[bent10]

Here are some thoughts on how to play one of the hardest shots in all of golf for players of any skill level, the long green side bunker shot.

Scenario:

You find yourself with a good lie in a green side bunker but this is no ordinary shot. The pin is a good 20 - 30 yards from your location. Hmmmm, normally, you would take out your sand wedge and try to take a mighty swing that nips the ball cleanly. Now sometimes this shot comes off and flies somewhere near the flag stick, making you one of the proudest golfers of all time but most times, however, the result is less desirable. Most likely an ugly thin shot that flies over the flag, over the green, and into the bunker or worse that lies just beyond the green or you flinch and hit the shot fat leaving your golf ball in the bunker and your golf club in jeopardy of being broken, tossed in the water, or being left for some other unsuspecting duffer.

Never fear, here is the answer that will help you when confronted with this situation.

1. Don’t take out your sand wedge. Instead choose your pitching wedge or even 9 iron.
The pitching wedge when used in this situation will release and roll further than your sand wedge and your 9 iron will release and travel farther than your pitching wedge.

2. Take your normal stance in the bunker with your feet pointing approximately 30 degrees left of the target. Note: If you play left handed reverse the verbiage and the technique will work for you as well.

3. Open the face of the pitching wedge or 9 iron relative to your target.
This will expose the back edge of the club effectively applying bounce to the club.
This “bounce” will prevent the club face from digging into the sand which would leave your golf ball in the bunker or well short of the hole.

4. Take a nice smooth swing and hit 1 to 2 inches behind the golf ball just as you would with a normal green side bunker shot.

5. Accelerate to a full finish and watch the ball fly toward the hole and release after hitting the green.

6. Practice with each club a bit to get a feel for how far the ball will fly and how far it will release when you use this technique and I guarantee you’ll save shots.

If you would like my weekly stroke saver series delivered directly to you via email along with equipment reviews, golf course reviews, and other golf news, please visit Your Golf Shop Online and sign up. There is no charge just a lot of good information to improve your game.

Here’s to a lower score for you,

Ben Throckmorton
YourGolfShopOnline.com
Ben@YourGolfShopOnline.com
http://www.YourGolfShopOnline.com

[Cole_21]

Great Info.