Help with fairway bunker shots

[michaeljames92]

Zeph I wouldn't even get into it mate. He has been explained this before, but he deliberately makes stupid comments to piss off the people around here who actually know what they are talking about. Let's not feed the troll.

Originally Posted by Zeph

You are absolutely wrong, the ball is never pinched, unless you top it. I won't get into this discussion here, as it's already been laid out in this thread: Ball Actually "Pinched" Against Ground or Not

You won't find a single evidence in the internet that suggest the ball gets pinched or trapped.

[Mr. Desmond]

I think there is a difference between feeling like you are trapping or covering a ball, and how the ball acts. Don't think I've ever seen a ball go down into the turf on a replay unless it is severely thinned.

For Mickelson to say "cast" the ball to most of us who already "cast" more than we want -- is probably not good advice for most

____

Besides the other advice of dig in to stabilize and grip down to balance the "dig in." I've always read that one uses less legs in fairway bunker - less weight shift - so I'd say less weight shift, stay over the ball (don't sway, but turn), hover the club slightly more (this hovering will vary - experiment) and stay loose and free on the downswing. Tension is disaster anytime, but especially in a bunker.

[bunkerputt]

Why don't you just go out and practice a few shots?  See if it's different than from the fairway, or if your ball disappears into the sand from being trapped.  You can dig your feet in if you want, whatever makes you feel comfortable.  If you dig them in, you've changed your relation to the ground, so you have to pay attention to where you grip the club just like you should be doing on every single golf shot you'll ever hit in your life.  Your brain won't let you use your legs very much because you likely won't have a solid foundation.  So don't swing out of your shoes.  Just make a normal to slightly easier swing...

[inthecup]

I would only add that your footing is poor clubbing down and taking a nice controlled swing keeping the lower body a little quiet seems to help me.

[Club Rat]

Bumping an old thread for more thoughts on fairway bunker shots.

Anyone have a good practice routine on bunker play in various sand conditions, like firm versus fluffy conditions.

[natureboy]

On 7/28/2011, 3:36:55, Tifosinumerouno said:

In fact, when I dig my feet in, I tend to dig the inside of my right foot in deeper, so my knee is kicked in slightly, to make sure I don't shift my weight backwards, only centered or forwards.

I think that's a good tip. I don't hit mine great all the time, but I think the idea I got from the video below that is similar to yours has helped prevent a lot that would have been awful otherwise.

 

 

Edited November 10, 2015 by natureboy

[vangator]

I believe I am a very good fairway bunker player.  I agree with Mr. Desmond.  Keep the lower body very quiet.  There is less room for error in a bunker.  I take an extra club or two and swing easier.  Clean contact is king.  Firm sand is easier since you won't dig in as much.  Fluffy sand requires a lot more focus is all.  No different technique for me. 

If there is no lip requiring me just to advance the ball, I expect to be on the green.  I have less spin than normal, so it will run more than a normal fairway shot.  I normally play a draw, but tend to hit it straight or a slight fade out of the bunker.  Haven't sat down and analyzed why, but I think I have a slight out to in stroke that is not intentional.  Just happens.

[SavvySwede]

4 hours ago, vangator said:

I believe I am a very good fairway bunker player.  I agree with Mr. Desmond.  Keep the lower body very quiet.  There is less room for error in a bunker.  I take an extra club or two and swing easier.  Clean contact is king.  Firm sand is easier since you won't dig in as much.  Fluffy sand requires a lot more focus is all.  No different technique for me. 

If there is no lip requiring me just to advance the ball, I expect to be on the green.  I have less spin than normal, so it will run more than a normal fairway shot.  I normally play a draw, but tend to hit it straight or a slight fade out of the bunker.  Haven't sat down and analyzed why, but I think I have a slight out to in stroke that is not intentional.  Just happens.

I have noticed this as well. I think it's because when I try to keep the lower body quiet I don't rotate the hips quite as much going back, causing them to open up a bit earlier on the way down and the shoulders open up along with them.

[saevel25]

When I am in a fairway bunker I like to club up and swing more 3/4. Which for me is probably a full swing . Either way, I like to make sure I maintain a steady head and a good centered pivot. If you shift around it's nearly impossible to get a consistent strike out of a bunker that requires more precision than out of the fairway or rough. 

I like 3/4 swing thought, and really drive my right side forward aggressive. 

[vangator]

I like the idea of digging in the lead foot only.  Makes sense.  I may mess around with that a little.