[ThinkingPlus]

This seems to be a good approach. I played 9 yesterday and tried this approach in the first bunker I wandered into (really crappy 9-iron I hit from a side hill lie on the 8th). I played the ball just back of the middle of my stance, opened the club a bit, hit down behind the ball, and employed vertical hinging as I always do. The ball popped out nice and high about 20 yards to about 6' (yes I missed the putt - cost me an under par 9).

It felt as though I had greater distance control and did not have to swing as hard. I suspect with the ball far forward it was much harder for me to get much oomph into my sand shots. I also tended to hit them a little fat. With the ball back I felt like I had more control over where I entered the sand and subsequently did not have to swing near as hard. I practiced a little in the bunkers after finishing 9 and found I could make much easier controlled swings to vary my distance. Kind of amazing really out of practice bunkers hard as rocks. I think I'll keep this approach for awhile. It will be interesting to see if Natalie improves her bunker play as well.