100 Yard Bunker

Normally when you're in a greenside bunker, the routine is to really 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-type of swing motion to ensure good contact and proper distance. It's kind of 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.