Need a Lesson?
Click here to search the directory.

The fairway bunker shot is not often used, but when you do, remember 3 things:

1. Use the correct club
2. Have the correct set-up
3. Perform the correct swing

1. Correct Club

When your ball is in a fairway bunker, don’t just check the distance; see what is in front of you first. Is there a "lip" in front? If so, How High? Club selection is determined by what club will clear the "lip" of the bunker. A good way to check to see if your ball will fly over the lip is to lay your iron on the grass, not sand, and step on the face. The angle of the shaft shows you the trajectory of your ball flight. So choose the iron that will clear the lip. If there is no lip, a #7 wood, #5 wood or club of your choice needed for the distance to the green may be used.

2. The Correct Set – Up

Ball Position

Stand so that the ball is in the center of your stance. Too far forward will make you hit the sand and not the ball, and too far back will make your posture drop down.

Posture

Keep your chin up! If your head is down, you will have a tendency to hit too much sand and not advance the ball out of the bunker. So stand tall, pivot from the hips, and don’t round your back.

Hot Tip!

Choke up on your grip a little. It keeps the club head from hitting too much sand

3. With the correct club and your grip (choked up) and a good tall posture, now swing correctly and get out of that fairway bunker with some distance.

Two keys that will help achieve a correct swing are:

1. Swinging your arms high above your head will only make the club head dig into the sand too much. Try keeping your arms swinging a little flatter, around your shoulders.
2. As you are making contact with the ball, make sure your body is turning with your arm swing. If your body doesn’t turn, it will want to drop down to hit the ball, but you will hit the sand and not the ball. So turn and follow through for good ball contact.

Hope these tips help and good golfing.