Spin Out Of Bunker

[KrudlerAce]

Having been reasonably successful with most of the shots in golf for most of life, there is still one shot that I find difficult. I have always been able to get out of bunkers okay, but never been able to get the ball to check or spin and get close to the flag. I played with a guy off 20 last Saturday who managed to spin it really well out of the sand, yet I play of single figures and am unable to do the same.

Does anyone have any good tips for getting spin out of the greenside bunkers. Perhaps any videos you have found that really helped your game.

[BrianW]

Re: Spin Out Of Bunker

I used the conventional method of opening the face, aiming off left and hitting along the feet line with reasonable success for many years, I never seemed to get the ball close enough though.

I have changed my greenside bunker strategy and now find I can get the ball close and stop up nicely. I have taken some inspiration from 'Phil Mickelson's' book on the short game with his hinge and hold method and a video by 'Jeff Ritter ' which I will add at the end of this post.

I now use my 60 Deg lob wedge which has 9 deg of bounce, I play the ball from inside my front foot and line up direct to the pin (as a normal golf shot) I lean onto my front foot so that my shoulders are leaning forwards ( See Jeff's video where he places his left hand onto his left thigh) and keep the shaft vertical (Steep body, shallow hands) I then start the backswing by cocking my wrists first then taking my arms back a suitable distance for the distance required. I bring my arms back to the ball maintaining the wristcock and hit the sand behind the ball (close to the ball for a longer shot and further back for a shorter one, this needs practice to get the feel for it) Hit through to a high finish, this will assist with you accelerating through the shot which is important.

As I am making the shot directly toward the pin then direction is always good and once you get the feel for how much to cock your wrists you will be able to get a great feel for the distance of the shot. The loft of my lob wedge using the hinge and hold technique generates plenty of spin.

I hope this helps you. See the enclosed video.

[video=youtube;Pw_HMRm6rgU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1xrvYXqCB4[/url][url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw_HMRm6rgU&feature=channel[/video]

[GolfJunkieSr]

Re: Spin Out Of Bunker

I have never much worried about getting "enough back spin" on the ball out of a bunker. Just too many variables to deal with, when it comes to hitting a ball out of a bunker. Besides, with my swing, it is what it is, and I get the ball out of the bunker most of the time. What I have done for many years is pay more attention to where I want to land the ball to let it roll out to stop nearer the pin. The ball comes out with back spin, and usually releases about the same. I do make a club change for shorter or longer distances switching back and forth between my SW, and LW. I have even used my PW, and AW a few times when I needed more distance. Same swing, just using a different club for different distances.

[KrudlerAce]

Re: Spin Out Of Bunker

Thanks Brian, I'll give that try.