9 min
Bunker Trouble: Back Lip Interference
54 sec
What's the most difficult bunker shot in golf? The long bunker shot? A plugged or fried-egg lie? Submitted for your your approval, the downhill lie, close to the back lip of the bunker may be the hardest bunker shot of them all.
With any difficult bunker shot, there is a chance that you'll leave the golf ball in the sand for your next shot. But on how many other shots is it a real possibility to top, shank or whiff the ball completely?
In this video, Titleist staff member Michael Breed tackles this difficult situation. It takes some strength in your lower body and an aggressive attitude, but follow Michael's keys and you can avoid some big numbers when you face this kind of bad break in the sand.
Keys:
• Lean towards the target.
• Add knee flex in your lead knee and tilt your lead shoulder down (so your shoulders are level with the slope).
• Hinge the club up steeply on your backswing to avoid the lip.
• Swing aggressively into the sand and keep the club accelerating down and UNDER the ball. Don't try to lift up through impact!
• Manage your expectations. This shot is difficult! The ball will come out of the bunker on a low trajectory and run a good deal afterwards. Simply keeping the the ball on the putting surface is often a success.
• If your ball is extremely close to the back lip, consider playing out sideways rather than playing towards the green. Sometimes it's better to take your medicine than waste additional strokes in the trap.
With any difficult bunker shot, there is a chance that you'll leave the golf ball in the sand for your next shot. But on how many other shots is it a real possibility to top, shank or whiff the ball completely?
In this video, Titleist staff member Michael Breed tackles this difficult situation. It takes some strength in your lower body and an aggressive attitude, but follow Michael's keys and you can avoid some big numbers when you face this kind of bad break in the sand.
Keys:
• Lean towards the target.
• Add knee flex in your lead knee and tilt your lead shoulder down (so your shoulders are level with the slope).
• Hinge the club up steeply on your backswing to avoid the lip.
• Swing aggressively into the sand and keep the club accelerating down and UNDER the ball. Don't try to lift up through impact!
• Manage your expectations. This shot is difficult! The ball will come out of the bunker on a low trajectory and run a good deal afterwards. Simply keeping the the ball on the putting surface is often a success.
• If your ball is extremely close to the back lip, consider playing out sideways rather than playing towards the green. Sometimes it's better to take your medicine than waste additional strokes in the trap.
