Bunkered

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Advice please. We are in the process of rebuilding most of our bunkers (a multi-year project) putting new sand into all bunkers. My problem is that I am really, really struggling to adapt my bunker play to the new sand. The old sand was fairly firm and heavy - you got quite a feel through the shot. The new sand is much deeper and feels finer/lighter and more 'airey/fuffy' - don't know how else to describe it.

My technique is a simple one. Open stance, club face a open and pointing in direction I want shot to go; legs bent slightly at knees towards green; steep pick-up and splash down behind ball and make sure I do good follow through. Grand - has stood me in good stead for 30yrs

But I'm absolutely hopeless getting out of the new sand. My club ploughs down deep into the sand and often the ball barely moves and I really struggle with clubhead deceleration. I have tried taking away on less steep plane but tend thin the ball or do the horrors. In despair - if I go in the new sand my spirit collapses. I know I am going to struggle - my head is asking 'what do I do? - I don't know how to get out of this sand' Help!!

note - I use a 56 Vokey out of the sand.

 

[richart]

What is the bounce on your sand iron ? I had 8 degrees on mine and struggled with new sand in our bunkers. Now got 13 degrees and much better. Just a thought.

 

[Stuey01]

A tip that helped me a bit was to try to get the feeling that you are hitting the back of the wedge into the sand, that way you use the bounce and don't dig.
Have you a practice bunker available with the same sand in it? A shag bag of 50 balls and a hour or two in there will surely see you right.

 

[garyinderry]

try standing a little more square. i was practising in fluffier than usual sand at the weekend. when i opened the blade i was getting to much bounce.

worth a go!

 

[Region3]

A tip that helped me a bit was to try to get the feeling that you are hitting the back of the wedge into the sand, that way you use the bounce and don't dig.

^^This

If the club is digging then the leading edge is most likely hitting the sand first, and if the ball comes out it comes out like it's been from a plugged lie and will run a bit.
If you have the ball too far back in your stance or your hands too far forward at impact the club can also dig.
You can practice the swing on grass. Just imagine trying to slap the back of the club into the grass. If you get it right it will just bounce off it.

I also find that you don't need to aim as far left with your feet as much as you open the face.

 

[Wayman]

A tip that helped me a bit was to try to get the feeling that you are hitting the back of the wedge into the sand, that way you use the bounce and don't dig.
Have you a practice bunker available with the same sand in it? A shag bag of 50 balls and a hour or two in there will surely see you right.

Exactly what I was going to say
I know which type of sand you mean they are doing it at my place few years ago
I was told just hit into the sand the club will do the work

 

[CMAC]

[video=youtube_share;yI-E4ksTuG4]http://youtu.be/yI-E4ksTuG4[/video]

 

[CMAC]

[video=youtube_share;KchCoUuPRO4]http://youtu.be/KchCoUuPRO4[/video]

 

[North Mimms]

Great to hear Luke say "bunkers... the part of the game that I really enjoy...."

If only I could think the same...

 

[Foxholer]

Notice the part where Luke says 'thin divots'? That's completely the opposite of what you are doing with your 'steep pick-up'.

Stance doesn't need to be wide open either - a little open and swing along line of feet is fine. Speed is the key - and a divot the size of a dollar note!

Here's Pete Cowen's demo lesson on it - I wouldn't try the 'butterfly grip (yet) though, just make sure you don't close the face in the back-swing. Most important point he makes, imo, is about the angle of the shaft/hands being behind the ball.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAZjDJosaL4

This technique should also be applicable to hard-packed type of sand, though more loft could help if the base is solid. The alternative is to use your current technique on un-refurbished bunkers - as long as you can tell the difference.

When the sand is soggy/baked/really hard-packed, that steep swing is the only way to get enough power to get that 'dollar note' amount of sand - a condition the 'real Pros' rarely experience!

Good Luck!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Thanks all - some excellent food for thought and practice (but gawd I hate practicing). In 40+yrs of playing I've never experienced the sort of problems I'm having - my technique seems to have always been fine - but then I've rarely if ever played out of bunkers like our new ones.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I would suggest an hour in the practice bunker assuming it now replicates those on the course and work on what the wise old sages on here have advocated. It will need time to refine your technique and get the feel back. You only get out what you put ina nd even though you don't like to practice this may be one time to bite the bullet

 

[cshaw33]

Have a lesson with your club pro... I did tonight, worth every penny

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Have a lesson with your club pro... I did tonight, worth every penny

Maybe I will. He doesn't believe I'll ever spend any money on lessons with him.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

My sand iron is a Vokey SM 56-11. That pretty standard?

 

[richart]

My sand iron is a Vokey SM 56-11. That pretty standard?

Should do the job. One thing I have noticed with the pros is that they hit much closer to the ball, and get a lot more spin. I was taught to aim two inches behind the ball, but by aiming closer to the ball you have less risk of hitting too heavy, but an increased risk of thining it.

I was also told to imagine you were trying to balance a wine glass on the face of the sand iron through out the swing. Oh yes open the face and then take your grip and not the other way round. Having watched Westwood play a bunker shot it seems that has all changed now for some players.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Should do the job. One thing I have noticed with the pros is that they hit much closer to the ball, and get a lot more spin. I was taught to aim two inches behind the ball, but by aiming closer to the ball you have less risk of hitting too heavy, but an increased risk of thining it.

I was also told to imagine you were trying to balance a wine glass on the face of the sand iron through out the swing. Oh yes open the face and then take your grip and not the other way round. Having watched Westwood play a bunker shot it seems that has all changed now for some players.

I watched the Luke Donald video posted ghere and that has certaijnly got me thinnking about 2 or 3 things I need to check and a couple I need to change. Actually feeling quite keen to get onto the course, or into a practice bunker, and have a go.

 

[richart]

I watched the Luke Donald video posted ghere and that has certaijnly got me thinnking about 2 or 3 things I need to check and a couple I need to change. Actually feeling quite keen to get onto the course, or into a practice bunker, and have a go.

I assume the practice bunker is still right at the end of the practice ground ? Only ever found it once when I was a member !!!

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I assume the practice bunker is still right at the end of the practice ground ? Only ever found it once when I was a member !!!

There are two up at the practice pitching and chipping area. One with the old sand one with the new. Our main practice ground is too big - allows me to spray balls all over the place and miles wide of any target. I guess this shows how far wrong some of my shots would go if they weren't stiop by trees or rough - or wehen they disappear oput of sight OOB. So I keep away

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

[video=youtube_share;yI-E4ksTuG4]http://youtu.be/yI-E4ksTuG4[/video]

Went to club on Friday evening between downpours and hit about 20 balls out of a practice bunker using LDs advice - seemed to go OK. Yesterday in medal - 2nd hole - in greenside bunker - applied technique -BINGO - perfect bunker shot. Didn't go in another bunker for the rest of the round so don't yet know if it was a fluke or not. But I am optimistic