Hitting greenside bunker shots like you're not in the bunker?

[Slice of Life]

Originally Posted by saevel25

I stand square to my target, and place the ball forward in my stance, i try to hit the shot with no shaft lean at all at impact. This brings in the bounce and the ball comes out nice for me.

One of my problems might be playing it too far back. I open up to club face to utilize the bounce, but maybe I'm coming in too steep with it not being forward enough.

[geauxforbroke]

Originally Posted by Slice of Life

Quote:

Originally Posted by saevel25

I stand square to my target, and place the ball forward in my stance, i try to hit the shot with no shaft lean at all at impact. This brings in the bounce and the ball comes out nice for me.

One of my problems might be playing it too far back. I open up to club face to utilize the bounce, but maybe I'm coming in too steep with it not being forward enough.

Don't get confused, you can still come in steep without negating the bounce. I set up left of the target, but not as far as some might. I play the ball close to middle of my stance and try to feel like I'm picking the club up quickly, but outside of my hands on the way back, then dropping the club behind the ball. The result is a steep angle of attack with little to no shaft lean, resulting in maximized bounce.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by Slice of Life

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEfree

Agree with Fourputt- I don't consider any of the players I have seen to try to pick it clean all the time as very good bunker players...it may work at times, but if they hit it just a bit fat, it stays in the bunker.  Of course, under certain conditions, it is probably handy to have this shot in your repertoire.

Oh, don't get me wrong...I agree with that as well. And would much rather built a real sand technique...just curious as to whether or not people had done this when they were having trouble with normal sand shots,

If you are leaving a normal blast in the bunker it's not the amount of sand you take.  The odds are high that you are decelerating, or not making a full follow through.  If you don't follow through, the odds are very good that you will never be successful.  It doesn't require a full swing, only that you make a conscious effort to finish the swing completely.  Begin with that thought, then work from there.

Originally Posted by Slice of Life

Quote:

Originally Posted by saevel25

I stand square to my target, and place the ball forward in my stance, i try to hit the shot with no shaft lean at all at impact. This brings in the bounce and the ball comes out nice for me.

One of my problems might be playing it too far back. I open up to club face to utilize the bounce, but maybe I'm coming in too steep with it not being forward enough.

Like I suggested in my first post, check our Gary player on YouTube.  His technique is easy to copy and has led me to some good success.  He plays the ball forward and does a forward press with his knees, and it really works.  He almost lifts the ball out of the bunker.

[dsc123]

I do what SOL mentioned--pick it clean with a pitching stroke.  But the bunkers I play in are usually hard dirt.  If I play in fluffy stuff I try to use the traditional method.

[Slice of Life]

Originally Posted by Fourputt

Like I suggested in my first post, check our Gary player on YouTube.  His technique is easy to copy and has led me to some good success.  He plays the ball forward and does a forward press with his knees, and it really works.  He almost lifts the ball out of the bunker.

I'm gonna do that. Thanks for the advice!

[boogielicious]

If you don't have sand to practice with, then use a fluffy lie in rough.  I use the pitch shot to practice my sand technique.  I just remember that when in a bunker to play the ball off my left heel, widen my stance, squat a bit with both legs and "strike the match" as Player suggests.  Stan Utley has basically the same suggestions.