Bunkers 101

Greenside Bunkers

 

5 easy steps to get up-and-down from the bunker like a pro

 

Getting the ball out of the sand requires technique that is unlike any other shot in the game. Combine that with the fact that every kind of sand is different, and you have a recipe for a difficult up-and-down.

In this episode of How to Hit Every Shot, instructor Erika Larkin takes us through the basics of blasting it from the bunker. Watch the video above or read below for more. Here are five tips for playing from the sand.

 

1. Club selection

If you don’t select the correct club from the bunker, you’ll have no chance. Typically, you want a sand wedge (56 degrees) or higher. You should also make sure your wedge has the correct bounce so it can glide through the sand underneath the ball.

2. Evaluate the sand

Just like a shot from the rough, you’ll need to evaluate the type of lie your ball has. Is the sand packed and wet? Or is it drier and finer? Depending on the sands condition, your strategy will change.

Wet = Just nipping it off the top

Soft = Able to splash the ball out easier and can be more aggressive

3. Open the clubface

Open the clubface up as much as possible to give you the most amount of loft and exposure to bounce.

Click here for Rory’s Bunker Tips – Note how much he opens the club face

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Adjust setup

• You want a wide stance when in the sand for better balance.
• You should also dig your feet into the sand to make sure your base is set. Play the ball forward in your stance like a driver and then aim a bit to the left of your target to allow for the open clubface.
• The more open you play the blade, the more you need to aim to the left. Keep the weight on your front foot and stay there throughout the swing, you don’t need to transfer weight in a bunker or you will thin the shot.
• You should flare out your front foot so that you can get more hip turn into the swing, which will increase speed and backspin.

5. Steepen your swing

• A shot from the bunker needs a steep angle of attack, and a great way to achieve that is by hinging your wrists aggressively.
• On the downswing, aim for a spot about an inch or two behind the ball in the sand. Try to hit that spot and let the club glide underneath the ball through the sand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are plenty of wedge choices out there, here are my current top 4.

1. Titleist Vokey wedges are the best on the business due to their design, amount of backspin and amount of choices for lofts, grinds and bounces. See your local PGA professional to get fitted properly.

SM9 = £129

SM10 = £169

 

 

 

 

 

2. Callaway Jaws 5 Wedges are a fantastic option as they offer vast amounts of backspin and lots of options for bounces and grinds. £119

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greenside Bunkers

 

5 easy steps to get up-and-down from the bunker like a pro

 

Getting the ball out of the sand requires technique that is unlike any other shot in the game. Combine that with the fact that every kind of sand is different, and you have a recipe for a difficult up-and-down.

In this episode of How to Hit Every Shot, instructor Erika Larkin takes us through the basics of blasting it from the bunker. Watch the video above or read below for more. Here are five tips for playing from the sand.

 

1. Club selection

If you don’t select the correct club from the bunker, you’ll have no chance. Typically, you want a sand wedge (56 degrees) or higher. You should also make sure your wedge has the correct bounce so it can glide through the sand underneath the ball.

2. Evaluate the sand

Just like a shot from the rough, you’ll need to evaluate the type of lie your ball has. Is the sand packed and wet? Or is it drier and finer? Depending on the sands condition, your strategy will change.

Wet = Just nipping it off the top

Soft = Able to splash the ball out easier and can be more aggressive

3. Open the clubface

Open the clubface up as much as possible to give you the most amount of loft and exposure to bounce.

Click here for Rory’s Bunker Tips – Note how much he opens the club face

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Adjust setup

• You want a wide stance when in the sand for better balance.
• You should also dig your feet into the sand to make sure your base is set. Play the ball forward in your stance like a driver and then aim a bit to the left of your target to allow for the open clubface.
• The more open you play the blade, the more you need to aim to the left. Keep the weight on your front foot and stay there throughout the swing, you don’t need to transfer weight in a bunker or you will thin the shot.
• You should flare out your front foot so that you can get more hip turn into the swing, which will increase speed and backspin.

5. Steepen your swing

• A shot from the bunker needs a steep angle of attack, and a great way to achieve that is by hinging your wrists aggressively.
• On the downswing, aim for a spot about an inch or two behind the ball in the sand. Try to hit that spot and let the club glide underneath the ball through the sand.