Bunker Practice

[justinmill14]

I absolutely never get bunker practice because the courses I play at don't have a practice bunker or anything. And I rarely ever hit it in the bunker but when I do you can pretty much say I'm screwed because I never get the practice so I'm not good at it at all. And I can't just go out to a hole and take a bunch of balls and practice hitting out of the bunker. So what do you guys do to sharpen up your bunker skills?

[907golfer12]

I cannot really help, because I was going to say go out to a hole and hit a bunch of shots, but you can't do that so I don't know what to do, maybe try and find a course with a practice bunker and go there.

[Fraser]

My local driving range has a practice bunker. I've been there a dozen times and have never seen it as it is right down one end of the range where I never go. Might take a bucket and have a go. I dread those bunker shots.

[justinmill14]

I cannot really help, because I was going to say go out to a hole and hit a bunch of shots, but you can't do that so I don't know what to do, maybe try and find a course with a practice bunker and go there.

Well there is one course that I probably could, considering there aren't as many people that go there. But I'm just afraid of people getting mad or me getting in trouble or something.

[kc8kir]

If you can't find any sand, practice your flop shots from fluffy lies and get used to the feeling of the clubhead bouncing through the shot and maintaining the loft on the face. A sand shot is nothing more than a flop shot, with the ball a bit more forward .

[Uber$winG]

I used to go to a school playground and practice from the sand. The swing-sets usually have sand to cushion the kiddies fall, and there might even be a sand-box. I recommend going after school has let out.

[JCDot33]

I think the best thing that I my original instructor ever did for me was, after a clinic one day (where he covered how to hit correctly out of the trap) was to call me over (now I was about 8 or so) and he dumped out this big-ole-bag of balls into the practice trap and said, "I'll be back in an hour and a half or so. If I like what I see, I'll buy you lunch."

I was in that trap for 2 hours that day ... and I got LUNCH FOR FREE! Today, I have so much confidence in any greenside bunker that I am going to put it within 3-5 feet of the cup ... it's automatic to me! Best lesson I have ever gotten!

[justinmill14]

I think the best thing that I my original instructor ever did for me was, after a clinic one day (where he covered how to hit correctly out of the trap) was to call me over (now I was about 8 or so) and he dumped out this big-ole-bag of balls into the practice trap and said, "I'll be back in an hour and a half or so. If I like what I see, I'll buy you lunch."

That is a good idea. I just wish A course around here had a practice bunker!!

[JCDot33]

I can't believe that you don't have a course around that dosen't have a practice bunker ... I have 5 courses around me, and they all have a practice bunker ... and I have two practice facilities that have like 6 each ... that's too bad, becasue a lot of strokes can be gained and lost in a "sandy" situation ...

[justinmill14]

You are completely right JCDot33. It makes no since that not a single one of them has one.

[deronsizemore]

Luckily for me I have a course with a practice bunker. I actually don't think greenside bunkers are that tough of shots though and don't really practice them much.

Here's some steps to take for improved bunker play:

1. Open your SW face up and aim it at the flag.
2. Take a shoulder width stance with the ball placed off your left foot (for a right hander)
3. Open your feet and shoulers left of the flag. So now you're open to your target and your clubface is pointed at your target.
4. Swing along your feet line (out to in relative to your target line) and MAKE SURE that you do not decelerate on the downswing. You much finish the swing or else you'll leave it in the bunker.

That's all there is to it. ;) Easy right?

[iacas]

1. Open your SW face up and aim it at the flag.

Or, alternatively, do NONE of those things, in which case you're probably quite close to the method recommended by Stan Utley. A method I recommend, and a method I've used to improve my bunker play this year.

That's not to pick on Deron's post or to say "he's wrong," just to say that there are basically two different styles to bunker play. Deron's might be the more classic, and more widely taught, but a lot of people are really starting to like the Utley method too.

[Smallville]

Luckily for me I have a course with a practice bunker. I actually don't think greenside bunkers are that tough of shots though and don't really practice them much.

Or, alternatively, do NONE of those things, in which case you're probably quite close to the method recommended by Stan Utley. A method I recommend, and a method I've used to improve my bunker play this year.

If there is minimal or no lip on the bunker, I'll putt the ball out if there's no rough between the trap and the green (and it's relatively greenside - - - not a fairway bunker). Especially if it's uphill and there's some distance between me and the hole. Of course, I want the trap to be fairly firm, not fluffy.

[Craig Mac]

Just find a trap on an open hole when you're playing and try to get some practice in. Ben gave me the tip of concentrating on a spot one inch behind the ball and it has helped me an awful lot.

[Pat007]

What I used to do when I didn't have my membership is to play late in the evening (past 7:30 or so), and just drop balls all over the course and practice whatever shots you want. You can have the course to yourself at that time, so why not make the most of it?

What I like to do is drop a ball at 210 out, 200, 180, 150 and in the bunkers.

Hope that helps.

[deronsizemore]

Or, alternatively, do NONE of those things, in which case you're probably quite close to the method recommended by Stan Utley. A method I recommend, and a method I've used to improve my bunker play this year.

Yeah, many different ways to get it done. It's worked beautifully for me.

What exactly is Utley's bunker technique? Same as all his other chipping techniques promoting more pivot on the backswing? I can't find any videos or anything of him actually teaching a bunker shot.

If there is minimal or no lip on the bunker, I'll putt the ball out if there's no rough between the trap and the green (and it's relatively greenside - - - not a fairway bunker). Especially if it's uphill and there's some distance between me and the hole. Of course, I want the trap to be fairly firm, not fluffy.

How does putting it out of the sand work out for you? I can't imagine you have much success with it?

[JohnTwing]

How does putting it out of the sand work out for you? I can't imagine you have much success with it?

I use this a lot, given that the bunkers in NYC are never fluffy, and usually very matted down and wet. A nice lip helps propel the ball in the air and let it be nice and soft.

[deronsizemore]

I use this a lot, given that the bunkers in NYC are never fluffy, and usually very matted down and wet. A nice lip helps propel the ball in the air and let it be nice and soft.

I guess in that case it would work, but for myself doing it, I just can't see having any kind of consistency but to each their own, right?