Playing your way out of fairway bunkers
By Don Leone
Fairway bunkers can be a challenge in many ways. You’re usually
a long distance from the green, or the lip of the bunker may be too
high, preventing you from advancing the ball the distance you need.
Also, the lie may not allow you to make solid contact with the
ball.
Your first objective is to get the ball out into play
— even if you’re unable to reach the green.
Playing your way out of fairway bunkers
By Don Leone
Fairway bunkers can be a challenge in many ways. You’re usually a long distance from the green, or the lip of the bunker may be too high, preventing you from advancing the ball the distance you need. Also, the lie may not allow you to make solid contact with the ball.
Your first objective is to get the ball out into play — even if you’re unable to reach the green.
First, inspect the lie and the lip or mound in front of you. This will determine what options you have and which club you need. Make sure you have enough loft to clear the lip of the bunker even though you can’t reach the green.
If the ball were sitting down with sand behind it, your only option would be to hit a normal green-side bunker shot to get it back into play. If you have a good lie, take one more club than normal and choke down about an inch on the shaft. Place the ball slightly back in your stance, and set the heel of your back foot slightly below the surface of the sand to prevent you from slipping.
A common mistake is to over-activate the body during the stroke, so keep the lower body quiet and swing 70 percent of your normal swing.
The key is to swing easy and make solid contact. Recommended clubs are hybrids. Baffler woods are excellent for the longer shots because of the wide sole. Avoid using long irons as they tend to dig due to the sharp leading edge.
Don Leone is the PGA director of instruction at Coyote Creek Golf Club. He writes every other week for The Weekend Pinnacle and can be reached for questions or help at (408) 463-1800, ext. 118, or by e-mail at: dl****@co*****************.com.
