Gary Participant reveals his secrets and techniques for elite bunker play

Golf instruction is ever-evolving, however the perfect recommendation stands the take a look at of time. In GOLF.com’s new collection, Timeless Suggestions, we’re highlighting a number of the best recommendation lecturers and gamers have allotted within the pages of GOLF Journal. Immediately look again at Gary Participant’s bunker secrets and techniques from our March 1989 problem. For limitless entry to the total GOLF Journal digital archive, be part of InsideGOLF at this time; you’ll get pleasure from $140 of worth for less than $39.99/yr.

Gary Participant is named many issues — main champion, world traveler, unparalleled storyteller — however one which generally get neglected is elite bunker participant. Whereas his recreation was tidy throughout all through his profession, his bunker play typically stood out.

That’s an idea that’s international to most leisure gamers. Bunkers are seen as scorecard killers for many weekend warriors, and so they look to keep away from them in any respect prices.

That wasn’t the case for the Black Knight. Whereas he could not have been aiming for the bunkers, he certain wasn’t timid as soon as he discovered himself within the sand.

This success could be attributed to a fearless perspective and beautiful approach. And whereas we are able to’t train Participant’s fearlessness, we can provide you some perception into his approach.

Take a look at under a few of Participant’s greatest secrets and techniques from the sand from the March 1989 problem of GOLF Journal.

Gary Participant’s bunker secrets and techniques

I’m honored that many nice gamers and lecturers contemplate me the perfect bunker participant ever. I’m too modest to agree, however such a rating would put me in esteemed firm.

My very own checklist of sand geniuses consists of some well-known gamers, similar to Bobby Locke, Julius Boros, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Chi Chi Rodriguez and Seve Ballesteros. I additionally depend Jerry Barber, Norman von Nida and Doug Ford among the many lesser-known, however no much less expert, masters of sand. 

If I’m one of many greats, it’s for one easy purpose: No bunker shot has ever scared me, and none ever will. The important thing to this bravado is observe.

I’ve practiced and experimented from a whole lot of lies with numerous swings, in impact creating an information financial institution in my reminiscence that I can name on it doesn’t matter what form of sand shot I’m dealing with. Simply as essential, I’ve developed my creativeness to the purpose that I’m assured I can assume my method out of any bunker, irrespective of how robust the lie.

I believe you get the message: There aren’t any shortcuts; it’s essential to observe. Begin with the fundamentals — that are outlined under — then climb the ladder of expertise, including more durable photographs to your repertoire.

The fundamentals

First issues first: There’s a membership designed particularly for bunkers, so use it. A sand wedge ought to have a giant sole, with its vanguard truly larger than the again of the flange. This angle is known as “bounce.” Wedges differ of their quantity of bounce, with the larger the bounce normally for softer sand. The only real will slide into the sand, pushing it up and throwing out the ball.

Which raises one other key level: Besides when hitting with a membership apart from the sand wedge — in a fairway bunker, for instance — the membership doesn’t hit the ball. The membership hits the sand, which strikes the ball. In the event you don’t perceive this, you’ll have bother with all the recommendation that follows.

I stated earlier than confidence is essential to sand play. Strategy each bunker shot with the sensation that you just’re going to gap it. Enlarge your confidence by utilizing your primary swing, merely modifying it for specific conditions.

The setup

In a greenside bunker, take an open stance: Intention your toes, knees, hips and shoulders left of the goal. (Don’t dig your toes in too deeply, in any other case you’ll limit leg motion and disturb your stability.) And open the clubface to make entry into the sand simpler.

The open stance will power you to swing outdoors the road going again and throughout the ball coming down. This places cut-spin on the ball, so it is going to fly left-to-right. Compensate for that by aiming left of the goal. However solely hours of observe will train how how far left to goal, with the size of the swing depending on the shot at hand.

For shorter photographs, open your stance and the clubface extra; this creates a better, shorter shot. For longer photographs, set your physique and the membership nearer to sq..

The swing

When you ought to use your | primary swing approach, some modifications are crucial. 

Going through a clear lie — when the ball sits up on the sand — your swing must be extra shallow, virtually U-shaped. Put about 60 p.c of your weight on the left foot and swing the membership primarily along with your arms.

When the ball is in any respect buried, make an up-and-down, V-shaped swing. Set the clubface sq.; put 75 p.c of your weight on the left foot; cock the wrists early within the backswing and pull the membership down along with your fingers.

When you’ve mastered these two photographs, strive them in different conditions. For instance, a V-shaped swing is useful for a really quick sand shot; the identical motion that “knifes” the ball from a buried lie additionally pops it up so it lands and stops rapidly. The U-shaped swing is sweet for longer bunker photographs when it’s essential to make a fuller movement.

Ball place additionally can assist. You’ll be able to hit a better shot by taking part in the ball ahead in your stance, beginning ing along with your fingers behind and conserving extra weight in your proper foot. Reverse these steps for a low shot (which additionally rolls extra after touchdown).

As your expertise and confidence develop, it’s best to experiment. In a low-lipped bunker from simply off the inexperienced, strive placing the ball out. The putter additionally would possibly get the decision when dealing with a steep downhill shot off arduous sand.

I’m towards chipping from greenside sand. Making an attempt to nip the ball is a low-percentage shot, and also you’re more likely to stub it, hit it fats or catch it skinny. Don’t do it.

Fairway bunkers

First, use a membership with sufficient loft to recover from the lip; even when you find yourself in need of the inexperienced, no less than you’ll be out of the lure. Second, hit the ball cleanly; don’t hit the sand. Third, when hitting a fairway wooden, concentrate on the entrance of the ball; this encourages a sweeping hit. Now it’s as much as you.

Observe, construct your confidence within the sand, and your complete recreation will enhance.