Bunker shots and other short game techniques.

How many of you really know what to do in the bunker? What I mean is know not only how to get out of it successfully in 1 shot, but also confident enough to get the ball to react the way you want it and get close to the hole.

Everyone has their own technique. Be it the all time 'king' of bunkers Gary Player to our present day short game wizard Phil Mickelson.

For those not in the know, I discovered this wondeful link from Callaway's website a few years ago. It has a wonderful array of short clips of everything - From driving and iron play to chipping, bunker play and even some tips on the mental game. They even have some behind-the-scene shots of ads that are featuring the tour players like Phil and Ernie showing how they play the game and also their magic around the greens. Some of the clips are a couple of years old but nonetheless, the information is priceless. (Although its a little bit of a shameless plug for Callaway equipment)

To understand certain parts of the short game, we need 2 specialists to give us a little insight about wedge design.

Phil and Roger on Wedge Design This was shot after his loss at Winged Foot in 2006.

Here are a couple of links of Phil teaching us firstly, how to choose what wedge to hit out of sand and also how to tackle buried lies.
Phil on bunker play

Phil on long bunker shots

Phil on Buried lies

I love Phil. Here is a fun clip on how to hit a ball backwards:

Get tricky with Phil

Also, he's the king of the flop. Notice how he takes a full swing for those short shots:

Phil and his magical flops

For the equipment buffs: Phil on his equipment

There are probably hundreds of other short clips in this website and I hope you guys take the time to view them all. Very beneficial in helping the average golfer get better by understanding your equipment and techniques. I know I spent hours looking through all of them.

Bro Rex,

Thanks for the info. Very useful for me. Have been hitting to bunker these days, sometime, it is just too hard to get out..

I too find this very useful

Tks Rex...!!

if the bunker shot is too hard, just use this technique -

Adress Position/stance

1. staighten your left leg
2. bend your right leg alot more about 90 degrees
3. spine position tilted to almost horizontal

Swing

1. Left hand only to hold club
2. Right hand initiates movement toward the ball
3. open your RH grip/hand

Swing execution MOST important part

1. With a single movement - use your 2 fingers (index and thumb) to pick the ball steeply
2. Find a nice spot outside of the bunker
3. Drop it on that spot

Now you're done


*Disclaimer - only for 36 handicappers and PC holders.

Good tips. V useful.

Errr...not sure if it is helpful, but if anybody wants to have negative demostration on what not to do during bunker, pitching, or any part of short game.......let me know, I chio you for game and you see how I do them.....sighhh....


somebody told me " to know how to correct your swing, you need to know how wrong is your swing "......hahahaha


....Just me ' duval '

haha well note the disclaimer earlier on. I bring some of my beginner friends on the couse sometimes, and everytime they get into the bunkers, they might take more than just a couple of strokes. so to prevent cloggin up a jam behind us i just tell them to pick it up and we'll go practice @ the range.

Marina Bay is the most guilty of such practices! The POT bunkers are so deep that its almost impossible to get it out sometimes!

quinike wrote:

haha well note the disclaimer earlier on. I bring some of my beginner friends on the couse sometimes, and everytime they get into the bunkers, they might take more than just a couple of strokes. so to prevent cloggin up a jam behind us i just tell them to pick it up and we'll go practice @ the range.

Marina Bay is the most guilty of such practices! The POT bunkers are so deep that its almost impossible to get it out sometimes!

Thank you. I'm one of the culprits in making bunkers deeper as I spend more time clawing into the sand than I do getting my ball out.

For one moment, I was thinking what terror methods did Quinike was parting... Then I realised that I been conned!!!! NB!!!

haha just kidding la that one.

quinike wrote:

haha just kidding la that one.

But it's good advice for newbies like myself. No point making a mess of the bunker, slowing the game down and frustrating yourself. Take a penalty and enjoy the round. Work on the bunkerplay when you're back at the clubhouse.

I honestly think its sensible play.....

im no guru for sure. but if u're headed down to the range i'll show you my way of getting out of the bunker! haha i know its @ the range and theres no sand, but there are some guidelines to follow and results to look out for, even at the range!