I played Trump National in Charlotte last week. The course is a little like the Sahara Desert with patches of grass here and there. Yes, there are lots of sand-filled hazards and some are almost as deep as The Grand Canyon.
But yea though I walk through the valley of traps and bunkers, I shall fear no sand, because I have my xE1 sand wedge with me.
Two years ago, I was having a great round at Heritage Oaks in Harrisonburg, playing with my friend Mike Perry. We came to Hole 16, a long dogleg par 5 with the approach shot over a creek and brush. I cleared the mess in three but landed in a trap above the green. I chunked one back into the sand, then sent the second shot across the green, ending up with a double bogey seven. Damn!
Then Mike reached in his bag and pulled out a strange looking wedge and said to go back and hit my shot out of the trap with his club.
“Just swing through the ball. That’s all,” he said.
I did and the ball popped out neatly and settled about 6 feet from the pin.
The club was an xE1 sand wedge. Mike said he found it used for about $20. I offered him a hundred on the spot, but he declined.
“Look for a used one on-line,” he suggested.
I went to a used club site and saw one for $49.95. I bought it and it was the best $50 I’ve ever spent. Anytime I hit a trap at Trump National, I simply made a swing through the ball – a bit behind it – and it came out. It almost has to because the bottom of the club is so heavy, it blasts stuff out of its way. Mine is a 55 degree loft and there’s no need to open your stance or clubface. Just set up square and swing.
The xE1 wedge’s sole is extra wide and its mass has been repositioned so the golf club slides through the sand without skipping or digging. With the extreme loft, you can pop the ball high, over any lip, and straight to the pin. With this wedge, you’ll never again fear the sand.
It is amazing.
Pros don’t have a problem with sand because they spend hours and hours practicing bunker shots. I barely have enough time to roll a few putts before my round, much less spend time practicing sand shots.
If you are a weekend warrior like me, do yourself a favor and buy an xE1 sand wedge to get out of the sand every time. It’ll change your golf life.