- Club Selection: Sand Wedge. For normal shots in bunkers around the green you will want to use your sand wedge. ...
- Choke Down on the Club. Place your hands and fingers a little lower on the grip of the club than you normally would. ...
- Grip the Club with an Open Clubface. For regular bunker shots you will not want to grip your sand wedge as you normally would any other club, i.e., where the ...
- Widen your Stance. Increase the distance between your two feet so that your stance is a little wider than it would normally be when using a wedge in the fairway.
- Open your Stance. Open your stance so your feet are pointing left of the target. ...
- Aim 2” Behind Ball – Position the Ball Forward in your Stance. ...
- Dig your Feet into the Sand. When the location of the ball in relation to your feet and the width of your stance is set it is time to dig ...
- Accelerate Towards the Ball with a Full Follow Through. Being tentative in the bunker simply doesn’t work. ...
- Control your Distance with the Length of your Backswing. Try to make it a point to integrate bunker practice into your range sessions whenever it is possible.
Can you hit a golf ball from outside the bunker?
The bunker restrictions as set out in Rule 12 only apply when your ball is in a bunker; when your ball is outside it, there’s no issue with going into the sand and making a practice swing, grounding the club or not. (Remember to rake when you’re done, of course.)
Can You ground your club in the bunker?
1. Not allowed to ground your club in the bunker The main rule to follow in bunkers is you are not allowed to touch the sand with your club whether that be grounding it behind the ball, shifting sand on your backswing or having a practice shot in the sand.
Where do you find the bunker rule in the USGA?
The rule is found in the USGA Golfers Handbook, under Section 13-4. Grounding your club in a bunker is defined as a golfer touching the sand with their club while addressing the ball, shifting sand on your backswing, or taking a practice shot in the sand.
What are the rules for playing in bunkers?
The main rule to follow in bunkers is you are not allowed to touch the sand with your club whether that be grounding it behind the ball, shifting sand on your backswing or having a practice shot in the sand.
Can a golf club be grounded in a bunker?
Not allowed to ground your club in the bunker The main rule to follow in bunkers is you are not allowed to touch the sand with your club whether that be grounding it behind the ball, shifting sand on your backswing or having a practice shot in the sand.
How much should you club up in a fairway bunker?
Choke Up & Club Up The key to hitting it solid from fairway bunkers is to choke up one inch. This works because you can control the ball more and help you not get as much sand. As you're shortening the club, you want to make sure to club up at least one club.
Should you open the club face in a bunker?
BALL UP: OPEN CLUBFACE This is the best lie you can hope for in the bunker. Open the clubface so that the grooves point slightly right of the target line. This exposes the bounce on the sole of the clubhead, which allows it to skid rather than dig and take less sand.
How do you play a bunker in golf?
2:1012:08How to play bunker shots from Hard or Soft Sand - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPlay but you're actually left handed doesn't matter but i'm letting my elbow fold here.MorePlay but you're actually left handed doesn't matter but i'm letting my elbow fold here.
How do you hit long irons out of a bunker?
1:012:10How to hit a fairway bunker shot - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo once you've got the feeling of the right kind of contact just line up to your shot. Make sure youMoreSo once you've got the feeling of the right kind of contact just line up to your shot. Make sure you don't ground your club in the hazard. And try to catch the ball. And then the sand in that. Order.
Can you hit hybrid out of sand?
0:152:36Can you play a BUNKER SHOT with a HYBRID? YES, and this is HOW!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo as you see the ball is slightly plugged into the sand I still have to make 150 meter shot andMoreSo as you see the ball is slightly plugged into the sand I still have to make 150 meter shot and therefore. I'm gonna use the hybrid. As you know the hybrid has a more bigger soul than iron.
When should you open club face?
0:495:21How to Fix an Open Club Face (Vertical Line Golf Swing) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAt address when you put it behind the golf ball is square. You would not believe how many golfersMoreAt address when you put it behind the golf ball is square. You would not believe how many golfers come to my lesson tee. And they say todd i'm slicing the golf ball. And they set up to the golf ball.
How do you hit open clubface?
If you want to open the face of a club, you simply rotate it in your hands at address:A righthanded golfer opens the face by rotating the club a little to the right (so that the toe of the club is behind the heel).A lefthanded golfer opens the face by rotating the club a little to the left.
How do you hit an open face with a wedge?
5:1112:25HOW TO HIT GOLF WEDGE SHOTS WITH BACKSPIN! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBetween my face and the ball. That causes it to slide the ball doesn't grab the face it slides up itMoreBetween my face and the ball. That causes it to slide the ball doesn't grab the face it slides up it.
How do you swing a bunker?
5:206:39Getting Out Of The BUNKER In ONE SWING! - Simple Explanation GOLF ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSame procedure get your stance take the ball towards inside left foot keep your weight onto the leftMoreSame procedure get your stance take the ball towards inside left foot keep your weight onto the left foot aim in front of the ball ten centimeter before striking into the sand.
How do you control distance on a bunker shot?
