Beginners in golf often dedicate significant time honing their skills with woods and irons on the range, a common starting point due to accessibility.
However, this focus often sidelines the crucial aspect of the short game, particularly bunker play, which needs to be addressed. In any typical round, encountering several bunker shots is inevitable.
Mastering how to hit out of the bunker is pivotal for effective scrambling and avoiding higher scores. This article delves into the fundamentals of bunker play, whether navigating a fairway bunker or addressing a greenside challenge, offering essential insights to bolster your short-game proficiency.
How to Hit Out Of The Bunker?
Step 1: Choose the Right Club
When short-sided in a greenside bunker, use a high-lofted wedge, like a 60-degree lob wedge, to keep the ball from rolling out too far. If you have more green, opt for a lower lofted wedge, such as a 56-degree sand wedge or a 52-degree gap wedge, to achieve a more extended ball flight. Remember, the “sand wedge” isn’t your only option for greenside bunkers.
Step 2: Take the Right Setup
Proper setup is crucial for effective bunker shots. Twist your feet into the sand to establish a stable base and feel the sand’s depth. Position the ball off your front foot for most shots. Moving the ball back lowers the trajectory and increases rollout, but generally, keep it forward. Open your stance and the clubface for a higher, softer flight. Distribute about 80% of your weight on your front foot to create a steep descent, causing the splash and backspin needed for a good shot.
Step 3: Execute the Swing
With the proper setup, use an outside-in swing path and a slight wrist hinge at the top. Adjust your backswing length based on the desired distance. This swing path helps the ball come out high and soft with maximum control. Practice until this feels natural and you can judge distances accurately.
Step 4: Follow Through
Follow through and stay down longer on sand shots to avoid chunking. A steep swing and high follow-through ensure the ball splashes out of the sand. Feel free to take a more significant swing since you’re hitting the sand with the ball, reducing its distance.
Advanced Techniques
Medium-Length Bunker Shots (20-25 Yards)
Longer bunker shots can be challenging but manageable with the right approach. Use a pitching wedge or low iron instead of a sand wedge. It is set up like a greenside bunker shot, aiming to hit an inch behind the ball to create a splash. If you need extra distance, square the clubface for a lower trajectory and more extended flight.
Plugged Ball (Fried Egg)
For a plugged lie, focus on digging. With no lip to clear, shut the face on a high-lofted wedge and take a big, steep swing. If there’s a lip, keep the face open but dig deeper to avoid blading. The ball will roll out more than usual, so pick your landing zone accordingly.
Key Takeaways
- Setup: wide stance, weight forward, open clubface.
- Swing: outside-in path, wrist hinge, follow through.
- Adjust club choice and technique based on distance and lie.
Like the pros, you’ll handle bunker shots confidently and precisely by mastering these techniques.
What Is The Best Equipment For Bunker Play?
When selecting equipment for bunker play, a reliable set of wedges is essential. Options such as the PING G425 or G430 wedges provide versatility suitable for various bunker scenarios.
A high-bounce sand wedge proves ideal for standard bunker shots where the ball rests cleanly on the sand. This design prevents the club from digging too deep into the sand, facilitating a smooth shot.
In contrast, opting for a wedge with lower to medium bounce is advisable for plugged lies within bunkers. Lower bounce helps position the club’s leading edge under the ball, which is crucial for effectively extracting it from challenging lies.
Additionally, wedges with lower bounce, such as the lob wedge or gap wedge, excel in wet and compact sand conditions, where higher bounce wedges may need help to maintain consistency. This adjustment ensures you can confidently tackle bunker shots across various situations.
Conclusion
Mastering how to hit out of the bunker, whether from a standard lie or a buried lie, becomes manageable with a solid grasp of the fundamental technique.
Many amateurs and beginners can execute competent bunker shots with minimal practice, as hitting behind the ball often comes naturally. The true skill lies in striking the sand precisely the correct distance behind the ball to achieve desired outcomes.
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