I played today and..(Rolling) -originally created by JohnnyDee

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Got out for 9 holes with my mate in gorgeous 20° sunshine.

First hole, picked straight up where I left off and three-putted for a bogey.

Second hole, perfect tee shot just a fraction short on my approach and found the bunker. From here I proceeded to take six attempts at getting out before eventually smashing it into the bunker on the other side of the green. Just could not figure out what I was doing wrong. There was very little sand in there in fairness, but no matter what I did the club was just bouncing off it and knifing the ball into the lip. It's a 60° with only 9° of bounce I think so I've no idea why that happens to me time and time again. I've watched all the bunker videos, I know what you're supposed to do, and it quite simply does not work for me. Tried opening the face, not opening the face, blast it, splash it, it makes no difference, none of them work.

Rest of it was fine. Hit some cracking long drives of 270 and 260, when it's not even summer yet it's just dry, so that was encouraging.

I was going to say 9° of bounce could be your issue as usually the more bounce the better for bunkers. But if there is very little sand then lower bounce should work.

Whats your technique and how do you play them. Videos aren’t always the way to go as most tips are generic and don’t always suit the individual. Especially if you’re watching loads of different ones trying different things.

I’d also ask how committed are the swings and speed is king in bunkers you need to maintain speed/acceleration or you’ll suffer most shots and if it’s not a smooth acceleration you’ll often knife one as you try to flip at it to speed up.

 

[Orikoru]

I was going to say 9° of bounce could be your issue as usually the more bounce the better for bunkers. But if there is very little sand then lower bounce should work.

Whats your technique and how do you play them. Videos aren’t always the way to go as most tips are generic and don’t always suit the individual. Especially if you’re watching loads of different ones trying different things.

I’d also ask how committed are the swings and speed is king in bunkers you need to maintain speed/acceleration or you’ll suffer most shots and if it’s not a smooth acceleration you’ll often knife one as you try to flip at it to speed up.

I've had a SureOut in the bag before which has all the bounce, but it's annoying when you need one bounce for one type of sand, a different bounce for another type and you don't know which type you're getting until you get there! The SureOut worked ground on fluffy bunkers full of sand, but my course's bunkers are not like that.

Hard to describe I guess but I try and do the standard things everyone says. Feet quite far apart, weight forward, hands low, ball position forward and try and strike the sand about an inch before the ball. If I keep the face open it just bounces into the ball so I tend to keep it square now hence using a 60. Occasionally I hit a really nice one - did this on the weekend just gone and got up and down - but it seems to be just random luck.

My guess is it's almost like a yip at this point but I'd have to video myself in a bunker to find that out. Might try and get a bunker lesson off my club pro now that they've dried out a bit.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

I've had a SureOut in the bag before which has all the bounce, but it's annoying when you need one bounce for one type of sand, a different bounce for another type and you don't know which type you're getting until you get there! The SureOut worked ground on fluffy bunkers full of sand, but my course's bunkers are not like that.

Hard to describe I guess but I try and do the standard things everyone says. Feet quite far apart, weight forward, hands low, ball position forward and try and strike the sand about an inch before the ball. If I keep the face open it just bounces into the ball so I tend to keep it square now hence using a 60. Occasionally I hit a really nice one - did this on the weekend just gone and got up and down - but it seems to be just random luck.

My guess is it's almost like a yip at this point but I'd have to video myself in a bunker to find that out. Might try and get a bunker lesson off my club pro now that they've dried out a bit.

Problem with the Sure Out or Bunkr wedge is they’re so specific you end up sacrificing another more useful club.

If you’re playing out of dom and bare sand feet wide isn’t an advantage imo because you being have the depth below the surface to require that stability and lowering down. Shallow of bare sand I always go slightly narrow with my stance and try to just bury the feet as much as I can, and bring the ball back a little from front of the stance otherwise the club bounces and you get that knifed shot as the clubs bounces off the surface.

