PHOTO PROVIDED
The ball rides on a sand divot.

When hitting out of a green-side bunker, the club does not touch the ball. The ball is carried out on a sand divot, approximately the size of a dollar bill.

An excellent thought is to imagine a board buried approximately an inch below the ball and the sand wedge will bounce off the board, carrying the ball out. This thought will help you gauge how much sand you want to take out with the ball. The amount of sand you should take out is approximately the size of a dollar bill.

Now, you have the imaginary board for the depth and the dollar bill to gauge how long your divot should be. Remember the closer you hit the ball and the shallower your divot, the further the ball will travel.

The club should not pass the hands. The angle between the left arm and the club shaft remains constant; the back of the left leading hand points to the sky. Don’t try to dig it out. Rather, allow the sand wedge to do the work.

Some modern players add loft by pointing the palm of their right hand to the sky. I call it a scoop. This can lift the ball while creating a soft landing. This type of shot is utilized for shorter distances where height is needed.

Practice sand shots and experiment with different lies, and you will enjoy this great game called golf.

Rick Musselman, golf author and professional, owns Musselman’s Golf in Williamsport.