Manly Golf Pro Philip Baird's 'Bunker Play' Golf Clinic
Improve Your Short Game with this Review of the Finer Skills of Bunker Play with Manly Golf Pro Philip Baird.
Let’s review the finer skills of bunker play. Provided you follow some simple steps there is no reason why this should not be the easiest shot in your bag.
Check List:
- When entering the bunker we need to make an educated assessment of how much sand is under the ball as no two bunkers are the same and often the sand is different from bunker to bunker.
- Establish a comfortable stance by digging your feet into the sand which will lower your swing arc.
- Position the ball in the front half of your stance but aim your feet and shoulders to the left of the target (as pictured below).
- Place at least 60% of your weight placed on your front foot to encourage a descending blow which will ensure you don’t hit the ball first.
- Aim the clubface at the hole and swing down your shoulder line keeping the weight forward throuhout.
- The golden rule when in bunkers is to ‘get out’ so make sure your backswing is long enough to carry the ball your desired distance.
Good Lie Versus Bad Lie
If the ball is sitting pretty with the majority of the ball visible you should open the club face or dial it clockwise as pictured below. This allows the ‘sole’ of the club to enter the sand minimising the amount of sand you take, creating a ‘splash’.
If the ball is plugged or sitting down in a nasty lie, simply ‘hood’ the blade or close the club face to engage the leading edge of the club.
This will in turn encourage the club to ‘dig’ and ensure the club does not bounce and hit the ball first.
Don’t be afraid to throw a shovel load of dirt onto the green. As my mentor and coach David Mercer told me as a junior, ‘the tougher the lie – the slower the tempo’ which has probably been the best advice I have learnt to date.
Enjoy great golfing on Sydney's Northern Beaches. See you at Manly Golf Club!
For clinic dates or private tuition, please contact Philip Baird via email: Philip.baird@manlygolf.com.au
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