Acing the long bunker shot.

January 1, 2008

Hi, I’m Mel Sole, Director of Instruction at the Mel Sole Golf School, headquartered at Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club in Pawleys Island, SC. We conduct 1, 2 and 3-day golf schools, hourly golf lessons, and senior golf schools—any golf instruction program your heart desires. Give us a call at 800-624-4653 or 843-237-4993. We will be happy to book a commuter school or a package that contains accommodations, golf, and golf school.

Monthly Golf Tips by the Mel Sole Golf School.

Many golfers have trouble with the long sand shot. In this month's Mel in Motion video golf tip, Mel shows us how we can turn this weakness into a stroke-saving shot.

The Club.

The average golfer's biggest mistake when playing a long bunker shot is using a club with too much loft. Acing the long bunker shot requires a club with less loft to make the ball carry further than normal and have less spin than normal. I am using a Gap Wedge in this video, but sometimes a Pitching Wedge or even a 9 iron will do the job. It just depends on how much green you have to work with. If you need the ball to roll out more, use a club like a Pitching Wege or 9 iron. If you need the ball to stop a little quicker, use a Gap Wedge. Using a club with less loft than a Sand Wedge or Lob Wedge, you do not have to make such a big swing.

The Method.

Play the shot almost exactly like you would play a regular sand shot. The ball position is directly off the lead heel. You are hitting about 2" behind the ball. Make sure to focus your eyes 2" behind the ball. Do not look at the ball. If you look at the ball, you will hit the ball! The swing will be bigger, depending on how much carry you need. But because of less loft, the ball is automatically going to carry further. This is a shot you need to practice so that you know exactly just how hard to hit. Developing the feel won't take long if you already know how to play sand shots.

https://youtu.be/VqOzfbkVYAM

Source: Mel Sole Golf School.

Thanks for watching - Acing the long bunker shot. This takes a little practice!

Monthly Golf Tips by the Mel Sole Golf School.

The Club.

The Method.

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