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How to hit Sand/Bunker Shots


mvmac
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  • 2 weeks later...

Any advice appreciated.

Last Tuesday, went and shot a 98, constantly leaving it in the green side bunkers, or putting it over the green.

Went out Friday, same course, only hit one bunker and shot an 80. I hit the green side bunker on the second hole and made a 7 - again, three shots to get it on the green ( nowhere near the hole )

I need serious help on technique. Currently, I place the ball of front foot, open my stance - have club pointing at target, and swing.

How should I hinge? Should I at all? etc etc

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:nike:VR Pro Combo CB 4 - PW Stiff 2° Flat
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@Kieran123 I moved your post to this thread, check out the first post.

Mike McLoughlin

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@Kieran123 I moved your post to this thread, check out the first post.


Thanks bud

:tmade: SLDR X-Stiff 12.5°
:nike:VRS Covert 3 Wood Stiff
:nike:VRS Covert 3 Hybrid Stiff
:nike:VR Pro Combo CB 4 - PW Stiff 2° Flat
:cleveland:588RTX CB 50.10 GW
:cleveland:588RTX CB 54.10 SW
:nike:VR V-Rev 60.8 LW
:nike:Method 002 Putter

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Up until now, I was a lurker on this thread. I'm still amazed this actually works.

I am opening the clubface up to 15 degrees (either the 60 or 52 degree wedge), this seems to be pretty bulletproof. I have gotten more than 8 out of 10 bunker outs in one shot, one of them resulting in a sand save.

The main thing that changed from my previous bunker play is the amount of effort. Previously, it was a very strong stroke, which if the sand was a little too firm would end up having my ball fly the green. At this point, my swing is a natural one. No more flying the greens for me!

:ping:  :tmade:  :callaway:   :gamegolf:  :titleist:

TM White Smoke Big Fontana; Pro-V1
TM Rac 60 TT WS, MD2 56
Ping i20 irons U-4, CFS300
Callaway XR16 9 degree Fujikura Speeder 565 S
Callaway XR16 3W 15 degree Fujikura Speeder 565 S, X2Hot Pro 20 degrees S

"I'm hitting the woods just great, but I'm having a terrible time getting out of them." ~Harry Toscano

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Awesome! Wish I could say the same. I can hit sweet little pitches from thin grass, thick grass, see the ball spin like crazy or just pop up nicely and land softly on the green. Then I'm in a bunker and I either smack the ball first with the leading edge and watch it worm burn to a different zip code, or I hit 6" behind the ball and watch it trickle back down to my feet. Frustrating.

:ping: G25 Driver Stiff :ping: G20 3W, 5W :ping: S55 4-W (aerotech steel fiber 110g shafts) :ping: Tour Wedges 50*, 54*, 58* :nike: Method Putter Floating clubs: :edel: 54* trapper wedge

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Awesome! Wish I could say the same. I can hit sweet little pitches from thin grass, thick grass, see the ball spin like crazy or just pop up nicely and land softly on the green.

Then I'm in a bunker and I either smack the ball first with the leading edge and watch it worm burn to a different zip code, or I hit 6" behind the ball and watch it trickle back down to my feet. Frustrating.

If you follow the instructions by Mike on page 1 of this thread I promise you will have success. I was horrendous at bunker shots until I learned this technique.  Now not only do I expect to get out of the bunker I expect to have a legit shot at getting up and down.

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Awesome! Wish I could say the same. I can hit sweet little pitches from thin grass, thick grass, see the ball spin like crazy or just pop up nicely and land softly on the green.

Then I'm in a bunker and I either smack the ball first with the leading edge and watch it worm burn to a different zip code, or I hit 6" behind the ball and watch it trickle back down to my feet. Frustrating.

This is why I am surprised that it works. Give it a try.

If you follow the instructions by Mike on page 1 of this thread I promise you will have success. I was horrendous at bunker shots until I learned this technique.  Now not only do I expect to get out of the bunker I expect to have a legit shot at getting up and down.

Exactly, just follow the instructions.

I'm still amazed. Bunkers used to be work, now I prefer being in them over deep rough or OB near the green.

