Bunkers

[Region3]

I'm ok getting out of bunkers, but I was just wondering...

Is it best to control the distance by changing the length of swing, or by changing the amount of sand taken?

Also, how on earth do you get backspin out of them? If the ball is being lifted out on a 'slice' of sand, how can the club impart any spin on the ball?

Thanks.

 

[brendy]

Its all judgement I guess, sometimes you need to hit it harder with more sand to go a shorter distance, every scenario is different.
You get so much spin because you are hitting the ball a lot harder than normal for the given distance and sand is pretty abrasive stuff so the thin layer between club and ball grips the ball and imparts spin on it.

 

[bobmac]

There are different ways of controlling distance.
The length of the swing
The speed of the swing
How close to the ball you hit the sand.
How deep you go
How open the club face is (or closed)
Ball position
Type of sand
Wet or dry sand
etc
Have fun
FWIW. I try and get the club to enter the sand at the same point for most standard bunker shots and change the speed according to the length of the shot.
K.I.S.S.
And the less sand between the clubface and the ball, the more spin.

 

[pokerjoke]

There are different ways of controlling distance.
The length of the swing
The speed of the swing
How close to the ball you hit the sand.
How deep you go
How open the club face is (or closed)
Ball position
Type of sand
Wet or dry sand
etc
Have fun
FWIW. I try and get the club to enter the sand at the same point for most standard bunker shots and change the speed according to the length of the shot.
K.I.S.S.
And the less sand between the clubface and the ball, the more spin.

I thought you said keep is simple stupid,thats a lot to take in.

 

[bobmac]

Sorry, I thought it was clear.
There are lots of ways to alter the distance but I try and keep it simple as the quote shows.

FWIW. I try and get the club to enter the sand at the same point for most standard bunker shots and change the speed according to the length of the shot.
K.I.S.S.

 

[Whereditgo]

Bunkers, or more accurately greenside bunkers, are the absolute bane of my life at the moment. Doesn't help that the bunkers are so inconsistent at our place, most have only the thinnest layer of sand over hard packed mud. try a conventional bunker shot out of here and you blade the damn thing out of the county!

Disappointingly a few of the traps at Forest Pines were the same, maybe sand is in short supply round here? lol

So what is the best way to escape this scenario? I have resorted to chopping down into the back of the ball, which makes it 'pop' up out, no great distance, but at least it's out and still in sight!

 

[JustOne]

Doesn't help that the bunkers are so inconsistent at our place, most have only the thinnest layer of sand over hard packed mud. try a conventional bunker shot out of here and you blade the damn thing out of the county!

Unfortunately I know that feeling...

 

[Whereditgo]

Doesn't help that the bunkers are so inconsistent at our place, most have only the thinnest layer of sand over hard packed mud. try a conventional bunker shot out of here and you blade the damn thing out of the county!

Unfortunately I know that feeling...

Well if you can't figure it out James, I reckon I'm doomed!

 

[bobmac]

So what is the best way to escape this scenario?

I would suggest you place the ball in line with your left heal/toe. Aim left and open the face...and then the tricky bit....
try and get the club to enter the sand/mud 3-5 ins behind the ball with a steep angle of attack and hit it HARD. Commit to it fully and make sure your swing doesnt stop at the ball...hit down and through the mud and swing through to a full finish.
It has to be a hard swing to get the clubhead through the hard mud.
Be careful not to hit the sand too close to the ball

 

[CrapHacker]

There are different ways of controlling distance.
The length ...
The speed ...
How close to your balls you ...
How deep you go
K.I.S.S.

I thought you said keep is simple stupid,thats a lot to take in.

No, he just wants to snog you

 

[EastPreston]

So what is the best way to escape this scenario?

I would suggest you place the ball in line with your left heal/toe. Aim left and open the face...and then the tricky bit....
try and get the club to enter the sand/mud 3-5 ins behind the ball with a steep angle of attack and hit it HARD. Commit to it fully and make sure your swing doesnt stop at the ball...hit down and through the mud and swing through to a full finish.
It has to be a hard swing to get the clubhead through the hard mud.
Be careful not to hit the sand too close to the ball

What about when you top the ball and it shoots out and hits your dad on the green who is lining up his putt and didn't see the ball coming?

 

[JustOne]

What about when you top the ball and it shoots out and hits your dad on the green who is lining up his putt and didn't see the ball coming?

Two options...

a) Lie down in the bunker, start covering yourself in sand and hope he doesn't find you

b) Fake injury so he worries about you and not him. Cry if possible!

 

[EastPreston]

Serves him right for trying to teach me the lob shot earlier in the game. I lost 3 three balls because of him!

That's Karma for you.

 

[bobmac]

What about when you top the ball and it shoots out and hits your dad on the green who is lining up his putt and didn't see the ball coming?

No problem
Rule 35/2b
There is no penalty for your ball hitting a member of your family if he is not paying attention or standing in a stupid place like on the green.
If unconscious he should be rolled over and the ball placed on the green, directly below the point of impact, not nearer the hole with no penalty.
HTH

 

[EastPreston]

I think the biggest issue with it, was that he told me how to play the shot - therefore couldn't bollock me because of the result.

 

[viscount17]

What about when you top the ball and it shoots out and hits your dad on the green who is lining up his putt and didn't see the ball coming?

what was he doing on your line of play. Poor etiquette imo. I should report him to the committee!

 

[viscount17]

Disappointingly a few of the traps at Forest Pines were the same, maybe sand is in short supply round here? lol

and you hadn't wondered where all the sand came from during the winter? Councils have no respect!
and I'd keep an eye on Homebase in future