How To Hit Perfect Bunker Shots In Seconds

By Paul Wilson at February 8, 2013 | 12:01 pm | Print

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Greenside Bunkers Member Tips Greenside Bunker Technique, greenside bunkers, How to Hit Bunker Shots

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6 Comments

PatrickFox, 3 months ago Log in to Reply

Hi Paul

Thanks, I like it when you touch on specialty shots too. You mentioned hinge several times but not shoulder turn or load. Hard to tell in video but is this less turn and more of an arm swing on the backswing? I understand you still want the forward swing initiated with lower body.
- Paul Wilson, 3 months ago Log in to Reply
  
  Patrick,
  
  You are doing basically the same turn (maybe a little less) because you are not quite going to parallel. The reason I am only talking about the hinge in the backswing is because I don’t want you thinking of 5 things as go back. I want the wrists to hinge so you generate the power to cut through the sand. If you hinge as I suggest you should be turning without thinking about it.
  
  So you are hinging. Once hinged you are turning. You are not hitting anything. It will be hit if you turn. Keep it simple.
RonCalabrese, 3 months ago Log in to Reply

Hi Paul. I suspect the sand in Nevada is somewhat dryer and lighter than the more moist stuff we experience in Illinois. What alterations in technique do you recommend for wet or clumpy sand? I tend to skull the ball in these situations, turning a bogey at worst into a nightmare. Does squaring the clubface solve the problem?

Thanks, Ron Calabrese
- Paul Wilson, 3 months ago Log in to Reply
  
  I will do a tip on this in the future. For now:
  
  Square up the face. Aim square. Do not grip down unless you cannot dig your feet in. Feel like you are picking it up more vertical going back. Turn through it as I suggest and feel the club descending. This should pop it out.
PerryCanniff, 3 months ago Log in to Reply

Hi Paul. Love the fact that you’re basically using the same principles as you do for full shots, etc. But I was wondering how do you adjust for different distances out of the bunker? Assuming one is using the same sand wedge everytime, it seems like hinging and swinging the arms to the same position and then turning your hips/belt buckle to the same follow thru position it would produce the same distance every time. Does it become a function of adjusting the club face and stance positions (open vs square)?
Thanks,
Perry
- Paul Wilson, 3 months ago Log in to Reply
  
  Perry,
  
  I will be doing a tip on this in the future. Basically, you can do it 4 ways:
  
  1. Dig your feet in more or less.
  
  2. Vary the degree the face is open.
  
  3. Turn your hips faster or slower.
  
  4. Use a combination of any of the above.