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Using only the lob wedge for bunker shots is costing you strokes. Here's why

Golfers who rely solely on their lob wedge for bunker shots may be missing out on a key stroke-saving strategy. While familiarity with a single club can offer comfort, limiting options to just one tool—especially for longer shots—can lead to missed opportunities.

PGA professional Ross Kinnaird shared an anecdote about playing with Marty Jertson, an engineer at Ping and a former PGA Championship qualifier, who used an 8-iron instead of a wedge for an 80-yard bunker shot. By adopting a more aggressive swing with a lower-lofted club, Jertson blasted the ball closer to the hole, demonstrating how adjusting loft and technique can improve accuracy and reduce the risk of errant shots.

The approach was further validated by Bryson DeChambeau, who used a 55-degree wedge to execute a critical long bunker shot during his U.S. Open victory at Pinehurst No.

2 in 2024, sealing his win with precision rather than brute force. Even on flat bunkers with minimal lip, Kinnaird now opts for a 50-degree gap wedge and a controlled swing, allowing the ball to roll out an additional 30 feet or more—a far more reliable outcome than a lob wedge attempt that often results in skulls or flubs.

The lesson? Flexibility in club selection and shot shape can transform bunker play from a liability into a strategic advantage.

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