Ask a great golfer what one of the hardest shots in golf is, and chances are they’ll tell you it’s that middle bunker shot between 45 and 75 yards.
With mid-bunker shots, if you miss a little, you’ll probably hit the same shot again. I recently came across a titular tip how to treat this stroke. Here is my breakdown and advice.
Why is the aim of this bunker so difficult?
Medium-range bunker shots create two main problems:
- You need distance.
- You still need height.
Most amateurs try to hit these as a longer bunker shot. They will use an open face, a higher loft and a large splash. The problem is that with a bunker shot like this, controlled carry is more beneficial than maximum height.
The traditional “burst” technique introduces a lot of variability. When the ball is slightly back in position, the club is still digging in when it reaches the ball. It’s not the right game.
Simple configuration change
The suggested fix in the video is to move the ball almost uncomfortably far forward in your stance. He mentions placing it almost outside your lead leg.
By moving the ball this far forward, the club still drives into the sand, travels under the ball, and then exits the sand as it reaches impact. Instead of the club digging deeper into the sand as it hits the ball, it’s actually working back up, and that’s what gives you room for error.
Even if you grab a little too much sand, the ball still bounces out. If you catch it a little cleaner, it goes higher with spin.
The choice of club is more important than you think
If you move the ball forward, you are adding loft dynamically. This means that your 56-degree wedge may have too much loft and you will be short. At the 45 to 65 yard range, 52 degrees or even 48 works.
This shot is one where your goal is simply to make it to the green, avoid the edge of the bunker, and avoid having to back out of the bunker.
Why does this feel so uncomfortable (In the beginning)
When I first started playing with this concept, I could tell it was wrong. Most bunker guidelines don’t have you putting the ball that far forward in your stance and use a club with less loft.
What I noticed is that the forward position of the ball gives more room to make a small mistake. The club has shallow time and start to get out of the sand and it changes everything. This is a shot where you are playing for the best possible loss. You’re not trying to kick it with a foot through the hole. You are trying to get it to the green and continue.
I would try this in your game, but there is one big caveat: you have to practice. This position of the ball is key and there is a point where he goes too far. You’ll need to work it into a practice bunker before taking it to the course.
Once you figure out where that sweet spot is, I think you’ll find it’s a really reliable way to get the ball down the court.
Final thoughts
Mid-range bunker shots are difficult because we try to hit them the same way we hit short bunker shots. I’ve always adjusted the club I hit and tried to make it work. This method feels more reliable and errors are much more controlled.
Try it.
Move the ball forward.
Use less attic than you think.
Swing like you’re hitting it off the grass.
Post The simple setup change that adjusts the Golf’s toughest bunker shot appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
