The long bunker shot. Nobody’s a fan, but it’s not impossible, even when using your everyday sand swing.
The trick is to take one more club — use your 9-iron. That’s more than enough to cozy one up to the flag from long range. But there’s one setup adjustment: Lower the handle to help the club glide through the sand. Then follow the steps listed below.
1. Low hands at impact
Since you start with the handle low at address, make sure it’s low when you swing through impact.
2. Release
Bunker shots require speed and acceleration through impact. Be sure to “release” the club past your hands and let the loft of your club do the rest.
3. Just swing!
If you follow steps 1 and 2, all you need to do is make your normal sand swing. Trust that the 9-iron will get you all the way home without any extra effort.
Bernie Najar is a GOLF Top 100 Teacher and is the director of instruction at Caves Valley GC in Owings Mills, Md.
