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Short and Long Bunker Shots
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Short and Long Bunker Shots

Short and Long Bunker Shots

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Are you making the proper adjustments when hitting a short bunker shot versus a long one? In this tip, Martin Chuck breaks down the key setup and equipment changes he makes for different length bunker shots.

18 Comments

What's the best way to selected the correct club/degree loft to use for chipping

Hello Matteo, chips are shots that roll more than they fly. I like to loft the ball safely onto the green and let it roll the balance of the distance. The stronger the loft, the more roll. Weaker lofts like a SW, might 40:60. A 9 iron might be 20% flight to 80% roll

Andrew-do you have a video showing the best drills using alignment sticks?
Thank you.

How do you play sand trap shots in sand traps that are as hard as concrete??

Ben, I avoid them at all costs. If they are truly concrete, than you'd better play backwards in some cases, or to the widest part of the green, not toward the pin. If you can carve a sandy divot below the surface, brace yourself for the rebound effect and overwhelm it.

So when you're on the fairway 10 yards short of the green do you use more wrist? Trying to get used to my new 60 degree

Hi John, it depends on where the pin is located. If the pin is close to the front edge I might loft it up using a little wrist. If the pins in the middle or back of the green and I play the ball lower w stronger loft and no wrist.

Thanks Martin, do you recommend the same for the 'hard pan' sand traps which in many situations it is like what you are hitting from?

Hi richard, Hard pan is tricky. You have to anticipate how hard the club will bounce off of the surface., Be committed to your spot behind the ball and carve out some of that material so the ball can get lofted up and out

Thanks for the tip, Martin! Do you still recommend the 60 degree in the bunker if (like mine) you have very little bounce on that club? My 54 has quite a bit of bounce and my 60 degree has very little. Does that impact the club choice? Thanks again!

I would use the 54 if the sand was really soft and you were afraid of going to deep. Otherwise, if the sand is damp, wet or hard pack, the 60 would be great.

Awesome, thanks again Martin! Appreciate all of the great instruction!

Please discuss any changes you make with your grip and the position of the shaft at address for bunker shots?

In a bunker shot, since the ball is played forward, the handle will be more mid body tilting backward a little. As for your grip, your normal grip (hopefully it’s good!) should do the job. Some tour players will actually turn the lead hand stronger and weaken the trail hand.

Another great tip!! Was the sand in the bunker a but damp or wet? If so, how much depends on sand being wet or dry when you are playing to a longer pin from greenside bunker? I tend to play better out of wet sand. Thanks for any insight. Your the best!!

It was pretty nice! Bunkers usually get watered w the surrounding grass, so the sand under the dried surface is usually damp. That’s perfect. I despise dry bunkers. Way trickier to judge the strike.

Martin:

Could you present an episode on how best to hit longed shot out of a fairway bunker? I know sometimes you just have to take your medicine and use a lofted club to get out of the bunker. But sometimes you have a flat lie where you can take a shot at the green.

Absolutely! If you scan the archives, I bet you find some good ones.

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