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"It's the hardest shot in golf."
Any golfer has heard long bunker shots described this way enough times over the years to think it might be a cliche...until they find themselves confronting a shot like Bryson DeChambeau found himself facing on the 72nd hole of the 2024 U.S. Open. Then they know the truth.
It really is the hardest shot in golf...especially for us mere mortal golfers.
What makes long bunker shots so difficult is that even though they feel similar to short greenside bunkers, the margins for error are extremely fine and there are a few schools of thought as to how best to play them (as you'll see below). Should you use the same wedge you'd normally use? Should you catch the ball first? The answer is unsatisfying: it depends, sometimes on sand conditions and sometimes on other factors surrounding a shot, like the amount of green you have to work with.
Long bunker shots are difficult and a bit confusing. I've unlocked three great tips from the GolfPass video archive that I think will help steer you towards fewer skulls and chunks, even if I can't necessarily promise U.S. Open glory.
Martin Hall: Pick or pinch?
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In this segment from his Build a Better Game: Bunkers series, Martin Hall addresses the key question surrounding long bunker shots.
Jim McLean: Long bunker club change
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Jim McLean is one of the greatest teachers of golf on the planet (check out our recent deep-dive series with him). In this tip, he invites you to reach deeper into your bag for a solution to a long bunker shot.
Aimee Cho: Fundamentals
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The fundamentals are especially important when it comes to long bunker shots. In this tip, renowned instructor Aimee Cho breaks them down for you.
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