Gary Participant reveals his secrets and techniques for elite bunker play

Golf instruction is ever-evolving, however the very best recommendation stands the check of time. In GOLF.com’s new sequence, Timeless Suggestions, we’re highlighting a few of the best recommendation lecturers and gamers have disbursed within the pages of GOLF Journal. As we speak look again at Gary Participant’s bunker secrets and techniques from our March 1989 problem. For limitless entry to the total GOLF Journal digital archive, be a part of InsideGOLF right this moment; you’ll get pleasure from $140 of worth for less than $39.99/yr.

Gary Participant is named many issues — main champion, world traveler, unparalleled storyteller — however one which generally get missed is elite bunker participant. Whereas his recreation was tidy throughout all through his profession, his bunker play usually stood out.

That’s an idea that’s international to most leisure gamers. Bunkers are seen as scorecard killers for many weekend warriors, they usually look to keep away from them in any respect prices.

That wasn’t the case for the Black Knight. Whereas he could not have been aiming for the bunkers, he certain wasn’t timid as soon as he discovered himself within the sand.

This success could be attributed to a fearless angle and beautiful method. And whereas we are able to’t educate Participant’s fearlessness, we may give you some perception into his method.

Take a look at beneath a few of Participant’s finest secrets and techniques from the sand from the March 1989 problem of GOLF Journal.

Gary Participant’s bunker secrets and techniques

I’m honored that many nice gamers and lecturers contemplate me the very best bunker participant ever. I’m too modest to agree, however such a rating would put me in esteemed firm.

My very own checklist of sand geniuses consists of some well-known gamers, corresponding to Bobby Locke, Julius Boros, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Chi Chi Rodriguez and Seve Ballesteros. I additionally rely Jerry Barber, Norman von Nida and Doug Ford among the many lesser-known, however no much less expert, masters of sand. 

If I’m one of many greats, it’s for one easy cause: No bunker shot has ever scared me, and none ever will. The important thing to this bravado is apply.

I’ve practiced and experimented from a whole bunch of lies with numerous swings, in impact creating a knowledge financial institution in my reminiscence that I can name on it doesn’t matter what form of sand shot I’m going through. Simply as essential, I’ve developed my creativeness to the purpose that I’m assured I can suppose my manner out of any bunker, regardless of how robust the lie.

I believe you get the message: There are not any shortcuts; you could apply. Begin with the fundamentals — that are outlined beneath — then climb the ladder of expertise, including harder pictures to your repertoire.

The fundamentals

First issues first: There’s a membership designed particularly for bunkers, so use it. A sand wedge ought to have a giant sole, with its forefront truly increased than the again of the flange. This angle is named “bounce.” Wedges range of their quantity of bounce, with the larger the bounce often for softer sand. The only real will slide into the sand, pushing it up and throwing out the ball.

Which raises one other key level: Besides when hitting with a membership apart from the sand wedge — in a fairway bunker, for instance — the membership doesn’t hit the ball. The membership hits the sand, which strikes the ball. In case you don’t perceive this, you’ll have hassle with all the recommendation that follows.

I stated earlier than confidence is essential to sand play. Strategy each bunker shot with the sensation that you just’re going to gap it. Amplify your confidence through the use of your primary swing, merely modifying it for specific conditions.

The setup

In a greenside bunker, take an open stance: Goal your toes, knees, hips and shoulders left of the goal. (Don’t dig your toes in too deeply, in any other case you’ll limit leg motion and disturb your stability.) And open the clubface to make entry into the sand simpler.

The open stance will pressure you to swing outdoors the road going again and throughout the ball coming down. This places cut-spin on the ball, so it would fly left-to-right. Compensate for that by aiming left of the goal. However solely hours of apply will educate how how far left to purpose, with the size of the swing depending on the shot at hand.

For shorter pictures, open your stance and the clubface extra; this creates the next, shorter shot. For longer pictures, set your physique and the membership nearer to sq..

The swing

Whilst you ought to use your | primary swing method, some modifications are mandatory. 

Dealing with a clear lie — when the ball sits up on the sand — your swing needs to be extra shallow, virtually U-shaped. Put about 60 % of your weight on the left foot and swing the membership primarily along with your arms.

When the ball is in any respect buried, make an up-and-down, V-shaped swing. Set the clubface sq.; put 75 % of your weight on the left foot; cock the wrists early within the backswing and pull the membership down along with your fingers.

When you’ve mastered these two pictures, attempt them in different conditions. For instance, a V-shaped swing is useful for a really brief sand shot; the identical motion that “knifes” the ball from a buried lie additionally pops it up so it lands and stops shortly. The U-shaped swing is sweet for longer bunker pictures when you could make a fuller movement.

Ball place additionally may also help. You’ll be able to hit the next shot by taking part in the ball ahead in your stance, beginning ing along with your fingers behind and maintaining extra weight in your proper foot. Reverse these steps for a low shot (which additionally rolls extra after touchdown).

As your expertise and confidence develop, it’s best to experiment. In a low-lipped bunker from simply off the inexperienced, attempt placing the ball out. The putter additionally may get the decision when going through a steep downhill shot off arduous sand.

I’m towards chipping from greenside sand. Making an attempt to nip the ball is a low-percentage shot, and also you’re more likely to stub it, hit it fats or catch it skinny. Don’t do it.

Fairway bunkers

First, use a membership with sufficient loft to recover from the lip; even when you find yourself in need of the inexperienced, at the very least you’ll be out of the lure. Second, hit the ball cleanly; don’t hit the sand. Third, when hitting a fairway wooden, give attention to the entrance of the ball; this encourages a sweeping hit. Now it’s as much as you.

Apply, construct your confidence within the sand, and your whole recreation will enhance.