These two strategies will make bunker photographs a breeze.
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Welcome to Play Good, an everyday GOLF.com game-improvement column that can assist you play smarter, higher golf.
The ultimate males’s main of the season is upon us. The Open Championship, the oldest of the 4 majors, heads to Royal Troon this week as the boys wrap up the 2024 main season.
Not like the opposite three majors, the Open is just not performed within the U.S., giving golf followers a glimpse of at a special model of golf. Hyperlinks golf is understood for gnarly climate and whipping winds, and whoever prevails this week must courageous the weather to take residence the Claret Jug.
Royal Troon, internet hosting the Open for the tenth time, is certain to supply a stern take a look at this week. Those that hope to change into Champion Golf of the Yr might want to navigate not solely the weather, however loads of sand as properly. There are round 100 bunkers dotting the panorama at this week’s host website, and whoever proves victorious might want to deliver their A-game when discovering these hazards.
Successfully escaping bunkers requires completely different strategies relying on what shot is required, and followers can be reminded of that reality as gamers navigate Royal Troon this week. For a few strategies for escaping bunkers, we flip to 2014 Champion Golfer of the Yr Rory McIlroy.
Excessive flight
Generally once you’re within the bunker you’ll must get the ball up within the air shortly to be able to escape. Or there is likely to be a ridge on the inexperienced it is advisable carry to get the ball near the flag. When these conditions come up, it’s essential to know easy methods to hit a high-flighted bunker shot that stops shortly on the inexperienced.
For this shot, McIlroy recommends taking part in the ball towards the entrance of your stance. Then be certain that the clubface is large open and that you simply arrange together with your palms good and low. Once you make your swing, be certain that to launch the shaft early and let the clubhead cross your palms at impression.
“The worst factor you are able to do in a bunker is shaft lean,” McIlroy says. “So making an attempt to ship that membership again to the place you arrange is basically essential.”
Low flight
At different occasions within the bunker, you may must hit a low shot that runs out a bit. When this occurs, you’ll want to make use of a little bit completely different approach than the high-flighted shot.
McIlroy recommends you play this shot with the ball a little bit additional again in your stance. Don’t open up the clubface fairly as a lot as you do for the high-flighted shot and maintain your palms a bit larger at setup.
“Nonetheless attempt to maintain that membership shaft fairly impartial,” McIlroy says. “After which from there attempt to hit a great two inches behind the ball simply to let it come out and launch all the way down to the opening.”
