BUNKER TROUBLE?

If you have trouble with greenside bunker play, think of using your pitching technique to re-learn how to get out of the bunker with some control. Here is a technique to try…

  1. Locate a spot in the sand two inches behind the ball and treat that spot as the middle of your stance. Aim directly at the flag and open the clubface slightly to add more bounce. Move your hands ahead of the club head, and shift 75% of your weight to your left side. (for right hander’s)
  2. Before you swing, determine the amount of power it is going to take to get the ball to the hole. A good rule of thumb is that the ball will fly roughly one third as far as a normal pitch shot. So if you have a 20 yard bunker shot, treat it like a 60 yard pitch shot.
  3. Make your normal pitch shot swing but remember not to help the ball up, instead trust the open clubface to produce plenty of loft. Hit the spot in the sand two inches behind the ball with the sole of your sand wedge, where the bounce is, versus the leading edge.
  4. Keep your hands ahead of the club head at impact and swing through the shot so that your hands finish high with your arms extended toward the target. If you can ‘throw’ the sand out of the bunker, your ball will also fly out and land soft next to the hole.

Make plans to play in the Angelo State Athletic Foundation Golf Tournament, Monday, June 14th. ASU continues to attract special athletes and pursue continuous improvement with help from you. By participating in this event you will help raise recruiting dollars for all sports! Congratulations to Coach Reid and the Women’s Track Team for bringing home the National Championship! The Golf Team is looking for one of those in the near future!

The ‘Golf for the Kidz – Tony Smith & Chuck Courtion Memorial Tournament’ is just around the corner, Saturday, June 19th. Friends of Tony and Chuck invite you to join them in a fun day of golf to raise money for the San Angelo Junior High Golf Team, ASU Rambelle Golf Team and a new golf program for less fortunate kids!

Contact Bentwood Country Club for more information or to sign up for both events, 325-944-8575!

In the meantime, good luck with your bunker play and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Jimmy Tidwell is the Director of Golf, Club Manager at Bentwood Country Club and WestTexasGolfAcademy. Contact him at 325-944-8575.