Full Swing from a Fairway Bunker.

January 4, 2000

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 Tip by the Mel Sole Golf School.

Fairway bunkers have an intimidating factor for most golfers. However, this doesn't need to be. Shots from a fairway bunker are just like a shot from the fairway. Let me explain.

This month's tip request is from Don Smith of Huntersville, NC, who asks: "How do I decide what club to use out of a fairway bunker?"

Well, Don, the answer is simple, take enough club to clear the top lip of the bunker. "I already know that," you say. Well, here is a method that will be fairly accurate in helping you know which club will clear that lip.

Fairway Bunkers.

Stand outside the bunker (as you cannot ground your club in the bunker) and stand on the face of whichever club you feel you need to get to the green. The angle of the shaft will approximate the trajectory of the ball. If the angle is sufficient, then go ahead and play the shot as normal. If the angle is not sufficient, then take one or more clubs to make sure you clear the lip. It is far better to come up a club or two short of the green than burying the ball in the lip of the bunker.

Fairway Bunkers.

Tips for playing out of a fairway bunker:

Do not dig your feet into the sand too deep (as you would in a greenside bunker) because this will cause your feet to be significantly lower than the ball, and you could hit the shot fat.
Make a normal swing, do not try and either lift the ball or try to hit it any harder. Just play the shot the same as if you were swinging from the fairway.

Source: Mel Sole Golf School.

Thank you for reading - Full Swing from a Fairway Bunker.

Monthly Golf Tip by the Mel Sole Golf School.

Tips for playing out of a fairway bunker:

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