Bunker shot on up-slope

Socrates · October 7, 2018

I hear it all the time on TV that "he's on the up-slope so it's an easier shot." What exactly makes it an easier shot compared to a flat lie in the bunker? Can't see that the ball goes higher since if they wanted that, they would just open the face more.

Is it that they can be more precise about how far behind the ball they can hit and how much sand they have to displace with the ball?

Smitty1304 · October 7, 2018

Easier to hit behind the ball and not have to open face as much

Socrates · October 7, 2018

Easier to hit behind the ball and not have to open face as much

I just don't see it being any advantage for a Tour Player. I just think it is way too over emphasized. I get it that a down slope lie is much harder, but I also think that too much up-slope is just as difficult.

Shilgy · October 7, 2018

It's a lot easier to have the ball land softly and not roll out from the upslope. No amount of "just open the face more" makes it as easy a shot.

Socrates · October 7, 2018

It's a lot easier to have the ball land softly and not roll out from the upslope. No amount of "just open the face more" makes it as easy a shot.

Okay, but is it just the extra elevation or is it because you can be more precise with the amount of sand taken before the ball?

SNIPERBBB · October 7, 2018

Don't have to come into the sand/ ball quite as steep either.

BrianMcG · October 7, 2018

Go to a golf course and try it yourself. It's much, much easier to hit a bunker shot on an upslope, especially if you short sided yourself.

Now if your on the upslope and have a ton of green to cover its hard to get it there because of the upslope.

Shilgy · October 7, 2018

I do believe this thread is one of those where things are over thought.

andrue · October 8, 2018

Funnily enough I had one of those yesterday. I mis-hit my 3h and hit a low burner that ended up on the far face of a fairway bunker. I was about 110 yards from the green, ball almost half buried. Luckily despite rain yesterday the sand was still a bit fluffy (sheltered by the lip perhaps).

Anyway I decided to try and recover from my poor 3h by hitting straight to the green. Positioned myself so that the ball was almost off my lead foot then swung like I meant it with an approach wedge. Decent launch and although I didn't quite get on the green I did make it to the fringe.

Have to say I was quite surprised and impressed that the ball came out that well.

Bye · October 8, 2018

It really depends on the shot faced. A shorter shot, yes it is easier as the ball comes out nice and soft or you can just bury the club head in the sand to let it release a bit more. The height and spin is pretty much guaranteed, so a player can just concentrate on line and distance.

I think it makes it harder having the ball on an upslope for a mid range shot and most definitely on a longer shot.