Gary Participant reveals his secrets and techniques for elite bunker play

Golf instruction is ever-evolving, however the very best recommendation stands the take a look at of time. In GOLF.com’s new sequence, Timeless Ideas, we’re highlighting a few of the best recommendation academics and gamers have allotted within the pages of GOLF Journal. Immediately look again at Gary Participant’s bunker secrets and techniques from our March 1989 problem. For limitless entry to the complete GOLF Journal digital archive, be a part of InsideGOLF as we speak; you’ll take pleasure in $140 of worth for less than $39.99/yr.

Gary Participant is called many issues — main champion, world traveler, unparalleled storyteller — however one which typically get missed is elite bunker participant. Whereas his recreation was tidy throughout all through his profession, his bunker play typically 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 might be attributed to a fearless perspective and beautiful approach. And whereas we are able to’t train Participant’s fearlessness, we can provide you some perception into his approach.

Try beneath a few of Participant’s greatest 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 academics think about 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 record of sand geniuses consists of some well-known gamers, reminiscent of Bobby Locke, Julius Boros, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Chi Chi Rodriguez and Seve Ballesteros. I additionally depend 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 observe.

I’ve practiced and experimented from lots of of lies with numerous swings, in impact creating an information financial institution in my reminiscence that I can name on it doesn’t matter what type 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 powerful the lie.

I feel you get the message: There aren’t any shortcuts; you have to observe. Begin with the fundamentals — that are outlined beneath — then climb the ladder of expertise, including more durable 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 an enormous sole, with its vanguard truly larger than the again of the flange. This angle is known as “bounce.” Wedges differ of their quantity of bounce, with the better the bounce often for softer sand. The only 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 aside 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. Method each bunker shot with the sensation that you just’re going to gap it. Amplify your confidence by utilizing your fundamental swing, merely modifying it for explicit conditions.

The setup

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

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

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

The swing

When you ought to use your | fundamental swing approach, some modifications are vital. 

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

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

Ball place additionally will help. You’ll be able to hit a better shot by taking part in the ball ahead in your stance, beginning ing together with your palms behind and holding 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, you need to experiment. In a low-lipped bunker from simply off the inexperienced, strive placing the ball out. The putter additionally may get the decision when going through a steep downhill shot off onerous sand.

I’m towards chipping from greenside sand. Attempting 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 entice. Second, hit the ball cleanly; don’t hit the sand. Third, when hitting a fairway wooden, deal with the entrance of the ball; this encourages a sweeping hit. Now it’s as much as you.

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