A player attempting a short distance greenside bunker shot should use a steeper angle of approach than for a longer greenside bunker shot.

A player attempting a short distance greenside bunker shot should use a steeper angle of approach than for a longer greenside bunker shot.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It depends on the lie of the bunker
• D. It matters not

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that technique for greenside bunker shots is determined by how the sand and ball sit, not just by how far you are from the hole. The angle of attack you use should fit the bunker lie and texture because that dictates how much sand you must compress behind the ball and how the club will release. If the ball is sitting up in soft, fluffy sand, a steeper path can help you strike more sand behind the ball and loft the ball quickly, producing a higher, softer landing. But if the ball is buried or sitting down in firmer sand near the lip, a shallower angle of approach may be safer to avoid digging too deep and to ensure the club travels through the sand cleanly and the ball emerges on a controlled arc. So, the best answer is that it depends on the lie of the bunker. The other options imply a universal rule or no effect, which doesn’t account for how different bunker conditions change the necessary attack angle.

The key idea is that technique for greenside bunker shots is determined by how the sand and ball sit, not just by how far you are from the hole. The angle of attack you use should fit the bunker lie and texture because that dictates how much sand you must compress behind the ball and how the club will release.

If the ball is sitting up in soft, fluffy sand, a steeper path can help you strike more sand behind the ball and loft the ball quickly, producing a higher, softer landing. But if the ball is buried or sitting down in firmer sand near the lip, a shallower angle of approach may be safer to avoid digging too deep and to ensure the club travels through the sand cleanly and the ball emerges on a controlled arc.

So, the best answer is that it depends on the lie of the bunker. The other options imply a universal rule or no effect, which doesn’t account for how different bunker conditions change the necessary attack angle.