| Bunkers - How to Play Them | | | | weekend golfers, whether near the green or in a |
| Fairway Bunkers | | | | fairway bunker, STOP their swing on impact. Golf is |
| The fairway bunker shot can be an intimidating shot | | | | simple. You ALWAYS need to follow through. Again, |
| for many inexperienced golfers. For starters, when | | | | swing easy and follow through. |
| playing out of fairway bunkers, it is wise to take one | | | | Greenside Bunkers |
| to two clubs more than normal. Begin by setting up | | | | The most common mistake weekend players make |
| normally, with your feet slightly dug in for stability | | | | in the greenside bunker is allowing their lower bodies |
| and the ball positioned more toward the middle of | | | | to get too active. If you shift your weight or make a |
| your stance. Next, grip down slightly on the club for | | | | turn with your lower body, your swing's shape and |
| greater control. | | | | impact position will never be the same from one |
| Right before you begin your backswing, lift your chin | | | | swing to the next-you'll never know whether you'll |
| off your chest. That raises your center of gravity | | | | leave the ball in the bunker or skull one 35 yards |
| and increases your ability to hit the ball first, which is | | | | across the green. |
| crucial in executing the shot. Swing at 70 percent of | | | | Proper bunker technique requires that you place your |
| your normal speed and there's a good bet you'll hit a | | | | weight forward-and leave it there throughout the |
| clean, solid shot. | | | | swing. Here's a great drill to engrain this feeling. Go to |
| So, Hitting a shot from a fairway bunker poses no | | | | a practice bunker and hit 25 bunker shots with your |
| great problem if the ball has a good lie. (Well, I am | | | | right (for right-handed golfers) heel in the air-only |
| really just trying to build your confidence. I could say, | | | | your right toes should be dug into the sand for |
| you are in a bunker, you're score just went up three | | | | balance. This will position the majority of your weight |
| strokes!!!) | | | | forward to begin your swing. If you try to shift your |
| Long or middle irons as well as 3, 4, and 5 woods can | | | | weight back to your right side as you play the shot, |
| be used with confidence in this situation. | | | | you'll feel the pressure in your right toes and you'll |
| Take a open stance, wider than normal. Work your | | | | have to fight to keep your right heel from lowering |
| feet into the sand for better balance. Play the ball | | | | into the sand. It might feel as though you're actually |
| back 1" to 2" to assure that the club hits the ball | | | | shifting your weight forward in a reverse pivot, but |
| before the sand. | | | | you're not-you're just not used to the feel of the |
| Choke down on the shaft. | | | | proper bunker technique. |
| Close your eyes (just kidding) | | | | As you learn to keep your weight forward and quiet |
| From an open stance, aim slightly to the left. | | | | your lower body on these greenside bunker shots, |
| Swing Normal Speed | | | | you'll begin to notice the ball flying the same distance |
| Pray. | | | | and on the same trajectory again and again. Once |
| On long fairway bunker shots, try a 5 wood in | | | | this happens, you'll start to develop some touch and |
| preference to a long iron. Don't try to overpower this | | | | begin to think about not only getting the ball out, but |
| shot. Restrict your body turn and swing easy. | | | | also about getting it close. |
| Now, if it is a BAD lie, then you need to play the | | | | Poor bunker players have a far-too-active lower |
| course. Grab your club you are confident with, | | | | body. If you make a turn or weight shift, your |
| between a 7 and SW. Observe the course. Realize | | | | swing's shape and the club's impact position will |
| that you are not Tiger Woods. Realize the average | | | | change from swing-with inconsistent results. |
| golfer will clunk it out about 75 yards. Aim for a safe | | | | To quiet your lower body bring consistency to your |
| fairway shot to get you back into play. Shoot for the | | | | greenside bunker game, practice hitting sand shots |
| MIDDLE of the fairway, not left or right, 75 yards | | | | with your right heel raised. Your swing's shape and |
| 'down bunker'. | | | | club's impact position will be the same-shot after shot. |
| Most importantly, follow through on your swing. Most | | | | |