How to hit Sand/Bunker Shots

[GDM0001]

That video has made me look forward to the next time I hit the sand. Is that weird? Haha

[Kieran123]

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

[mvmac]

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

[Kieran123]

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

Thanks bud

[Lihu]

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!

[Vinsk]

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.

[Jakester23]

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.

[Lihu]

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.

[Jakester23]

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

[Strandly]

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.

[mvmac]

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.

[Lihu]

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

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

[mvmac]

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

Haha thanks.

[Abu3baid]

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? ;)

[Lihu]

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.

[Abu3baid]

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.

[Lihu]

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.

[mvmac]

Harris English this week