Stop Hitting Thin Bunker Shots
By Paul Wilson at February 17, 2013 | 9:52 pm | Print
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By Paul Wilson at February 17, 2013 | 9:52 pm | Print
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TIMADAMS, 3 months ago
Paul how about the other reason for hitting it thin.When theres only a inch of sand in the bunker with hardpan underneath(like concrete)even though youv’e done your technic correctly the wedge bounces off the hardpan and hits the ball.I bet theres lots of bunkers out there that are like this.
Paul Wilson, 3 months ago
Tim,
That would be correct. I couldn’t list everything.
If you get into this situation square the face, dig in the best you can, pick it up and hit down or you simply grip down the amount you dug your feet in an pick it off the surface.
TIMADAMS, 3 months ago
Paul how about a video on Bunkers that are not in good shape ie:not a lot of sand,thick sand ,wet sand,hardpan underneath sand etc.I bet your students would appreciate this,I know I would
Paul Wilson, 3 months ago
Tim,
This is on the list. I will get to it shortly.
RaymondCHASTEL, 3 months ago
Dear Paul ,
Your bunker lesson is unorthordox vs usual teaching :
– you don’t advocate putting most of the weight on the front leg .
– you don’t advise to open the stance.
– there’ s a lot of body action in the swing.
Should’ nt this shot resemble more to a pitch shot where you clip the ball much closer to where it lies ?
Paul Wilson, 3 months ago
Raymond,
Why would I want to teach what is orthodox? I can get people to hit perfect bunker shots in seconds doing it this way. Think about it. If you learn a new swing you now have to practice twice as hard. You ever see anyone practicing bunker shots? I don’t. Why not use the swing you are already using? Dig in so you will hit the sand. Hinge going back. Turn coming down. Try it.
I do want you to open your stance and the face. This is in the bunker technique video here:
Body and Club Alignment: http://ignitiongolf.com/bunker-setup
Bunker Technique: http://ignitiongolf.com/bunker-shots
TomSeeto, 3 months ago
Paul, bunkers are my worst nightmare. I am constantly hitting the balls to the top lip of the bunker. I desperately need you help! Thanks
Paul Wilson, 3 months ago
Tom,
You are trying to hit the ball in the bunker. Forget the ball. Keep the arms relaxed. Follow the technique here:
Bunker Technique: http://ignitiongolf.com/bunker-shots
Body and Club Alignment: http://ignitiongolf.com/bunker-setup
dominicmacedonia, 3 months ago
Paul,
If you the ball twice on the same swing coming out of the trap, what is the problem. I can assure you it is not intentional.
Dom
Paul Wilson, 3 months ago
Dom,
You are not generating enough clubhead speed. Without enough clubhead speed the club head will get hung up in the sand. You need more power to cut through it. So turn the hips faster. This will speed up the arms allowing them to cut through the sand.
dominicmacedonia, 3 months ago
Paul,
That should read if you hit the ball twice.
StevenSwineford, 3 months ago
I appreciate Tim Adams post. Even though I play mid scale courses, I am frustrated by the condition of the bunkers. I don’t understand your response to Tim regarding lousy bunkers. My group figures that the reason the golf press refers to “bunkers” instead of “sand traps” is that most courses refuse to buy sand!!
Paul Wilson, 3 months ago
Steven,
What don’t you understand. I am suggesting 2 ways to hit the ball from bunkers without a lot of sand. Our bunkers on certain holes do not have that much sand becasue the wind blows it out of the bunker. In this situation there is sand but not a lot. For these shots I square up the face, aim square, pick it up going back and hit down on it. In doing so the ball pops out every time.
In situations where the base is rock hard and you have very little sand even squaring the face may have the club bounce off the sand. If this is the case you need to pick the ball from the surface. To do this you do not need to take sand. So you dig in your feet. Let’s sand it is 1 inch that you can actually dig in. Now, because you don’t want to take sand you grip down 1 inch. Also, square face, square stance. This means the club will hit the ball first thus allowing you to pick it off the surface.
Give this a try the next time you are in this situation.
RandyGorman, 3 months ago
Virtually all your bunker videos result in questions about hard base bunkers. I know you mention to square the face, lift and hit down, but do you think you could do a video in a bunker with little sand or very hard. Maybe show a clip from a bunker with some sand as you have been and then go to how to change the shot if the bunker is hard base. Seeing is believing. Just a suggestion.
Randy
Paul Wilson, 3 months ago
Randy,
I will be doing this shortly.
RonaldHarnish, 3 months ago
Paul
I have tried your tip with consistent success. How would one
attempt to control distance and elevation? Would this depend
on the speed of turning the belt buckle?
Ron H
Paul Wilson, 3 months ago
Ron,
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.
RonaldHarnish, 1 week ago
Paul,
Good tip about hitting it the 3 inches behind the ball. Is the club
open to the 3 o’clock position?
Ron. H
Paul Wilson, 1 week ago
Ron,
This depends on the shot you are hitting. More open = higher softer landing shot. Less open = longer more rolling shot.