Everyone reaches for the 58° in a bunker… Erika doesn't.
Top 50 golf coach Erika Larkin explains why choosing a 52° gap wedge over a 58° lob wedge is often superior for uphill lies in fluffy bunker sand. She demonstrates how higher bounce prevents club digging while the uphill slope supplies the necessary dynamic loft.
Uphill bunker lies naturally add 5–10° of dynamic loft at impact, eliminating the need for a high-lofted lob wedge.
Fluffy sand requires high bounce (e.g., 14° on a 52° gap wedge vs. 8° on a 58° lob wedge) to help the clubhead glide rather than dig.
Square up or slightly open the face of a gap wedge instead of opening a lob wedge wide.
Execute a standard bunker swing with gentle wrist hinge to splash the sand smoothly.
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