| Better players prefer to be in a greenside bunker than chipping from rough around the green. Why? They use the sand to their advantage. (Cynthia Lum/EclipseSportsWire.com) |
Greenside bunker shots: Using the sand to your advantage
By Les Miller, Contributor
When most golfers see their ball flying toward a greenside bunker they begin to panic. Why? Because the greenside bunker shot is one of the most intimidating shots for most amateur players. On the other side of the coin, better players actually prefer to be in a greenside bunker than chipping from rough around the green. Why? Because they do not fear the bunker shot and they use the sand to their advantage.
All good bunker players do the following:
• They open their stance and open the clubface as they address the ball. This allows them to cut across the ball (swing from outside in) upon impact. This helps slide the club head under the ball which pops the ball out of the sand.
• They concentrate on striking the bottom of the club head approximately two inches behind the ball (they hit the sand behind the ball, not the ball). This allows the sand to lift the ball out and up out of the bunker.
• They release the hands through the impact zone and follow through. To be a good bunker player you need "speed" during the swing to propel the ball out of the bunker. Most times a poor bunker shot is the result of slowing your swing down as you hit the sand. This results in the sand stopping the club head which leads to a chunk, leaving the ball in the bunker.
A practice drill for improved bunker play:
Remember, a sand wedge was designed to slide under the ball, you don't need to try and lift the ball out, the club head will do it for you. A drill that will help is to draw a line in the sand approximately two inches behind the ball and practice taking a sand divot under the ball. Be sure to release your hands through the impact zone and follow through, don't hit the sand and stop, swing the club head through at a good speed.
Do these things and you will never fear a bunker shot again!
September 24, 2009
Les Miller was a longtime Golf Writers of America member who covered golf instruction for several newspapers and golf publications. His many years of experience as a golf professional, director of product development and tour relations for several major golf companies gave him a unique background and ability to help golfers increase their enjoyment of the game.
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Denny wrote on: Jul 19, 2011
Sand shots around the green have room for error that other shots do not have. If you hit between one to four inches behind the ball (without hitting the ball) you will hit a good shot. Hitting closer to the ball with an open stance and wedge will produce a high soft shot that will stop short. Hitting farther from the ball will fly farther but roll more, giving the same total distance as the high, soft shot. Pick your shot depending on green available. But hit firm through the ball.
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Denny wrote on: Jul 19, 2011
My bad. Hitting farther from the ball flies shorter and rolls farther.
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