Bunker Play

[AyrshireGolfer]

Anyone want to help me out with a "fools guide" to hitting out of greenside bunkers?

Have looked at more youtube videos that I care to imagine ranging from steep angle of attack to a more low and sweeping motion to get it out the bunker.

It's killing my game just now and ruining generally decent scoring rounds.

Any help appreciated!

 

[bobmac]

Whats the problem AG?
Is it lack of height, distance?

 

[AyrshireGolfer]

Both.

Ultimately I am not getting out the bunker (hitting the lip most of the time).

Feel as if I am taking too much sand, and also probably not accelerating enough through the ball.

 

[GreiginFife]

Are you opening the club face at all (which club are you using in fact as you don't say if it's a SW or LW etc)?
There's many factors IMO, how hard/soft the sand is, how steep the lip is, how far back you are, what stance you have etc.

 

[AyrshireGolfer]

- 60 Degree Wedge.
- Club face open.
- Ball off the heal of my left foot (I am right handed)
- Sand is pretty soft.

 

[GreiginFife]

- 60 Degree Wedge.
- Club face open.
- Ball off the heal of my left foot (I am right handed)
- Sand is pretty soft.

So you aren't getting enough height to clear the lip with an open 60* LW? Have you tried an open 56* to compare the strike and take off?
Personally I tend to put the ball central in my stance for bunker shots, that's a personal preference though and I rarely struggle to get out (using a 56* open face).
I used to use a 60* but stopped as I was getting too much hight and was often not getting the clearance distance. Maybe post a video of your current attempts if you can.

 

[Foxholer]

Could be possible that you are not hitting down on it as much as you need. If you try and 'lift' it out of the bunker, leaning back as you play the shot, things can go awfully wrong. Equivalent in a pitch shot would be leaning back and hitting it fat or topping or skulling it.

So make sure your weight stays slightly more on the left side than centred. A steeper than normal backswing often helps too. And it's a full shot, so finish high.

I use a high bounce 56* rather than a 60* as mine is low bounce which isn't sand oriented.

 

[bobmac]

Ok, here's what I teach

Set up

• feet and body point left of the flag (8- 10 yards)
• Twist your feet into the sand for a firm footing.
• ball position is in line with your left instep/toe (right hander)
• hold your SW near/at the bottom of the grip and turn the face so it points at the flag.
• Imagine (or draw) 2 lines in the sand, 2in and 4in behind the ball
• It may help you if you weaken your grip a touch

Swing

• Make a long swing back AND THROUGH making sure the club enters the sand in between the 2 lines.
• Make sure the clubhead goes at least 2-3 in under the sand and followthrough
• Make sure your belt buckle/naval points left of the target at the end of the swing.
• DO NOT try and swing the club towards the target, swing left as your normal swing/aim

The club will lift the ball out on a cushion of sand which will stop the ball flying across the green so YOU CAN BE FIRM


[video=youtube;c11XYrHSEII]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c11XYrHSEII&list=UUFeb2vdftHQESr49G8ZorhQ& index=4&feature=plcp[/video]

 

[AyrshireGolfer]

Cheers Bob.

Will let you know how I get on.