Part IV: Bunkers And Trouble Play
Lesson #74: Go Ahead, Have A Blast

If the ball is sitting up, a water blast is no more difficult than a bunker shot.

Your ball has trickled into the edge of a water hazard. It's not totally submerged, but the situation looks bleak. Don't be afraid of playing this shot - a little water never hurt anyone.

Most golf teachers will tell you not to attempt to explode a ball that is more than half submerged, but I think you can go ahead and give it a whack as long as at least some part of the ball is above the surface of the water.

Second, be careful of your club selection. You may have heard that you should play this shot with a pitching wedge because of its ability to knife down into the water. All I can say is I've tried it, and it doesn't work for me. True enough, the club cuts into the water, but then it wiggles around like a fish instead of continuing to descend to the ball. The sand wedge, on the other hand, uses its flange to disperse the water and blast a path to the ball- After all, the shot is played exactly like an explosion from a bunker - and that advice should extend to the choice of club.

But the best way to learn this shot is to practice it. You say you don't want to get your clothes messed up? Then save this shot for a rainy day. Next time you're caught in sloppy conditions - and already a mess - take a couple of balls and give the water blast a try. You may not use the shot often, but when you play it successfully, it can really give you a lift.

Illustration by Jim McQueen

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