Wet compact bunkers

[garyinderry]

Here is a short video showing how I deal with a shot of wet compact bunkers. It used to be a real problem for me, especially in winter round my course.
The technique could be described as a gouge with control. It works just as well out of dry bunkers too. You can vary how much you hit behind the ball and how hard you swing to deal with various lengths of shots.

Hope this helps those who struggle with this kind of shot.

 

[bobmac]

A good explanation and execution and if it works for you, don't fix it.
However, few extra thoughts....
By opening the clubface so much, you're presenting more bounce at impact....not ideal in hard sand where you want to drive the club into the sand. I would suggest squaring the face up and moving the ball further forward in your stance to the yellow circle, especially with your weight being on your front foot.
I presume you've got a 56 at least, that's plenty of loft.
Good effort though

 

[garyinderry]

A good explanation and execution and if it works for you, don't fix it.
However, few extra thoughts....
By opening the clubface so much, you're presenting more bounce at impact....not ideal in hard sand where you want to drive the club into the sand. I would suggest squaring the face up and moving the ball further forward in your stance to the yellow circle, especially with your weight being on your front foot.
I presume you've got a 56 at least, that's plenty of loft.
Good effort though

View attachment 56164

Thanks Bob. I've been working on this for a couple of years now. It certainly works well for me.
The secret for me is the open face but also digging that heel in so much. Then it allows the bounce to do its thing.

This is the best description I've seen online for what I do.

https://www.instagram.com/shortgamechef/reel/DCehahpRDMI/?hl=en

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I use a 60 with 11 degrees of bounce and still manage to get in under the ball. Gouging that heel in under the ball.

 

[bobmac]

With the ball back and the face open, I'd be worried about the shank

 

[garyinderry]

With the ball back and the face open, I'd be worried about the shank

Great video of these guys discussing the open face and digging the heel in.

 

[bobmac]

Great video of these guys discussing the open face and digging the heel in.

Soft sand is fine but I still think opening the face in hard sand is iffy.
But if it works for you, go for it.

 

[3 jabber]

Bounce and hard packed sand sound like a recipe for disaster.

 

[garyinderry]

Bounce and hard packed sand sound like a recipe for disaster.

Just opening up the club face with a lot of bounce is a recipe for disaster....

Unless the club is underneath the ball when the bounce actually engages.

That's where digging with the heel gets the club in under the ball. Even when the bunker is wet.

 

[3 jabber]

Just because 1 guy in a video is skilled enough to pull it off doesn't mean the average club golfer can get the hosel that close to the ball without shanking it. But as Bob says, if it works for you then carry on.

 

[garyinderry]

Just because 1 guy in a video is skilled enough to pull it off doesn't mean the average club golfer can get the hosel that close to the ball without shanking it. But as Bob says, if it works for you then carry on.

The bunker shot should be one of the easier shots in golf as you are essentially hitting it fat. You don't actually need to make contact with the ball.

The hosel doesn't go "near the ball". It gets fired into the sand inches before the ball. It's in under the ball by the time the club gets to the ball.

 

[3 jabber]

The bunker shot should be one of the easier shots in golf as you are essentially hitting it fat. You don't actually need to make contact with the ball.

The hosel doesn't go "near the ball". It gets fired into the sand inches before the ball. It's in under the ball by the time the club gets to the ball.

I know how to play bunker shots. In your video the guy advises to dig the heel into the sand to avoid the club bouncing off the hard packed surface. Doing that will cause shanks. Not advisable at all. But as I said, do it your way.

 

[garyinderry]

I know how to play bunker shots. In your video the guy advises to dig the heel into the sand to avoid the club bouncing off the hard packed surface. Doing that will cause shanks. Not advisable at all. But as I said, do it your way.

What he says is correct. If you dig the heel in under the ball using a steep angle of attack you can play a high soft shot from firm bunkers.
Granted if the sand is like concrete you need to really exaggerate the steepness to make sure u get under the ball but it is achievable.

Like everything it takes some practice but once you have the technique and trust down it's an absolute game changer.

I post these in the hope it clicks for someone else like it did me.

 

[garyinderry]

 

[bobmac]

 

[3 jabber]

This is how just about every other instructor advises how to play from hard compact sand. Close the face, hit closer to the ball

 

[garyinderry]

Those bunker shots that are on the longer side. For sure you wouldn't lay that shot open a lot.

 

[garyinderry]

This is how just about every other instructor advises how to play from hard compact sand. Close the face, hit closer to the ball

He thins the last one on the outro. Haha

 

[3 jabber]

He thins the last one on the outro. Haha

Proves my point. If a pro can't get it right every time using a conventional method then what chance have amateurs got using the high risk method of bounce on hard packed sand.

 

[garyinderry]

Proves my point. If a pro can't get it right every time using a conventional method then what chance have amateurs got using the high risk method of bounce on hard packed sand.

The heel is the first thing that touches the sand. It breaks the sand and gets under the ball. It is only then that the flange, bounce angle whatever you want to call it comes into play. It's kicks the club back out of the sand propelling the ball into the air.

The digging action with the heel is crucial. You are then able to play it with height and control.


It's permanently wet these days so try it and come back to me. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[3 jabber]

The heel is the first thing that touches the sand. It breaks the sand and gets under the ball. It is only then that the flange, bounce angle whatever you want to call it comes into play. It's kicks the club back out of the sand propelling the ball into the air.

The digging action with the heel is crucial. You are then able to play it with height and control.


It's permanently wet these days so try it and come back to me. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

No I'm fine thanks. I played today and was in 3 compacted greenside bunkers. Got it within 8 feet twice and saved par and about 12ft and missed the putt. I'll stick to proven methods thanks