Bunker problems

[ThePuttKing]

My bunker shots tend to be very low. They also travel about 10 /20 yards. I can't do a short bunker shot. I'm getting up and down 1 in 20 times at the moment which is very poor.

As anybody got any tips to improve my bunker play ?

Should I do a full swing ?

And what about tempo ?

And ball position ?

Thanks

[GregJWillis]

Re: Bunker problems

Full swings are not essetial, but remember that the harder you swing the further it will fly AND have more check.

Tempo is not that different then a normal flop shot, so don;t think too much about it (i.e. don;t "change" your tempo just because you are in a trap).

Ball position is forward (near the front foot).

But my bet as to why you are going low and long:
2 things:

* Alignment - Must be "open" to the target. Feet, hips, shoulders and swing path all are open. Club face however MUST be pointing at your intended line. So this creates a "slicer" look in your eyes. How much you are open will generate the hight, carry and landing affect the ball takes. Play with the angles. 45% is about as open as you want. That will get you very high and short. Square or 0% is what I bet you are right now. So open up to about 15% to start and see what happens.

* Where you strike the sand - this affects overall spin (and carry as well). You want to hit the sand about 1 ball's width behind the ball. The more you open the stance the closer you have to hit to the ball. This is becase the more open you are, the steeper the attack, and the more energy is lost to the sand, and that is bad, not getting enough on the ball and it stayting in.

So adjust, practice and play with these 2 elements.

[gord962]

Re: Bunker problems

The length of your backswing depends on how far you need the ball to travel.

The important thing to remember in the bunker is to accelerate through your shot.

The bunker shot is the only shot where you are not trying to strike the ball. You want to hit the ground behind the ball, letting the sand lift the ball out. If you do not accelerate through the sand, the sand will absorb the energy from the clubhead and the shot will go nowhere. The acceleration of the clubhead must also occur because the clubhead will decelerate itself when you make contact with the sand by the laws of resistance, so just to keep the original speed of the clubhead in the sand, you must accelerate. Come in steep on the ball and finish high on your follow through. This promotes more of a "V" type swing, which will also help increase the height of your shots.

Finally, as with all finesse shots, practice, practice, practice!!! The only way to get better is to work on your weaknesses, so get out to your local practice facility and spend about 1/2 per session in the sand.

[ThePuttKing]

Re: Bunker problems

Thanks Gord and Greg !

Stupid thing is I can play the lob shot really well.

I don't know if it's the standard of the bunkers. Some only have a inch or so of sand before you hit rock hard mud.

[GregJWillis]

Re: Bunker problems

Those you have to pick the ball clean and swig easy. No way to blast out of the stuff...

[ThePuttKing]

Re: Bunker problems

I've sorted out my bunker problems !

My shoulders, feet and clubface were way too 'open'. I did what Greg suggested. I squared myself up and then opened my stance and shoulders a little bit. I must stress it was a little as well. I swung back as any normal shot, made sure I caught the sand first and bingo ! - Normal bunker shots. I practised a bit doing these great shots. I then placed 3 balls in the hardest bunker on the course and put all to 3 feet from the flag !

Many Thanks !

(I've just got to sort my putting out now !)

[GregJWillis]

Re: Bunker problems

Good...so it was too much...wouldn't have expected that..comming out too low.