Best Fairway Bunker Tip I've Ever Received

[Chrismydawg]

I'm a 5 hcp and I pride myself on being a pretty good ball striker. My problem throughtout the years has been with fairway bunkers. I catch them either heavy or thin, neither produce very good results.

Recently during a round I received a tip from a playing partner that he uses. He said choke up 1/2" and focus on the front of the ball. I always focus on the back of the ball on every other shot so this was different for me.

After trying this I found I'm hitting the ball either flush or slightly thin which is okay in a fairway bunker. Just a simple trick and I've completely changed my mentality when in the bunker. Hope this can help those who struggle like i did.

 

 

[Newgs]

I like this thought! I have the same issue in fairway bunkers and always focus on the back of the ball as well. I am sure I will have an opportunity soon to put this into practice!

[stingerfade]

I choke 1/2 down on one extra club, opened slightly and just make what feels like an arms swing so my feet don’t move around during swing. Always been a good part of my game

[dcfas]

In fairway bunkers I also choke down, take one more club, and position ball back in stance just a bit to insure ball-first contact.

Green side I open wedge to the point I could place a wine glass on club face, align to left of target, and try to thump just before ball with the dollar bill image in mind.

[HiTrajLoSpin]

Having trouble with reading comprehension (i.e., see thread title)?

[dcfas]

Wow. 124 posts and making friends already. What are you, 12? Fair enough criticism, though juvenile form.

 

OP, edited to address fairway bunkers.

[HiTrajLoSpin]

Wow, more than 1000 posts and still don't make sure that your comments address the OP subject.

[cardoustie]

I also swing shallower

[BirdieDoc]

Gosh I love people like you. Their always trying to make themselves seen on a large board. Thinking there making a difference. Poster through some knowledge out relating to a topic. Don't need to be a d bag about it.

OP I also choke down and club up. It's almost automatic for good enough contact to get you out and advanced to the green.

PS I purposely messed up my grammar in case you want to correct that as well @HiTrajLoSpin

[Golfbeat]

Never thought of thinking about the front of the ball. Might give that a try. Almost always hit it too thin. When see the pros on TV I always marvel at the fact that they take a small divot in the fairway bunker. If I try to do that it is immediate disaster.

[Ri_Redneck]

I tend to do pretty well out of fairway bunkers. Never have focused on the front of the ball though. Mostly the back like always. I hover the club slightly and make a normal swing at about 80% (one more club of course) while trying to keep the feet quiet. I also practice this shot a good deal so I have confidence that I can pull it off.

BT

[HiTrajLoSpin]

Gosh, I love people like you ... appending 'Doc' to their username to make sure everyone knows that they have an M.D., as if that makes a difference.

[BirdieDoc]

It's actually a nickname but sure. I got an MD ;-)

[Chrismydawg]

I'm baffled especially when pros hit pw or other short irons out of the sand and pure it. I didn't know that feeling until a few weeks ago!! Focus on the front of the ball it made a world of difference for me... hope you can gain something from it too.

[Chrismydawg]

Please let me know the results. I want to see if something this "simple" can work for other people too.

[Hawkeye77]

Feel is less hip turn, more arms.

I seem to hit the ball pretty well from fairway bunkers - maybe something about that feel has me swinging better and I don't realize I'm doing it.

[Newgs]

After trying this out for about a week it helped me to not hit any fat. My miss was more thin this way of course but to not hit any fat was a good result for me. I wonder if it really is thinking about the front of the ball or just "thinking" more in general! Either way good thought if you consistently hit it heavy in this situation. For perspective my sample size was pretty small, like 6 shots...

[Chrismydawg]

Not quite a cure all, but improvement for sure

[cadoipi]

Tried this today and made a major difference for me. I went from trying to catch the ball clean and a hair thin to great contact with a small "divot". Thanks for the tip!

[Chrismydawg]

Yeah no problem man. I have been using it all the time now and i've seen a complete difference in my effectiveness from the bunker. I had a shot at a local course the other day that was 105 to the pin with steep runoffs front and back. I hit a SW perfect and it landed 20 feet left of the pin and stuck. I made the putt for birdie. I cannot tell you the last time I birdied a hole from a fairway bunker. I might have to find the guy who gave me this tip and buy him dinner. Glad it has helped you.

[Jack Pearsall]

He takes one club more and focuses on solid contact with a smoother, controlled swing. Tends to keep his lower body a bit quiet.

It’s all about solid contact.