SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
Exactly...and why our pro runs very popular group sessions on bunker play. A dozen members at £5 each for a 45min session. Just to get some basics sorted.
Bunkers
- Thread starter Vikingman
- Start date
bobmac
Major Champion
Confidence
I sounds as if you're not removing enough sand.
Hit the sand 3-4 inches behind the ball and go in 2-3in deep.
Dont be scared to hit it hard, the harder you hit it, the higher it will go.
And dont be tempted to buy any new fangled SW/LW
Here's an old man hitting (I think around 56 deg) SW Notice how much sand comes out.
I sounds as if you're not removing enough sand.
Hit the sand 3-4 inches behind the ball and go in 2-3in deep.
Dont be scared to hit it hard, the harder you hit it, the higher it will go.
And dont be tempted to buy any new fangled SW/LW
Here's an old man hitting (I think around 56 deg) SW Notice how much sand comes out.
Swango1980
Well-known member
It does seem like the sudden drop in ability is loss in confidence. All it takes is a slight change in technique / set-up, hit one or 2 bad shots, and then you start doubting yourself. That then leads into a failure of committing to your shot, accelerating through ball, and all sorts of trouble. It happens to us all, in all aspects of the game. One week I can confidently smash stunning drives miles down the fairway, the next round I am snap hooking it into hedges.
Technically, I can give you no advice, I'm not qualified and I'm no expert from bunkers myself. But, before you get a chance to see a pro, find a bunker on the course and practice if you can. Before you start backswing, visualise a lovely executed bunker shot, flopping out nicely onto the green. I know it sounds stupid, but when I can clear my mind of the horror outcomes and focus on what I want to happen, the chances increase significantly that I'll play a much better shot. If the shot ends up being rubbish, never mind. Just keep thinking positively, and commit yourself every time to playing a good shot.
Easier said than done though, I should follow my own advice more often.
Technically, I can give you no advice, I'm not qualified and I'm no expert from bunkers myself. But, before you get a chance to see a pro, find a bunker on the course and practice if you can. Before you start backswing, visualise a lovely executed bunker shot, flopping out nicely onto the green. I know it sounds stupid, but when I can clear my mind of the horror outcomes and focus on what I want to happen, the chances increase significantly that I'll play a much better shot. If the shot ends up being rubbish, never mind. Just keep thinking positively, and commit yourself every time to playing a good shot.
Easier said than done though, I should follow my own advice more often.
inc0gnito
Assistant Pro
Can’t you play an unplayable lie and take a drop? 
Tashyboy
Please don’t ask to see my tatts 👍
When I had my first lessons ( i have had two ) it was all about open stance, open club face hit behind ball etc etc. It just did not work. I had a third lesson. Stand square to hole, club square, weight on front foot, hit behind the ball and it works. Well it does for me. Am sure there’s loads of ways to get it out. But you have to find one for you that is simple and works.
good luck me man.
good luck me man.
Diamond
Active member
I bought a specialist sand wedge and I can now get out every time with a normal chip shot. I used to own a chipper which was great fun but I now chip using my wedges and irons. I will eventually get to the point where I don’t need my specialist sand wedge but at the moment I enjoy getting it on the green every time from a bunker. I used it twice yesterday and for me it gave me confidence and made me smile. Both are short in supply when playing golf.
Not sure if you have trouble from fairway bunkers but I saw someone use their most lofted hybrid and I now do the same. Again I get good contact and send it 120 yards + down the fairway. Another shot that makes me smile.
Not sure if you have trouble from fairway bunkers but I saw someone use their most lofted hybrid and I now do the same. Again I get good contact and send it 120 yards + down the fairway. Another shot that makes me smile.
Neilds
Assistant Pro
One thing that hasn’t been mentioned and may be a factor is the condition of the bunkers. Our are very poor at the moment with no raking and also groundstaff seem to only prep them once a week. Playing out of compacted or thin sand can make it difficult to get out
Slab
Occasional Tour Caddy
And while you’re mulling over all the advice on getting the ball out (& without being flippant) don’t forget that since you’re “striking the ball pretty much as well as I've ever done” don’t forget to practice not going in the bunker in the first place
(I know sometimes it seems like sand is ball-magnetic)
(I know sometimes it seems like sand is ball-magnetic)
jim8flog
Journeyman Pro
I remember a simple bit of advice /statement said many years ago
"The bunker shot is the easiest shot in golf because it is the only shot where you are not trying to hit the ball"
"The bunker shot is the easiest shot in golf because it is the only shot where you are not trying to hit the ball"
jim8flog
Journeyman Pro
The biggest problem I see with that is most players still go into a bunker armed with a Sand Wedge. Play the shot with something low bounce and and still aim to go under the ball through the hard pan. Personally I switch to a 52 degree low bounce wedge.
Diamond
Active member
I had a lesson and was told to use my 58 degree and totally open the face. Its fine to do that when playing 20-30 shots in a lesson but opening a 58 degree wedge fully and trying to hit an inch before the ball in a bunker with 2 foot of sand in it is bloody hard.
Fabia999
Active member
Our bunkers are awful at the moment. sand is so thin on half of them its like clay. Any advice on these? I'm having to thin the shot to get them out but they're coming out like fire.
For normal bunker shots I would open my face slightly, lower my hands and hit about an inch behind the ball.
For normal bunker shots I would open my face slightly, lower my hands and hit about an inch behind the ball.
bobmac
Major Champion
There's no need to go that close, 3-4 inches behind is fine, just make sure the ball is well forward so you don't go too deep
clubchamp98
Journeyman Pro
For hard packed bunkers I use my GW with 8* bounce .
Play it like a normal shot ball first , as long as you clear the lip it works.
Getting distance correct takes practice.
Most bunker shots I see from high cappers are left in the bunker because they just don’t hit it anywhere near hard enough.
The sand acts like a damper and needs force to eject the ball.
jim8flog
Journeyman Pro
see post #30
Orikoru
Tour Winner
Also this doesn't work if the sand is compacted and hard in the bunkers on your course. The heel just bounces and you knife the ball into the face. Opening the face like that only works in lovely fluffy sand.
eddie_1878
Active member
Bunkers should be treated as GUR until the rakes are allowed back in IMO. It’s like playing off concrete at the moment, rendering previously sound techniques useless.
eddie_1878
Active member
First time I’ve seen this advice, cheers.
CountLippe
Active member
I get the bunker yips annually. Everytime its the same solution which i keep forgetting... weight on left side, be firm with the lead hand.
Vikingman
Head Pro
And while you’re mulling over all the advice on getting the ball out (& without being flippant) don’t forget that since you’re “striking the ball pretty much as well as I've ever done” don’t forget to practice not going in the bunker in the first place
(I know sometimes it seems like sand is ball-magnetic)
Mate, at the moment it seems like if the ball has the slightest chance of making it to a bunker it takes it.
