How to get a bunker shot within 3-6 ft. from the hole ?

[Gerald]

Whenever my ball ends up in a bunker ..... no worries I get out of the sandtrap in one shot.

I never had a sand lesson, but figured out reading books, watching instruction on the internet etc.

Basicly I swivel my feet in the ground a bit, I play the ball from inside my left heel, weight forward, swingpath to the left, face to the right of the hole, almost no body movement on the backswing, steep angle of attack, hit the sand about 2 inches behind the ball and swing trough fully ...... sand taking the ball out, mostly high and landing softly.

Only when I hit too far behind the ball I can get it close to the hole ..... otherwise it mostly lands behind the hole......... no problem, but no sand save either.

I have tried the Utley way, wide stance, ball in the middle ...... not for me.

I am using a Bob Vokey 58* as a sandwedge, 8* bounce ....... Maybe a 11* bounce would be better, but we have firm and/or wet sand in our bunkers mostly and I hit some balls instead of sand with the 11* version.

Advise welcome !!!!!!

[Harmonious]

Originally Posted by Gerald

Basicly I swivel my feet in the ground a bit, I play the ball from inside my left heel, weight forward, swingpath to the left, face to the right of the hole, almost no body movement on the backswing, steep angle of attack, hit the sand about 2 inches behind the ball and swing trough fully ...... sand taking the ball out, mostly high and landing softly.

I am using a Bob Vokey 58* as a sandwedge, 8* bounce ....... Maybe a 11* bounce would be better, but we have firm and/or wet sand in our bunkers mostly and I hit some balls instead of sand with the 11* version.

I try to have a shallow angle of attack, so that I do not dig into the sand. Rather, skim through the sand.  That way, whether you hit 3" or 1" behind the ball, the results will be pretty much the same.  You can then practice different swing lengths to produce different carries.

Less bounce is better in wet firm sand.

[Gerald]

Our Club Pro has been on the tour for about 10 years and is involved in the development of our course aswell, bunkers have been redesigned over the last 5 years and the course has been made much tougher than it was 5 years ago.

The course has been measured recently and CR is expected to raise to around 74 !

The bunkers around greens are like the Pot-Hole style you see at Brittish Links courses, that is where the steep angle is coming from, as we want to get out of the deep bunkers ........ but I agree a more shallow angle would give more control .........

I will have to work on a delicate bunker play, getting out only isn't good enough.......