Question: Are there any wedges out there specifically designed for golfers who struggle in the bunkers? Asking for a friend.
Answer: The wedges on this year’s Hot List provide enough options that you can definitely find one that will ease your troubles in the sand. That said, we understand some players get confused by a plethora of bounce/grind choices.
Although most average golfers marvel at the ability of the pros to pop the ball out of the sand and have it spin like it’s on a yo-yo, plenty of players have a more restrained goal when it comes to their own bunker game: Get it out of the sand and somewhere on the green. The same holds true for many pitch and chip shots, by the way.
For those who fear the blade, the chunk or the shot that hits the lip and returns to your feet, there is help to be found. Although not solely designed as “emergency” wedges, Cleveland’s CBZ and TaylorMade’s Hi-Toe 4 feature wide soles that make bunker play easier.
If you’re seeking even more of an assist, Callaway’s CB12, Cleveland’s Smart Sole and Ping’s BunkR were created to be more foolproof around the green.
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Instructor Hank Haney was involved in an earlier Callaway specialty wedge, the Sure Out, and some of what he said then still holds true. “The big problem people have with the normal sand wedge,” Haney said, “is you have to open the face, and that terrifies a lot of average golfers.”
Haney went on to say, “The other thing is when you swing into the sand, the sand offers resistance. So part of the goal is to design a club where there’s very little resistance with the sand so even somebody with very little clubhead speed can still get the ball out of the bunker.”
The aforementioned Callaway CB12, Cleveland Smart Sole and Ping BunkR boast a specialized sole and significant bounce that make it easier to splash the ball out almost regardless of skill level. Further, they’re designed to be played with a square face at address and impact, taking away some of the fear factor Haney described.
A word of caution, though: These specialty wedges have fewer loft options. But for players simply seeking an easy exit from sand, they’re a viable option for sure.
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
