Greenside bunker advice

[ProV1x]

Hey guys I need some advice. As of late my bunker play has being going downhill more specifically shots that are from greenside bunkers. Lately I have either been skulling the shot as a result of not letting the bounce of the club contact the sand first, or taking to much sand and not having the ball come out of the bunker at all. I use to be a pretty decent bunker player a couple of years ago. So any advice or tips i could work on to get this part of my game back up to speed would be great! thanks all..

[mddubya]

Open the club face up to the point you could lay a coin on it. Practically flat in other words. Open your stance way up, basically open your stance the same number of degrees you have the face opened. Now swing out to in, cutting across and behind the ball. Take a full swing, hitting behind the ball 1- 1/2 inches. The ball will pop straight up and land soft. If the sand is manicured and fluffy you'll even get back spin on it.

[fisher]

I went thru something similar last fall. I bladed a few bunker shots and it got in my head. For me the fix was to concentrate on getting my belt buckle facing the target or even left of the target at my finish. When I struggle in the bunkers it is because I am using my arms too much and not making a full turn.

[ProV1x]

Thanks guys, Im going to work more on that today that has been a big part of my problem is not opening up the face nor my stance. And also my poor lack of a full turn

[mddubya]

Originally Posted by ProV1x

Thanks guys, Im going to work more on that today that has been a big part of my problem is not opening up the face nor my stance. And also my poor lack of a full turn

Use your 60º and keep your lower body quiet in the bunkers. Don't forget to dig your feet in to get a stable base also.

When you do it right you'll hear the club slapping the sand. Remember, your actually trying to hit the sand and have the sand push the ball out. Your not actually hitting the ball at all.

[ProV1x]

so mddubya should visualize a spot say about 1-2 inches behind the ball and focus on hitting that spot?

[ProV1x]

should I* sorry

[mddubya]

Originally Posted by ProV1x

so mddubya should visualize a spot say about 1-2 inches behind the ball and focus on hitting that spot?

Exactly, in fact, for practice purposes only, draw a line in the sand behind the ball. That will get you used to the concept.

Of course, during an actual round, that is a penalty stroke. Although I've never understood why?

[ProV1x]

thanks man!

[zaphod]

Skulling can be the result of trying to lift the ball. To prevent lifting think about driving the ball forward and getting your weight to the forward side

[MIKE1218]

What usually fixes me right up with any bunker explosion problems is visualizing a dollar bill on the sand with my ball on the face. Bring the club under the bill.