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This week's lesson is entitled, "How to Get out of a Bunker with
a Buried Lie", and this lesson could really help you out in a
situation where a buried lie could potentially add a few
unneeded strokes to your round.
This is one of the most feared shots in all of golf by the
amateur. Why? Because it looks so intimidating when you can
barely see you ball, but it doesn't need to be that way. You
will be hitting great shots and impressing your friends when you
follow these steps!
Let's say that you just don't have a "fried egg" (where 50% of
the ball is buried) but only the very top of the ball is
visible. What do you do? Follow these steps and you'll be able
to hit any lie that you have in a bunker.
Here's what you do:
1. Choke down on the golf club, about in the same position as a
normal bunker shot (1-2 inches from the bottom of the grip).
2. Take your normal stance, however open it up a little bit.
3. The majority of your weight should be on your front foot
4. Close your clubface and press your hands forward just a
little (this will ensure you to drive the ball out of the sand).
5. Keep your lower body still! This is so important, especially
in this shot!
6. Just like a normal bunker shot take a steep backswing so that
the butt of the club is pointed at the ball. *Remember that your
left arm is going to lead this shot and will be completely
parallel with the ground. Your right elbow is in the locked
position.
7. When you start your downswing do not shift your weight ? keep
the majority of your weight on your front foot.
8. So once you've started your steep downswing hit about 2
inches behind the ball. This is very important because if you
try and hit the ball first you'll just drive it back into the
sand. By hitting 2 inches behind the sand will actually lift the
ball out your clubface really doesn't even touch the golf ball.
*Remember it's very important to keep your clubface closed so
that is can drive the ball out!
9. Remember to swing through the sand and not stop once you've
hit the sand.
10. Keep your angle steep throughout the shot.
Drill: At the practice bunker stomp a few balls almost
completely submerged (make sure you can only see a little of the
ball. This will give you so much confidence because this only
happens in a small percentage of sand play. Focus on keeping
your club face closed throughout your swing....I can't stress
this enough!
Putting it all together in the bunker:
Normal bunker shot: square to slightly open clubface, evenly
balanced weight or weight on back foot, steep/vertical backswing
(lead with your left arm and keep your right elbow "locked" to
its side), keep your entire lower body still?no weight shifting
until you hit the sand.
Buried lie in bunker: slightly closed clubface, forward press
your hand a little, majority of your weight on your front foot,
steep/vertical backswing (lead with your left arm and keep your
right elbow "locked" to its side), keep your entire lower body
still.
About the author:
Kyle Hallberg is the Director of Instruction at
www.golfswingguru.com. He teaches "The Simple Golf Swing" theory
and is a certified USGTF instructor. Kyle writes golf
instruction material, gives lessons, and is the Director of "The
Simple Golf Swing Academy".
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