Bunker Help!

[allezmatty]

Hi,

This is the first time I have posted so appologies if I'm going over old Ground.

I have the ability to get my ball out of the sand OK, Sand first out she pops, and rolls a few yards, the problem I have is thats ok when the pin is close to the bunker. What should I be doing when its 20 yards or more away, as at the moment i'm a one trick pony.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Smiffy]

Aim to hit the sand a "little" closer to the ball and don't crank the club open quite as much.
You still need to take a bit of sand with it or else people will be ducking as your ball thins it's way through the clubhouse window!
It's trial and error, and practice.
Closer to the pin take more sand and crank the club wide open.

 

[Robobum]

What loft do you use out of the sand? Do you always use that club?
How do you need to cover those 20yds is the first question you need to ask??

If you can get the ball on the green and run it towards the flag, stand squarer to the target, keep the clubface squarer to the target and and hit into the sand 2" or so behind the ball. The ball will come out with loads of sand and run out once it gets on the green. You can even use something like a pitching wedge or 9i to do this and get it to go even further if needed.

If you have to fly it that distance then consider using less loft again (I'll hit my 54* or even 50*) stand only slightly open. Stick with hitting 2" or so behind as this will help you get consistency. Then it's just hard work and practice.

The mistake a lot of amateurs make is getting in the bunker and opening the face wide open as they have seen it on telly, there is plenty of loft built into the club already so no need to have it pointing skywards when you are struggling with sand shots in general.

 

[Split_Fairway]

have you seen tis months GM? theres an article on long splash shots in the instructions

 

[griffgolf]

I find that if you want to go short open the face of a more lofted wedge and swing out to in hitting 2 inches behind the ball.

If I want to go long I use a less lofted wedge not as open faced and swing straight back.

Works well for me