Bunker shots

[ReefBoy]

Re: Bunker shots

Hi Peter,

Glad to hear that things are progressing.

There are two things to clarify in your last two posts.

When you swing in the bunker the "skipping stone" analogy for the club head allows effective use of the bounce of the club and therefore the face of the club will be in the right position to loft the ball out of the bunker. The strength of the swing and how far behind the ball the club enters the sand will determine the distance the ball will go. So try not to think about hitting down or scooping, think skipping stones.

Ball position for a greenside bunker should be slightly forward of centre, this allows the club head to be moving in an upward direction to help loft the ball out of the bunker and land it softly on the green. If you were hitting out of a low lipped fairway bunker, then it is more important to have a clean contact. So placing the ball slightly back in your stance helps to make this happen.

In regards to feeling awkward with the ball forward, just remember the ball is placed forward but you still want your club head to enter the sand in the middle of your stance like a normal pitch shot.

Hope this helps.

Christopher

[golfshooter]

Re: Bunker shots

Hi Christopher, that sheds light on things and it all makes sense. I am one of those infuriating people who always needs to know 'why',so thanks for that. So it's back to the practice bunker for me.
Regards Peter
PS am I allowed to take practice swings in a bunker before addressing my ball,given that I cannot touch the sand at address?

[BrianW]

Re: Bunker shots

Hi guys, still trying with some success. Just one query though , should I be playing the shot with the ball in front of center or back? Greg has said a little in front, but for most shots in the video they are playing them a little to quite a bit back of center with just the up hill shot forward of center. I have to say the shots forward of center for me feel really awkward. If that is the way it is then I will practice until it feels right but I really need clarification on this one
Regards Peter

Hi Peter,

It depends how far you want the ball to fly. As a standard shot I play the ball centre of stance, for shorter ball flight I play it further forward and further back for a longer one. I also vary the amount I open the face depending on ball position: I open it wide when the ball is on the front foot so that it will come out high, half open from the centre stance and only slightly open from the back foot.

Two other important factors are to take a shallow divot so the leading edge of the club does not dig in and to make a smooth swing that finishes fairly high.

[ReefBoy]

Re: Bunker shots

Hi Christopher, that sheds light on things and it all makes sense. I am one of those infuriating people who always needs to know 'why',so thanks for that. So it's back to the practice bunker for me.
Regards Peter
PS am I allowed to take practice swings in a bunker before addressing my ball,given that I cannot touch the sand at address?

Practice swings are allowed but as you said you are not allowed to touch the sand until you hit the ball. But.... that is only in a game. If you are practicing(even a practice round) then I suggest that you take practice swings making contact with the sand, it will help you to develop the feel for the club bouncing through the sand.

Also don't apologise for asking questions as the more you know and how to use it allows you to be more creative on the course, also the questions are of benefit to all the people who read the forum without realising they need to know this.

Best of luck and let us know how you progress.

Christopher

[golfshooter]

Re: Bunker shots

AH HA! By george I think I have got it! With much practice and sweat I finally pulled off a shot that felt right and co-ordinated, I then repeated it. It all felt so smooth and the ball went where I wanted it. I came back after the bunker was wet and moved the ball back a little in my stance, opened my stance a little,opened the club face more...Bingo! it felt right and was repeatable. A valuable piece of info came from that video and as some had said, play it confidentlly and generate club head speed with the wrists. You could say it was a little info from all and just getting it to feel right has worked a treat. So thanks to all, I am sure it wont be the last time I have trouble with bunkers but now I know how it feels when it is right
Regards Peter

[ReefBoy]

Re: Bunker shots

Great work Peter

When it feels right, it works. Now just remember one thing. Your subconscious mind now knows what to do, so concentrate on replicating the feel in your practice swing before execution and let it do its job. If you concentrate on the process of the technique, ie. the conscious mind, it will all go pear shaped real quick.

Christopher

[golfshooter]

Re: Bunker shots

I know where your comming from there Christopher.Had a game this morning and just repeated the feel, no over thinking and flushed 3 out of the bunker to near the hole! Some days you just gotta love this game
Peter

[ReefBoy]

Re: Bunker shots

Well done Peter, and yes it's loveable when it works and a bugger when it doesn't.

Christopher