0:132:56Titleist Golf Tips: Controlling Distance on Your Bunker Shots - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDistance wedges are chipping you always want to control distance with length of backswing. AndMoreDistance wedges are chipping you always want to control distance with length of backswing. And rhythm so if i'm going to make a shorter shot i'd make a shorter swing you cannot do that in the bunker.
Why can't I hit out of a bunker?
According to Harmon, it's pretty simple. “You've got to make a swing that's big enough to get the sand out of the bunker,” Harmon said. “So if you're not making a swing that's going to throw the sand out of the bunker, the ball isn't going to get out of the bunker.”
How do you hit a fairway wood in a bunker?
0:151:36Fairway Wood Out Of A Bunker - Callaway Office Golf Tips - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUnder the sand. So. And then don't try to swing too hard because you're gonna have to stay reallyMoreUnder the sand. So. And then don't try to swing too hard because you're gonna have to stay really centre otherwise you're gonna miss the ball. And. And this is how you do. It.
What club do you hit out of a fairway bunker?
0:557:30Rory McIlroy's Fairway Bunker Tips | TaylorMade Golf - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo guess two things for me in the fairway bunker is i choke down in the club. And i try to make myMoreSo guess two things for me in the fairway bunker is i choke down in the club. And i try to make my lower body as quiet as possible.
Can I ground my club in the sand trap?
The Old Rule: Most golfers know to be careful once entering a bunker. No grounding the club. No touching the sand. No removing leaves or any kind of debris.
Can you ground your club in a fairway?
Whether you're facing a shot from the dry bank of a lake or trying to hit it back into play from the edge of the water, you can ground your club just like you would in the middle of the fairway.
Who is the rules guru for bunkers?
In this video, Neil Tappin is joined by rules guru Jeremy Ellwood to look at the rules specifically related to bunkers. They discuss what you are and are not allowed to do to help avoid any confusion and potential penalty shots.
What happens if you can't drop your golf ball?
If you can’t then you can take maximum available relief which could mean your feet would still be in the water but your ball wouldn’t be. If there is nowhere in the bunker to drop it then you would have to drop outside, under penalty. Related: 7 Simple Golf Rules Mistakes.
Can you find your ball in a bunker?
Unplayable Lies. Sometimes you may find your ball in a completely unplayable area of a bunker. The options here include the usual options of going back to play the previous shot again from wherever that was, you can drop within two clubs lengths no nearer the hole or in line for a one-stroke penalty.
Can you ground your golf club in a bunker?
1. Not allowed to ground your club in the bunker. The main rule to follow in bunkers is you are not allowed to touch the sand with your club whether that be grounding it behind the ball, shifting sand on your backswing or having a practice shot in the sand.
Can you take a drop back in line outside of a bunker?
Indeed the old rules said this drop still had to take place in the bunker but under the new rules you can take a drop back in line, outside of the bunker but that would be with a two-stroke penalty, not one. In terms of water in a bunker, you are entitled to relief from that but you must take relief within in the bunker.
Can you put two clubs in a bunker?
Additionally if you take two clubs into the bunker to see which one to use, once you have decided you can put the club you decided not to use on the ground too. Also you can use the club to steady yourself if the bunker is particularly steep of precarious to get in to.
Can you touch sand with a golf club?
You are not allowed to touch the sand with your club like this. It should be noted that there are some exceptions regarding you or your club touching the sand. First you are allowed to tidy up other parts of the bunker away from where your ball is lying for care of the course purposes.
What is bunker shot?
A bunker shot is essentially a fat shot where the club penetrates the sand some 2” behind the ball. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to learn how to get how of bunkers every time.
What wedge to use for bunkers?
For normal shots in bunkers around the green you will want to use your sand wedge. This type of wedge usually has around 56 degrees of loft and most importantly features bounce on the trailing edge of the golf club. Both of those features will help the clubhead bounce off the sand (instead of digging into the sand) and propel ...
How to get your clubface to point right?
Open your Stance. Open your stance so your feet are pointing left of the target. Doing so will bring your clubface direction more in line with the flag, effectively putting you in a situation where the clubface is pointed just slightly right of the target.
How to get closer to the ball on a golf wedge?
Increase the distance between your two feet so that your stance is a little wider than it would normally be when using a wedge in the fairway. Around shoulder-width or a little wider is good. This will add stability to your swing, and bring you closer to the ball. Being closer means that you will have an easier time hitting the sand underneath ...
Do you need a full length golf club for bunker shots?
Bunker shots require finesse rather than pure power so the full length of the club is not required in most instances.
Do you need to grip a sand wedge for bunker shots?
For regular bunker shots you will not want to grip your sand wedge as you normally would any other club, i.e., where the face of the club is square to the target.
Definition
In golf, grounding your club in a bunker is prohibited to ensure fairness and upkeep the challenge of golf. The rule is found in the USGA Golfers Handbook, under Section 13-4.
Result
In all leagues and levels of play in golf, there are varying degrees of penalties for grounding your club in a bunker. According to USGAs official rulebook 13-4, the penalty for grounding a club is a two-stroke penalty in stroke play. If the player grounds their club in a bunker during match play, the golfer is awarded a loss of the hole.
Examples
A player is in a bunker, and they go to swing and make contact with the sand in their backswing.
