How to be a Better Bunker Player
Hit Better Bunker Shots in Golf
When I’m playing a bunker shot, I envision a certain PGA pro in my mind. The way he swings, the tempo, the rhythm…it’s right there, front and center of my brain.
And it always–ALWAYS–helps me get out of the sand safely and softly.
So who is this pro? And how can he help YOU?
Find out right now…
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19 Comments
CJ, i’m just wondering with the bunker shots. I used to without realising would ‘chicken wing’ out through the impact zone. This resulted in a lot of fat shots in the bunker.
I’ve recently had a lot more success by ensuring my arms are closer together and connected in particular through the hitting zone of the bunker. This really made a difference.
Is this something that you feel is really important and can make a difference?
Cheers
Troy Vayanos,
Thanks Troy for the question. You need to learn how to keep your left elbow close to your body and release the club without releasing the club face. I speak about this when hitting wedges. That is the same way you will hit a bunker shot. I think you have seen these videos on wedges before so let me know if this makes sense.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
CJ,
You previously told me that the reason for “drop kicking” my driver off the tee is beacuse I’m bringing the club too far to the inside on my down swing. How do I stop, or correct, this habit that has destroyed my drives? Thanks.
Ed
CJ,
Just finished watching your 360 degree golf coaching system, great series of DVD’s and Manuals! Learnt so much that you don’t cover in your main dvd’s and I highly recommend it to those who are looking to take their game to the next level. Really comprehensive. With these dvd’s, I don’t know why anyone would need to post questions on the blog, the answers to the common questions are right here on the dvds and manuals… I haven’t watched Choosing the right clubs and the shafts dvd’s yet, but watched all the others and have started filling out the manuals. Great instruction, although I would highly suggest you have CJ’s original dvd’s such as the signature series at least, as it builds on it. Great program xD
And CJ takes bunker play to a whole new level in the 360 degree golf system, he shows you how to hit a low bunker shot with run, how to hit a high bunker shot that stops quickly, how to hit a spinning bunker shot, how to hit an ultra high bunker shot (imagine the club face has sand on it at address, during your backswing, you want to flick the sand behind you… That’s the secret to keeping the club face super open) Sorry CJ for telling those who don’t have your 360 degree golf system the secrets that you teach in it, but they need to know… Also the philosophy for the full swing, Club, Arms, Body, then Body, Arms, Club… Really good.
@Axel, thanks for sharing with us your opinion on 360 degree golf coaching system. I’m thinking of buying it, too, therefore my decision, based on youre review, will be much easier now
. Much appreciated your info.
Axel,
thanks Axel for the great recommendation on the 360 program. I am glad you liked it and please keep me informed on your game.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
I thought you control distanse with the length of yourback swing
Werner,
Thanks for the question. remember out of the bunker we want good smooth rhythm. In other words a nice long flowing backswing. Then yes your distance is controlled by the length of the follow through. A short follow through (barely out of sand) will make the ball go short and a long follow through(behind your head) will make it go far. Best wishes and I hope this helps. let me know if you have any questions.
Another great bunker tip, thanks CJ
Troy Vayanos,
Thanks Troy for the feedback. Best wishes to you
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
Hi Cj,
Can you tell if there is a certin degree of bounce on a sand weadge that should be used.
Dave Green,
Thanks Dave for the question. Having recently gone through a fitting school for EDEL Wedges I recommend a lot more bounce than most people have. Go to edelgolf.com and see if there is a wedge fitter near you or contact the company and they will be able to help you out with locations. Best wishes.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
Hi and thanks CJ, but where abouts do we hit the sand? and how far under or how far behind the ball etc.? Mike
Mike,
Thanks Mike. you want to hit the sand about 2-3″ behind the ball for all bunker shots unless your trying to really spin the ball, but I only recommend that for the advanced player. Hope this helps
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
Hi DJ, I’m really enjoying your teachings, they’re great. You are teaching us bunker shots this week and I see that your are hitting out of normal sand. On the courses I play on her in NJ they do not have nice sandtraps, they are more like dirt, very hard, and getting the club under the ball is tough, it’s like hitting off hard packed dirt. How do we get out of these types of traps? I’m sure there are others with the same problem.
Thank you so much.
Bob
Bob Bilardo,
Thanks Bob for the question. The technique is the same for hard bunkers, but you need to place a bit more weight forward at setup and grip the club super tight with the last three fingers of your left hand. You need to hinge the club a bit quicker in the backswing, but for the most part its the same. Understand the ball will come out quicker so you don’t need to swing as hard. You grip the club tight to keep the club from bouncing off the dirt so make sure you keep it tight. Let me know if this helps
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ
CJ thank you so much for the tip on getting out of the green side bunker dirt traps. I played today and I did manage to get into a bunker that was actually mud. I cheated and drew the arrow just to try what you have said. I did everything you said to do and WOW the ball came out beautifully, not as far as I would have liked it. (my follow-through wasn’t high enough), but nonetheless I got out so easily. I’m going to order your 360 degree golf coaching now. Your teachings are the best, bar none. Thanks again CJ
Bob
Bob Bilardo,
Thanks Bob for the nice words. Keep up the great work and best wishes. Let me know your thoughts on the 360 program and if you have any questions.
Keep em Long and Straight,
CJ