:ping:  :tmade:  :callaway:   :gamegolf:  :titleist:

TM White Smoke Big Fontana; Pro-V1
TM Rac 60 TT WS, MD2 56
Ping i20 irons U-4, CFS300
Callaway XR16 9 degree Fujikura Speeder 565 S
Callaway XR16 3W 15 degree Fujikura Speeder 565 S, X2Hot Pro 20 degrees S

"I'm hitting the woods just great, but I'm having a terrible time getting out of them." ~Harry Toscano

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I'm still amazed. Bunkers used to be work, now I prefer being in them over deep rough or OB near the green.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Thanks, Mike

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I've had pretty good luck getting out of bunkers this year using my own ghetto method.  On greenside bunkers I use either a 50 or 58 degree wedge depending how far I am from the pin and then move the ball closer to or away from my back foot depending how much roll I want.  I take a full swing and don't mess with the clubface.  This might be a completely wrong way to do it but so far it's been working out alright.  I plan on coming back to this thread to check out some of the videos though to see if other methods look easier or more effective.

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The main thing that changed from my previous bunker play is the amount of effort. Previously, it was a very strong stroke, which if the sand was a little too firm would end up having my ball fly the green. At this point, my swing is a natural one. No more flying the greens for me!

If you follow the instructions by Mike on page 1 of this thread I promise you will have success. I was horrendous at bunker shots until I learned this technique.  Now not only do I expect to get out of the bunker I expect to have a legit shot at getting up and down.

Thanks guys. Just passing on good information I've learned from some great instructors.

Mike McLoughlin

Check out my friends on Evolvr!
Follow The Sand Trap on Twitter!  and on Facebook
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Thanks guys. Just passing on good information I've learned from some great instructors.

That's funny, I thought you are one of them. :-)

:ping:  :tmade:  :callaway:   :gamegolf:  :titleist:

TM White Smoke Big Fontana; Pro-V1
TM Rac 60 TT WS, MD2 56
Ping i20 irons U-4, CFS300
Callaway XR16 9 degree Fujikura Speeder 565 S
Callaway XR16 3W 15 degree Fujikura Speeder 565 S, X2Hot Pro 20 degrees S

"I'm hitting the woods just great, but I'm having a terrible time getting out of them." ~Harry Toscano

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  • Moderator

That's funny, I thought you are one of them.

Haha thanks.

Mike McLoughlin

Check out my friends on Evolvr!
Follow The Sand Trap on Twitter!  and on Facebook
Golf Terminology -  Analyzr  -  My FacebookTwitter and Instagram 

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This is why I am surprised that it works. Give it a try. Exactly, just follow the instructions. I'm still amazed. Bunkers used to be work, now I prefer being in them over deep rough or OB near the green.

Preferring being in the bunker over the rough I could understand, but can you give an example of when you would prefer being OB over any other place? ;)

:adams: / :tmade: / :edel: / :aimpoint: / :ecco: / :bushnell: / :gamegolf: / 

Eyad

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Preferring being in the bunker over the rough I could understand, but can you give an example of when you would prefer being OB over any other place? ;)

There are situations where shooting for the bunker is the better play. If I miss the geen, the bunker is the better play to a potential OB.

:ping:  :tmade:  :callaway:   :gamegolf:  :titleist:

TM White Smoke Big Fontana; Pro-V1
TM Rac 60 TT WS, MD2 56
Ping i20 irons U-4, CFS300
Callaway XR16 9 degree Fujikura Speeder 565 S
Callaway XR16 3W 15 degree Fujikura Speeder 565 S, X2Hot Pro 20 degrees S

"I'm hitting the woods just great, but I'm having a terrible time getting out of them." ~Harry Toscano

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There are situations where shooting for the bunker is the better play. If I miss the geen, the bunker is the better play to a potential OB.

Maybe you are right... I would personally never shoot for the bunker in any situation, but I guess it is just a matter of preference.

:adams: / :tmade: / :edel: / :aimpoint: / :ecco: / :bushnell: / :gamegolf: / 

Eyad

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Maybe you are right... I would personally never shoot for the bunker in any situation, but I guess it is just a matter of preference.

On the normal courses I play, I never shoot for them. On the "Fazio" type courses, the balls can easily roll off the green into a hazard. I would never have believed this if I hadn't played them myself.

:ping:  :tmade:  :callaway:   :gamegolf:  :titleist:

TM White Smoke Big Fontana; Pro-V1
TM Rac 60 TT WS, MD2 56
Ping i20 irons U-4, CFS300
Callaway XR16 9 degree Fujikura Speeder 565 S
Callaway XR16 3W 15 degree Fujikura Speeder 565 S, X2Hot Pro 20 degrees S

"I'm hitting the woods just great, but I'm having a terrible time getting out of them." ~Harry Toscano

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  • 3 weeks later...
Note: This thread is 2268 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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