FAIRWAY BUNKER SHOTS

When your tee shot finds itself in a fairway bunker, the first thing you want to do is not become intimidated by the situation because this will cause tension.  Here are some straight-forward adjustments that will ensure making contact with the ball before the sand.

First off, take one more club than normal.  If the shot calls for a 6-iron take a 5-iron.  Secondly, grip down for control purposes.  Next, twist your back foot securely into the sand.  Why, because it will shorten your backswing which will help your balance and ensure clean contact.  This will allow you to strike the ball before the sand.  Remember; don’t be intimidated by this shot.  Have fun and play well.

Tips for Escaping Those Tough Hardpan Shots

A hardpan shot is one with not much sand and a very hard surface underneath. I’ll give you a couple helpful tips to make this shot less intimidating. The tendency with a sand wedge is to bounce the flange of the club off the hardpan into the ball, which normally results in a bladed shot. A pitching wedge will dig enough but won’t bounce off the hardpan. This will allow you to play a more traditional shot. You won’t get as much loft with a pitching wedge, but it won’t bounce as much. To allow for this just setup so the shot can run out a little more.

Try to open the face of your pitching wedge from the sand. How much depends on how far you want to hit it. The shorter the shot , the more open the club face; the longer the shot, the more square the club face.

Once you get comfortable with this shot, try standing a little closer to the ball and making more of a “V” shaped swing. Make sure to hit behind the ball and down and through it.

A pitching wedge is also a good option if the sand is wet.

Pitching Over a Hazard

Hitting a pitch shot over a bunker is one of the most intimidating shots in golf because it causes tension. Most golfers can’t take their eyes off the hazard and that’s generally where the ball ends up. It’s a better idea to focus on your target and to concentrate on hitting a high soft shot. Here are a few tips to help you hit a successful shot:

The first thing is to pick out a spot where you want the ball to land. Take your normal setup with the clubface square, your stance slightly open, and your hands and arms relaxed and soft. The ball position should be about two ball widths ahead of center, so it’s just inside your left heel. Also, instead of having your hands in the normal position at the inside of your thigh, move them back so that they are even with your belt buckle. The most important aspect of this shot is to keep your head quiet to ensure clean contact. Remember, focus on your target and trust the shot. You’ll like the results.

Relaxed Golf Swing

I see a lot of players that have smooth swings on the practice tee and then have a hard time finding the transition to the first tee. Why, because on the practice tee you don’t have to hit your “foul” balls. Here’s a little tip to escape the tension of the first tee.

Let yourself play well. Get your emotions out of the way, and let it happen. On the practice tee, look for a tempo that allows you to swing freely and that you’re comfortable with. Take that swing and that comfortable feeling to the course. Remember, this is a game and we play it for fun.

Have fun and play well!
The Kingsley Club Professional Staff