Today, Josh Zander, a PGA Teaching Pro at Stanford University Golf Course and MySmartGolf co-founder, tells you how to survive the bunker. To learn more about Josh, visit www.mysmartgolf.com or www.zandergolf.com.
Students always ask me for consistency when they come for a lesson. Golf is inherently an inconsistent game, as we face different weather, course conditions, altitudes and a myriad of other factors. It would be easier if one swing technique would work for all parts of the game, but unfortunately, hitting effective shots out of a bunker is very different from hitting solid golf shots from the fairway. Understanding the differences will lead you successful bunker play.
Let’s take a look at the fundamental differences. First of all, the ball position is more forward in the bunker. After all, you need to hit the sand a couple of inches behind the ball. Conversely, an iron shot requires compression, which means you need to hit the ground a couple of inches past the ball.
Secondly, the bunker swing is much steeper and narrower than a regular swing, especially if we are trying to hit a high, soft-landing shot. Watch Tiger hit an iron shot and you will see a wider and shallower motion.
Lastly and most importantly, the impact position in the bunker is different than a full swing. You need to have a backward-leaning shaft at impact, which enables you to get more loft and use the bounce. Bunker shots have a scooping motion through impact. Solid iron shots require a forward leaning shaft exposing the leading edge of the clubhead to the ground. Scooping on an iron shot from the fairway does not work!
You can now see how the bunker game is its own game within the game of golf. You need to be a chameleon and adapt to the shot when you get in the bunker. I want to leave you with this last thought. A ball will fly one third of the distance out of the bunker than it would with the same swing from the fairway. If you need to carry the ball 15 yards out of the bunker, use your 45-yard swing. Use this ratio to help you hit the ball the proper distance out of the bunker. After all, distance control is the key to scoring. Have fun on the beach!
