If you’re intimidated before even stepping into a greenside bunker you need to learn a consistent method for getting the ball onto the green. Many amateurs struggle in the sand because they aim their body too far left, open the clubface too much, swing the club back too far inside and try to help the ball up by scooping at it and not following through.
Here are some tips for more consistency and confidence:
Set up by taking dead aim at the target with your body parallel to that line.
Open the clubface slightly and re-grip so the scoring line points at your front ankle.
Look at a spot of sand 2 inches behind the ball and return the clubface to that spot at the bottom of your swing. If you miss the spot, adjust your feet and ball position so the clubface comfortably and consistently hits that spot.
Since sand acts as a cushion for the clubface, swing about three times faster than normal for your distance. In other words, it it’s a 10-yard bunker shot make a 30-yard swing.
Turn your shoulders back, hinge the club up and make a normal pitch swing to your target. Focus on hitting the sand behind the ball and accelerating to the target so you throw the sand forward (not up) with your body facing the flag. Let the bounce of the sand wedge and the loft do its job. Don’t try to help the ball up; if sand gets on the green, your ball will follow.
For shorter greenside bunker shots, use a lob wedge. For longer shots, your gap wedge or pitching wedge is a better choice.
GETTING UP AND DOWN FROM DOWNHILL LIES
One of the hardest shots in golf is from a greenside bunker with a downhill stance. Here’s how to solve the dilemma:
Widen your stance and open your front foot 45 degrees.
Align your shoulders with the tilt of the slope and keep most of your weight on the front foot.
Open the clubface more than normal to increase the loft.
Make a two-thirds backswing and full finish by following the path of the slope. Don’t try to “lift” the ball, which will come out lower than normal because of the slope but will land on the green, which is all you can ask for with this difficult shot.
Glenn Deck, PGA, is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher and director of instruction at Pelican Hill Golf Club in Newport Coast.
