Whether you are playing 18 after hard rain or grinding it in your local muni, where bunkers feel more like concrete than sand, dealing with strong bunkers is just part of the game, and learning how to navigate them is essential.
With four keys from the Golf teacher to see, Parker McLachlin, you can possess compact, sandy lies and increase your chances of making a high and down for par.
1. Open Clubface, lower your hands
According to McLachlin – also known as a short game chef – the first step to exit these firms, intimidation of lies is to open the club and lower your hands.
“I want to offer more engagement with this heel,” says McLachlin, “the heel will dig under this strong and compact sand.”
2. Stay farther and put your weight forward
Staying further allows you to mention your shaking bow and prevents you from hitting too far from the ball or getting a lot of sand. Putting your weight forward provides your club bottoms in the right place and can even reduce the chances of your club to dance or bypass the sand -filled sand.
3. Position of neutral axis
Holding a neutral shaft position allows you to keep an open club and use your club bounce – and in strong sand this can also prevent the main advantage of digging.
4. Follow short through
Shortening your finish promotes a more heel descending hook and helps you control the strike. It allows you to make a dedicated pace, which can be fierce in the hardpan lies.
Now that you have the keys to unlock this nerve stroke, try it. McLachlin says that if you did it properly, you should see the sand on your club’s heel. This is because the use of the heel allows the club to excavate enough sand, without catching the main edge.
“I have no interaction with my toe, but I have tons of interaction with this heel,” McLachlin says.
Do not be afraid to use heel, however. There are more bounce than you might think and is created to slip – not glued – through compact sand.
“This is what all the tournament players know. You have to dig that heel. This is absolutely important for you to get out of a strong bunker with height and softness,” McLachlin says.
With a little practice, you need to be able to improve your control and contact from these lies – and start displaying the ball and lowering them close.
Shortgamechef.comCreated by the PGA Tour Parker McLachlin winner, provides players with a comprehensive source to improve their short game. Through personalized tips, training and expert knowledge, Parker helps players of all levels gain more confidence and a deeper understanding of their short game to reduce their results. You can Browse membership options here.
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