"The Bare Facts"

• For full shots from hardpan, a normal set-up and swing will be effective as long as you hit the ball before the ground.  To ensure that you do, strive for a full, in-balance finish; this will encourage acceleration through the ball, and reduce your chances of swinging too steeply (and hitting a fat shot).

• For pitches and chips, it's also crucial to hit ball first, ground second.  Position the ball an inch behind center in your stance and keep the hands ahead of the clubhead past impact.

• Don't use a wedge with too much bounce - the trailing edge hanging lower than the leading edge. Clean contact is easier with a flat-soled club.

• Better players can hit lofted pitches with a sand wedge even if it has some bounce.  Set the club's toe behind the ball and hold the shaft nearly vertical, raising the heel of the club in the air.  Because there is less bounce under the toe, you can use your normal swing to make clean contact, and still impart plenty of loft.