Sunken bunker shots

the quality of sand has a lot to do with the result of your efforts in the bunker.

In Singapore, only Sentosa uses the triangular beads (tournament specified sand) all year round. elsewhere it is use only during tournament. so what Bernard is experiencing at OCC ahead of Handa is the tournament specified sand where the bounce and density is predictable.

different sand calls for different methods to manage results, so its not a one for all solution.

DGman

Eric,

Thanks for the clarification. Will bear that in mind.

Think it is time for me go visit you with a cup of Teh-see liao..

DGman wrote:

the quality of sand has a lot to do with the result of your efforts in the bunker.

In Singapore, only Sentosa uses the triangular beads (tournament specified sand) all year round. elsewhere it is use only during tournament. so what Bernard is experiencing at OCC ahead of Handa is the tournament specified sand where the bounce and density is predictable.

different sand calls for different methods to manage results, so its not a one for all solution.

DGman

Well said. I fully agree.

Takes practice to find out the right amount of hooding and the right angle of entry that fits the sand in question.

Unfortunately in the courses I play, even from bunker to bunker the condition of the sand is not even.

So, my professional technique is "Hor Ee Ke Si!" and just smack the sand as hard as I can with a semi hooded club face. The cheaper the green fee, the more I hood the club because cheap sand is heavy muddy sticky sand.

Yes that's very true. In fact Dgman and I were having a chat about how poor some of the bunkers are in Singapore. There are different ways to play different bunker shots with different lies,slopes, sand.

We could talk about variations, senarios and technique all day.

The main issue with bunkers is that many have no idea how to get the ball out because they have no knowlege. (characteristics of wedge, type of sand, lie, slope, proper technique)

Theory is one thing. Deciphering the right information is another. Picking the right technique and the right shot is an art of it's own. That comes from good instruction, practice, experience and imagination.

I fully agree on the instruction part. Getting good instruction will make a big difference.

I saw a young teenager, no more than 15 years old, a single capper, get out of a deep bunker and place it near the pin 20-25m away, smoothly and effortlessly, and repeatedly. Man, I could tell just by looking there was deep skill involved, in the way the hands remained so soft through the short. I look (and feel) like I am trying to murder a cow when I try a shot like that.

blee2007 wrote:

dmateo wrote:

on a slope i usually just punch it out gently assuming the slope is on the near end of the hole. this way the ball will jump out. if its the other side that is trouble. havent manage to get it on so far i will just lay up.

That is intereesting. I will try. There are a few bunkers in the course where I played and it is quite steep. With a Aisa PGA tournament coming, they have changed the sand and it is very soft. There are a few bunkers that are quite steep and I have seen a number of times, it get sunny side upped on the slope (me had it too) and was just trying to find a way to get out of it).

Funny thing is that after they put in the new soft sand, I have less difficulty getting it out of bunkers. In fact I am surprised how much easier it has become.

Me too Mizzy, except for that *(&(&*(&^&*^ sunny side up ball on the left green side bunker on Dendro hole 1 that day.

Just one word of caution about practicing plugged bunker lies, give ur body some time to rest in between shots and warm up properly first ... just hammering away might lead to injuries ...

Derek wrote:

Just one word of caution about practicing plugged bunker lies, give ur body some time to rest in between shots and warm up properly first ... just hammering away might lead to injuries ...

Derek, I hope I don't have to go to the bunkers all the time...

we all hope that bro .... unfortunately life seldom turns out the way we hope!

One thing i have learnt playing golf for quite a while. Course management. If percentage of shot not likely to reach the green and also bunkers around, lay out. Better to go for one more shot to clean and hopefully closer to pin then getting into bunkers and getting a few shots to get out (unless you are very solid at bunker shots).