Fairway Bunkers
Playing a shot from a fairway bunker is
very similar to playing from the fairway.
There are however a few adjustments that
need to be discussed.
When playing from a fairway bunker your
main goal is to strike the ball first. There
are two main concepts in doing this. First,
you can try to sweep or pick the ball off the
sand. To do this play the ball a little forward of center and feel more rotation on the
downswing. Second, you can take a divot after
the ball or hit down on the ball. To do this
play the ball in a normal position, minimize
your weight shift in your backswing and make
sure you shift forward on your downswing.
A few other tips for playing this shot are:
1. Grip down about one inch on the club and
use more club.
2. Slow down your backswing to help keep your
footing.
3. Make sure you use a club with enough loft
to get the ball over the lip of the bunker.
The fairway bunker shot can be an intimidating shot for many inexperienced golfers. For starters, when playing out of fairway bunkers, it is wise to take one to two clubs more than normal. Begin by setting up normally, with your feet slightly dug in for stability and the ball positioned more toward the middle of your stance. Next, grip down slightly on the club for greater control. Right before you begin your backswing, lift your chin off your chest. That raises your center of gravity and increases your ability to hit the ball first, which is crucial in executing the shot. Swing at 70 percent of your normal speed and there's a good bet you will hit a clean, solid shot.
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How to Play a
Buried Bunker Shot with Little Green to Work With |
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Instead of using your sand wedge or lob wedge for this shot, use a less-lofted club, like a pitching wedge or 9-iron. Take a slightly open stance, but since the ball is buried, you'll need to close the face of your club. unlike the typical sand shot where you will lay the blade of your wedge open. Swing down steeply and hit hard behind the ball; this will cause the ball to pop in the air landing softly on the green. |
