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