How to Hit a Sand Wedge From the Fairway

The sand wedge is one of several wedges used by a golfer, and though the name suggests its use, it can also be useful for fairway shots. The sand wedge has a 56-degree angle on the face. More importantly, it has a greater amount of bounce, which is the extra metal added to the bottom of the club. This extra bounce can be useful for getting your ball out of the sand, but can make fairway shots more difficult if not taken with care.

Instructions

    • 1

      Use the sand wedge from the fairway when you are roughly 90 yards from the hole, plus or minus 10 yards. This is the ideal range for a sand wedge.

    • 2

      Aim for your target, which is most likely the pin from the 90-yard range, and do not hit short, expecting the ball to roll or otherwise carry forward. A sand wedge, like your other wedges, will create a lot of backspin on the ball because of the extreme face angle, and your ball will stop much more quickly than it will with other irons.

    • 3

      Take the shot. Be very careful not to dig the sand wedge into the ground. The extra bounce on the bottom of the club will make it skip off the fairway far more easily than another iron would, which will cause you to top your shot.