Golf Tips: How to Play Bunker Shots
Bunkers - How to Play Them
Fairway Bunkers
The fairway bunker shot can be an intimidating shot for many
inexperienced golfers. For starters, when playing out of fairway
bunkers, it is wise to take one to two clubs more than normal.
Begin by setting up normally, with your feet slightly dug in for
stability and the ball positioned more toward the middle of your
stance. Next, grip down slightly on the club for greater control.
Right before you begin your backswing, lift your chin off your
chest. That raises your center of gravity and increases your
ability to hit the ball first, which is crucial in executing the
shot. Swing at 70 percent of your normal speed and there’s a good
bet you’ll hit a clean, solid shot.
So, Hitting a shot from a fairway bunker poses no great problem
if the ball has a good lie. (Well, I am really just trying to
build your confidence. I could say, you are in a bunker, you're
score just went up three strokes!!!)
Long or middle irons as well as 3, 4, and 5 woods can be used
with confidence in this situation.
Take a open stance, wider than normal. Work your feet into the
sand for better balance. Play the ball back 1" to 2" to assure
that the club hits the ball before the sand.
Choke down on the shaft.
Close your eyes (just kidding)
From an open stance, aim slightly to the left.
Swing Normal Speed
Pray.
On long fairway bunker shots, try a 5 wood in preference to a
long iron. Don't try to overpower this shot. Restrict your body
turn and swing easy.
Now, if it is a BAD lie, then you need to play the course. Grab
your club you are confident with, between a 7 and SW. Observe the
course. Realize that you are not Tiger Woods. Realize the average
golfer will clunk it out about 75 yards. Aim for a safe fairway
shot to get you back into play. Shoot for the MIDDLE of the
fairway, not left or right, 75 yards 'down bunker'.
Most importantly, follow through on your swing. Most weekend
golfers, whether near the green or in a fairway bunker, STOP
their swing on impact. Golf is simple. You ALWAYS need to follow
through. Again, swing easy and follow through.
Greenside Bunkers
The most common mistake weekend players make in the greenside
bunker is allowing their lower bodies to get too active. If you
shift your weight or make a turn with your lower body, your
swing’s shape and impact position will never be the same from one
swing to the next—you’ll never know whether you’ll leave the ball
in the bunker or skull one 35 yards across the green.
Proper bunker technique requires that you place your weight
forward—and leave it there throughout the swing. Here’s a great
drill to engrain this feeling. Go to a practice bunker and hit 25
bunker shots with your right (for right-handed golfers) heel in
the air—only your right toes should be dug into the sand for
balance. This will position the majority of your weight forward
to begin your swing. If you try to shift your weight back to your
right side as you play the shot, you’ll feel the pressure in your
right toes and you’ll have to fight to keep your right heel from
lowering into the sand. It might feel as though you’re actually
shifting your weight forward in a reverse pivot, but you’re
not—you’re just not used to the feel of the proper bunker
technique.
As you learn to keep your weight forward and quiet your lower
body on these greenside bunker shots, you’ll begin to notice the
ball flying the same distance and on the same trajectory again
and again. Once this happens, you’ll start to develop some touch
and begin to think about not only getting the ball out, but also
about getting it close.
Poor bunker players have a far-too-active lower body. If you make
a turn or weight shift, your swing's shape and the club's impact
position will change from swing-with inconsistent results.
To quiet your lower body bring consistency to your greenside
bunker game, practice hitting sand shots with your right heel
raised. Your swing's shape and club's impact position will be the
same-shot after shot.
Michael Hamilton is an accomplished golfer, and editor of Golf
Tips Weekly Newsletter. His most recent book can be found at:
http://www.free-golf-tip.com/golfebook.htm
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