There are two different types of bunkers -- fairway bunkers and greenside bunkers. Getting out of them takes two different types of swings.
Let's tackle the
fairway bunker first.
You want to play the ball back in your stance to make sure you make contact with the ball first. You don't want to hit sand first on a fairway bunker shot.
This shot is more of an arm swing -- you want to keep your lower body stable because sometimes footing isn't very good in sand. Because you're not using all the power in your body, you want to take an extra club.
As far as club selection, you have to see what the lip is like. If you're going to use a wood, use a higher-lofted club (a 5- or 7-wood). The Number 1 thing about being in the bunker is you want to get out.
A
greenside shot is totally different.
There are three rules in the bunker:
- get out;
- hit it on the green;
- get it close.
Here, equipment makes a difference. You want a club that has a good degree of bounce. This comes from the trailing edge being lower than the leading edge of the club. When you're coming though the sand you want to have that bounce because it stops you from digging in too deep. Good sand play requires a specialized club.
Imagine a "turkey track" on these shots. There are three lines, all starting at your ball. You've got one line going straight out, another one at a 30-degree angle outside the ball and a third at 30 degrees inside the ball.
Your feet are parallel with the inside line. The scoring lines of your club-face are parallell with the outside line. The ball will follow the straight line toward the hole.
If you narrow the track, the ball will fly farther. If you widen the track, the ball will fly shorter and higher.
Make an outside-in swing. Aim one inch behind in the sand.
If the ball is buried, a "fried egg" lie, take a club with stronger loft. Instead of opening the club face, close it. Aim about 1/2-inch behind the ball and don't open your stance quite as much. Take a V-shaped swing. Swing down to the ball. It's not going to be pretty, but it's going to get you out.
You never want to pick the ball cleanly in a greenside bunker.
