13: Bunker Shots
Do not fear a bunker shot with practice they are comparatively easy - more predicable than heavy rough.
Look over the edge of Bunker -study the contours of the green, select the spot where the ball must land, to roll into the hole. Keep this image in your mind.
Set up with open stance, aligned your feet left of the target, wiggle feet till well set down in the sand. (You do this or two reasons first it tells you how soft the sand is, second gives a firm base for your swing.)
Open the clubface; Ball forward in your stance.
Stance open to the target, swing the club along your bodyline so the club head approaches the ball on an out to in swing path. Aim the club face to impact in the sand 2" behind the ball, do not quit on the shot play right through with confidence.
Ball on the sloping edge to the bunker (You need to play with one foot in the sand, and one foot on the grass slope.) Take one extra club, wider stance, lower center of gravity, easy swing.
Bunker shot with ball in the sand close to the edge of the bunker forcing you to stand on the grass. Take extra club, a much wider stance, and body on even playing field; aim a little too the left, easy swing. Do not quit on the shot.
In the fairway bunker
Remember when in the bunker the rules of golf say you must NOT ground your club e.g. Do not touch the sand with your club before you play the shot. Check line to target - pick intermediate spot to play over, ensure you can clear the lip, if not play safe, a normal bunker shot with lofted club (SAND WEDGE) back on to the fairway. This is also the best choice if the ball has landed hard and is half buried in the sand.
If you are sure you can clear the edge of bunker and want to play attacking golf.
Set feet in the sand, ball back in the stance; pick the ball off the sand using one club more than the same distance off the fairway. However ensure you have sufficient loft to clear the lip. Also if you are still a long way from the green you can try playing with a fairway wood, brush the ball off the top of he sand with a sweeping swing. Take the club straight back and straight through maintain balance timing tempo, DO not be temped to swing hard, 1-2 let the club do the work.