To be fair I don’t even open my stance on any bunker shots. I play them the old Seve way square stance, face open before taking my grip, hands really low and accelerate. But sounds like you’re trying maybe to many different things and the bunker lesson is definitely the way to go, get one technique that works for you, stick with it and then avoid all videos and any urges to tinker.

 

[Slime]

Second hole, perfect tee shot just a fraction short on my approach and found the bunker. From here I proceeded to take six attempts at getting out before eventually smashing it into the bunker on the other side of the green. Just could not figure out what I was doing wrong. There was very little sand in there in fairness, but no matter what I did the club was just bouncing off it and knifing the ball into the lip. It's a 60° with only 9° of bounce I think so I've no idea why that happens to me time and time again. I've watched all the bunker videos, I know what you're supposed to do, and it quite simply does not work for me. Tried opening the face, not opening the face, blast it, splash it, it makes no difference, none of them work.

Just a thought, but if there's minimal sand and, I guess, it's pretty hard, could you not just nip it out and play the shot as you would off a tight, bare lie somewhere else on the course?

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Just a thought, but if there's minimal sand and, I guess, it's pretty hard, could you not just nip it out and play the shot as you would off a tight, bare lie somewhere else on the course?

Good shout that, I’ve putted out of bunkers before when they’ve been bare

 

[Orikoru]

Just a thought, but if there's minimal sand and, I guess, it's pretty hard, could you not just nip it out and play the shot as you would off a tight, bare lie somewhere else on the course?

Was short-sided with a front pin so I was trying to play a 'proper' shot. If I was playing a real round I definitely would have done what you said on attempt number 2 I think - anywhere out would do!

 

[Orikoru]

Problem with the Sure Out or Bunkr wedge is they’re so specific you end up sacrificing another more useful club.

If you’re playing out of dom and bare sand feet wide isn’t an advantage imo because you being have the depth below the surface to require that stability and lowering down. Shallow of bare sand I always go slightly narrow with my stance and try to just bury the feet as much as I can, and bring the ball back a little from front of the stance otherwise the club bounces and you get that knifed shot as the clubs bounces off the surface.

To be fair I don’t even open my stance on any bunker shots. I play them the old Seve way square stance, face open before taking my grip, hands really low and accelerate. But sounds like you’re trying maybe to many different things and the bunker lesson is definitely the way to go, get one technique that works for you, stick with it and then avoid all videos and any urges to tinker.

My 60 I only use in bunkers either way, so top point is not really an issue. Would be happy to occupy a spot in the bag for any club that gets me out of bunkers first time! Sadly don't think that club exists.

 

[splashtryagain]

Just back from my happy place on a glorious day and whilst bruised for once not left sulking in a corner - 31 points round silloth (4 x 3 putts was annoying and now I'm fancying a lazrus putter based on the ever decreasing cost they are offering it at via email).

Orikoru - one of my partners swore excessively and picked his ball up after hitting 6 attempts at the 18ths green side coffin

 

[Mel Smooth]

Got out for 9 holes with my mate in gorgeous 20° sunshine.

First hole, picked straight up where I left off and three-putted for a bogey.

Second hole, perfect tee shot just a fraction short on my approach and found the bunker. From here I proceeded to take six attempts at getting out before eventually smashing it into the bunker on the other side of the green. Just could not figure out what I was doing wrong. There was very little sand in there in fairness, but no matter what I did the club was just bouncing off it and knifing the ball into the lip. It's a 60° with only 9° of bounce I think so I've no idea why that happens to me time and time again. I've watched all the bunker videos, I know what you're supposed to do, and it quite simply does not work for me. Tried opening the face, not opening the face, blast it, splash it, it makes no difference, none of them work.

Rest of it was fine. Hit some cracking long drives of 270 and 260, when it's not even summer yet it's just dry, so that was encouraging.

Stand in the bunker, address the ball, and if you have any doubts in confidence on the shot take the 2 shot penalty and drop it out of the bunker.