I believe one of the most poorly taught areas of golf instruction is the bunker shot, those of you who know me will know that I read all the golf magazines each month, and too often I read the thoughts of a tour pro telling us all how he does it, or (and sometimes worse!) the thoughts of a well known guru repeating the same teachings that have failed the average golfer up until now. Well I am going to have a stab at changing this, someone has got to stop making this game so difficult!!!!
So firstly, and this may sound obvious, please get yourself a decent sandwedge, stop trying to play the bunkershot with a pitching wedge or your 60 degree lob wedge, you want a sand wedge with about 56 degrees of loft, and a decent amount of bounce(bounce is the angle created on the sole of the club between the leading edge of the sole, now called the digger, and the back edge of the sole now called the skidder!) so now you have the right club for the job, I want to give you my top three myths about bunker shots.
Myth 1- Hit the sand one or two inches behind the ball, it has been proven you can hit the sand anywhere up to 6 inches behind the ball and the ball will still come out, many tour pros actually contact the sand about 4 inches behind the ball, and anway if you were so good that you could hit the sand exactly an inch and a half behind the ball every time, you wouldnt be in the bunker in the first place!
Myth 2- use a V shaped swing and break your wrists abruptly, if you truly want to slow down your progress at golf, think about this daily every 10-15 minutes, and then go and buy yourself a boat, because golf will really not be much fun! you want a shallow swing, taking just a small scratching of sand, rather than trying to remove the entire content of sand with each stroke.
Myth 3-stay still during the stoke.You need some motion in the bunker shot, and the body really needs to keep moving, I like my students to try and finish with their belt buckles facing the target.
So next time you are in the bunker try these few tips below, and please let me know how you get on.
1.open the clubface before taking your grip
2.feet at least shoulder width apart, if not wider, ball positioned just left of center, and the end of the handle pointing at your belt buckle, weight EVEN, and your spine vertical, not leaning away from the target.
3.on the way through, please do two things for me, try to hit the sand as far as your target, and keep your body turning, as already mentioned, finish with your belt buckle facing the target.
4. Practice!
#1 by Cormac on December 30, 2009 - 8:13 pm
Ian, some easily memorised steps here. Surprised you did not mention the textbook fried egg where you have to hit the White! Personally I just close my eyes and hope for the best Cormac
#2 by Simon Pole on January 4, 2010 - 11:31 am
Hi Ian
Just so you know someone does read your blogs!
All good but re the bunker tips I thought the VERTICAL spine a bit confusing! but know what you meant. ie not leaning forwards. Just as long as neither of us see anyone in the net at the range doing a ‘squat’ trying to get their spine pointing at the sky!
(typical Engineer to take everything literally, I know!). Happy New Year anyway and see you when it warms up a bit !
Kind regards
Simon