Bunker shots seem to be the bane of the recreational golfer. Getting the ball out is an accomplishment, never mind getting it close to the hole. From longer distances, though, bunker shots don't get harder. They get easier.
In the greenside bunker shot, you want the club to dig into the sand and create a cushion of sand between the ball and the club. With the longer bunker shots, you don't want that. Instead, you do want to hit the ball first. That's the key difference between the two shots.
Say the ball is in a bunker about 40 yards from the pin. Take an 8-iron, square up your stance and the clubface. With the ball in the middle of your stance, and with upright posture and your weight evenly balanced between both feet, hit the shot like it's a greenside chip - just use a much longer stroke. Take your hands back to about hip height, no more, and keep the wrists from breaking throughout the swing.
Say the ball is in a bunker about 40 yards from the pin. Take an 8-iron, square up your stance and the clubface. With the ball in the middle of your stance, and with upright posture and your weight evenly balanced between both feet, hit the shot like it's a greenside chip - just use a much longer stroke. Take your hands back to about hip height, no more, and keep the wrists from breaking throughout the swing.
You will hit the ball by nipping it off the top of the sand, contacting the sand lightly after you've hit the ball. Just take a little bit of sand. Digging the club in is not required here. You absolutely must hit the ball first, or the club will dig into the sand and the ball won't go five feet.
Now maybe you put your drive into a fairway bunker and you have about 150 yards to the green. Don't worry. This is an easy shot, too.
The first thing to do is to take a look at your lie, the shape of the bunker, and the location of your ball. If the ball is sitting down in the sand, or you don't think you can get the ball over the lip of the bunker with a full iron shot, play it safe. Chip the ball out into the fairway and proceed from there.
If the shot is playable, here's what to do. Take one more club than the distance would indicate - a 5-iron rather than a 6-iron, for example. This is because you have to make an easier swing at the ball so the sand under your feet doesn't shift and make you lose your balance.
Take your stance with the ball in the middle, your weight evenly balanced from right to left, and your knees bent just a little more than they normally would be for a full shot. Make your stance a bit wider than usual. These adjustments give you a solid foundation on a loose surface.
When you swing, make as full an upper body turn as you can while minimizing your lower body turn. Your hips won't turn much at all. Make an easy swing. A powerful stroke isn't needed here; do not try for distance. As with the 40-yard bunker shot, nip the ball off the top of the sand at impact. Make sure you hit the ball first and never let the club dig in.
Practice these long bunker shots. They're not hard to learn and once you know how to hit them, you'll find they're no more difficult than hitting off the short grass.
Bob Jones is dedicated to showing recreational golfers the little things, that anyone can install in their swing and game, that make a big difference in how they play. See more at http://www.therecreationalgolfer.com
Now maybe you put your drive into a fairway bunker and you have about 150 yards to the green. Don't worry. This is an easy shot, too.
The first thing to do is to take a look at your lie, the shape of the bunker, and the location of your ball. If the ball is sitting down in the sand, or you don't think you can get the ball over the lip of the bunker with a full iron shot, play it safe. Chip the ball out into the fairway and proceed from there.
If the shot is playable, here's what to do. Take one more club than the distance would indicate - a 5-iron rather than a 6-iron, for example. This is because you have to make an easier swing at the ball so the sand under your feet doesn't shift and make you lose your balance.
Take your stance with the ball in the middle, your weight evenly balanced from right to left, and your knees bent just a little more than they normally would be for a full shot. Make your stance a bit wider than usual. These adjustments give you a solid foundation on a loose surface.
When you swing, make as full an upper body turn as you can while minimizing your lower body turn. Your hips won't turn much at all. Make an easy swing. A powerful stroke isn't needed here; do not try for distance. As with the 40-yard bunker shot, nip the ball off the top of the sand at impact. Make sure you hit the ball first and never let the club dig in.
Practice these long bunker shots. They're not hard to learn and once you know how to hit them, you'll find they're no more difficult than hitting off the short grass.
Bob Jones is dedicated to showing recreational golfers the little things, that anyone can install in their swing and game, that make a big difference in how they play. See more at http://www.therecreationalgolfer.com