Normally when you’re in a greenside bunker, the routine is to open up your stance and clubface. Usually, you play the ball well forward, and swing the club outside and through to hit the ball a fairly short distance.

But what should you do if you’re 100 yards from the flag?

In that situation, I like to use my 8-iron instead of my sand wedge or pitching wedge. I open my stance and the face of the club only slightly, and I play the ball forward in my stance.

I try to make a rounded swing motion to ensure good contact and proper distance. It’s like making a cutting action across the ball. I try swing the club a little to the outside going back. Then I swing down and through the sand to the left. The ball should come out of the sand high and soft with this type of swing action.

It’s a great way to hit a bunker shot from 100 yards. You don’t always have to use your sand wedge or pitching wedge on a 100-yard shot. Experiment with your 8-iron or maybe even your
7-iron; you won’t believe what you can do with both clubs in the sand.

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