Sometimes if you still have some way to go to the green and the face of the bunker is low enough, you may want to play a mid-iron rather than a sand wedge in order to get more distance.
In order to do this you need to nip the ball of the surface taking as little sand as possible.
A seven-iron is often a good club to use.
STEP ONE
Take a firm footing with the ball nearer your left heel - this will encourage you to hit the ball on the upswing avoiding the sand.
Move your hands down the handle to prevent you digging in and taking too much sand.
Shortening the club like this raises the bottom of the swing and means you should get a clean strike.
Hold the club tighter than normal as this will stop you breaking your wrists - likely to mean you take more sand than you meant to.
STEP TWO
Take a three-quarter swing and play the ball with your hands and arms.
Keep body movement to a minimum.
You need to deliver the clubhead to exactly the right place.
Too low and you'll catch too much sand and leave the ball in the bunker.
Too high and you'll top the ball further into the trap.
STEP THREE
You're aiming for as true a contact as possible as you clip the ball off the top of the sand.
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