Most amateur golfers struggle with bunker shots, but greenside bunkers aren’t the only pits that give players fits. Fairway bunkers can also throw a wrench into your game.
For those who struggle getting out of fairway bunkers, GOLF Top 100 Teacher Brian Mogg has some tips to escape them.
Next time you find your ball in a bunker and still have about 100 yards from the putting surface, use Mogg’s tips below to your advantage. By making just a few adjustments, you’ll save yourself from added strokes and lots of frustration.
Do this to navigate 100-yard bunker shots
Mogg admits that 100-yard bunker shots are an unenviable play for most golfers, presenting all sorts of problems for those with the misfortune of landing in one.
“You don’t want to leave yourself with this [type of in-between shot], but if you do, there are a couple of things [to do] here,” he says.
First, Mogg suggests taking one more club than you normally would. So if you’re typically comfortable hitting a gap wedge from 100 yards, give yourself a little less loft by going with a pitching wedge on this shot.
Next, choke down on the grip “almost a full inch,” according to Mogg, because the key to hitting this 100-yard bunker shot is simply hitting it solid. If you take too much sand, you risk the ball staying in the sand. If you end up topping the ball, you may not get out either, as the ball could hit the lip and roll back into the sand.
Mogg says to set up to the ball in the middle of your stance with your weight on your front side. Avoid digging in with your feet. You must keep the weight on that lead foot through your swing, and avoid any temptation to lean back and try to lift the ball out of the bunker.
Finally, Mogg suggests keeping your swing “quiet” from the belly button down, allowing your arms to swing and the hips to rotate without much lower-body torsion. Trust that you’ve chosen the right club and have the right setup, and resist the temptation to over-swing.
The result should be a smooth, solid move that emphasizes contact over trajectory — and ensures your ball cleanly exits the bunker.
