When playing that all important soft landing wedge shot over the bunker or indeed anywhere around the green, one of the most important factors is to encourage a descending blow into impact. If you are looking for more control on the distance you hit these shots, then the strike pattern has to be similar each and every time you play this shot, a major factor in this consistency is a descending blow. 

A great drill to help achieve this correct angle of attack into the ball is to place an umbrella or empty sleeve of balls, about 6 inches or so behind the ball. Now set-up to the shot, checking your weight is positioned nicely onto the left foot (for you right hand players), ball position centre and stance slightly narrower than usual. From here simply swing the club up and over the umbrella and then back down again, allowing the club to descend into the back of the ball, missing the umbrella in the process and giving the perfect ball/turf strike pattern. If you strike the umbrella first then you would have tried to scoop the ball up yourself, rather than trusting the club to get the job done. In addition to this your weight will have probably moved back onto the right side, a classic mistake we see all too often during initial lessons. So keep the weight left and swing up and down over the obstacle and the strike pattern will be hugely improved and way more consistent than previously. 

Best of luck with this, any problems or thoughts, as always feel free to get in touch!!