If you find yourself in a street bunker, one of the most important decisions you can make is if you first hit the sand or ball. There are several factors that need to be considered before making your decision – how much distance to keep.
Here you have a step -by -step guide to help you make the right decision every time and become a safer, effective bunker player.
1. Know when to change the technique
Understanding the maximum distance you can hit using a Greenside bunker technique – where you hit the sand in front of the ball – it’s essential. This helps you know exactly when you switch from Greenside to the Fairway bunker technique, which requires first contact with the ball.
Your gap wedge is usually the less weak club club, which allows it to slip through the sand instead of excavation. This is important when you are close to green. For shots closer to the green, your ball position must be forward to encourage the sand strike in front of the ball. Once you know the maximum distance, you can hit with your gap wedge using a full pace and taking sand first, you will know the point at which you need to change the techniques. For example, my full wedge of the bunker is maximized at 45 yards. This means for any stroke longer than 45 yards, I have to switch to a Fairway bunker configuration and hit the ball first.
2. Ball first, then sand
In a straight path bunker, usually, your main goal is to make clean contact with the ball before the club enters the sand. This improves distance and gives you more sustainable results. You can hear tips to “choose the pure ball”, but it can lead to hitting the ball too high on the face and not getting enough start to clean the edge. It is more reliable to Hit the ball first And then let the club take a small amount of sand back. This creates a better check.
3. Club selection
Start by choosing a club with enough attic to safely clean the edge in front of you. Once covered, consider the total distance to your target. Because the configuration changes you make for clean contact can slightly reduce your distance, you may want to club – get a club more than you will usually do.
4. Adjust the configuration
Making the right configuration adjustments helps provide strong contact. Move the ball slightly back to your attitude to help catch it a little earlier in the landing. Raise your foot of the trail a little – you have the toe smaller than the thumb. This limits a lot of side movements on your back and helps keep your weight forward while swinging. This position makes it easier to hit the ball first and to avoid hitting too much sand.
5. Wrap forward
Avoid temptation to raise the ball. Instead, focus on finishing with your weight and balance over your front leg. Your trail heel must of course come out of the ground. Do not fall back or move away from the target. A good habit is to maintain your finish position and make sure your weight is forward and balanced.
