back and coming through.

Standing in a firm bunker with little sand can feel intimidating. But try Dickson’s tip, and you’ll earn confidence for the next time you encounter this tricky shot.