How to play a downhill bunker shot?

[vkurup]

I have been generally lucky with bunkers.. usually end up on a flat lie or uphill as the ball tries to escape the bunker. However today my ball just trickled into the greenside bunker and stayed in a downhill position. I had enough place to have both feet in the bunker but no clue which way to play it. I hit a SW, but only managed to move the ball further in the bunker into a better lie. Got out from there, but it was another drop shot due to the bunker.

Any idea how to play a downhill bunker shot?

 

[CliveW]

Sometimes it is better to take your punishment and come out sideways or even backwards if need be.

 

[ScienceBoy]

I play these sideways too, unless no lip. Just hit them like a normal downhill shot but hit 3 inches behind the ball?

Its a real judgement call.

 

[Imurg]

Any idea how to play a downhill bunker shot?

Turn around and play an uphill one.......

 

[Spuddy]

Enough of these defeatist attitudes!

You should only go out sideways if you can't get a backswing. If you can get a swing then put your weight forward, ball of the left heel, hands central, open the face and accelerate the swing through to a high finish. Have a Google for Phil Mickelson's bunker video. Just by following his technique I don't think I've left a ball in a bunker this year.

 

[patricks148]

Sometimes it is better to take your punishment and come out sideways or even backwards if need be.

this

 

[Foxholer]

If you don't fall asleep during this vid, there's some good stuff here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRPAtteXpJg

The bunker used is not incredubly challenging like some can be, so the 'take the punishment' of playing sideways or backwards can be true too!

 

[vkurup]

Unfortunately all our greenside bunkers have (atleast) a knee high lip in front. Thanks for the tips, will give it a go next time I am in for a social game. Next week is monthly S/F, so hoping to stay out of the powdery stuff...

 

[patricks148]

Unfortunately all our greenside bunkers have (atleast) a knee high lip in front. Thanks for the tips, will give it a go next time I am in for a social game. Next week is monthly S/F, so hoping to stay out of the powdery stuff...

with such a small lip i would just go for the target, ball forward steep, with an open club face, at my play its at least 4 or 5 feet of revetting and its not always possible to get the ball up in time.

 

[Foxholer]

Unfortunately all our greenside bunkers have (atleast) a knee high lip in front. Thanks for the tips, will give it a go next time I am in for a social game. Next week is monthly S/F, so hoping to stay out of the powdery stuff...

Er.....Do you practice? Even for a few minutes? It's surprising what some of that can do to your confidence - even if the technique isn't perfect!

 

[garyinderry]

Watched a bunker video recently and the guy quoted the great seve as saying. ''Don't just hit behind the ball, hit under it''.

Obviously you have to enter the sand behind the ball but this thought has given me a new lease of life in bunkers. That and two hours practice in them.

 

[Region3]

Try to get your shoulders level with the slope, and accept (and allow for) the ball will come out lower and roll more.

If you don't think you'd get it out 4/5 times, play backwards or sideways.

 

[garyinderry]

When the Sand is packed hard from rain and the lip is just right do not discount the idea of slapping a putter. I've got out of a few that way.