The Biggest Killer To Bunkers Is Clubface!!

For a lot of beginner golfers and intermediate players, bunkers can feel quite difficult to exit from. It can be quite demoralizing as even when you do exit the bunker, the balls tend to run too far or end up quite short from their intended target. The biggest element that is holding you back is the clubface. More specifically if you set up the same way as with any other shot with the clubface pointed at the target, it will invariably cause disaster when striking the sand.

Now the reason why it often ends in disaster, is that when the clubface is straight, you are only interacting with the leading edge. The leading edge is the front part of the sole of the clubface which is designed to dig into the surface. The leading edge is fantastic with normal shots as it will dig into the grass thus propelling the ball into the air. However using the leading edge with standard shots in the bunker leads to sand divots that are too deep, thus causing the ball to often stay in the bunker.

What you want to use in the bunker is the bounce section of the club. The ideal bounce used with the clubface is in the middle section of the sole. Now the best way to use this bounce is by having the clubface open at address. Of course when opening the clubface, also be sure to open your stance line as well. When you then have the clubface open, you will start to to contact the middle section of the sole thus causing shallower divots. This will then propel the ball out of the bunker also with spin.

With this clubface open at address, it's also a good idea that the clubface is turned even more open on the backswing. This really ensures that at impact you are using the correction section of the sole. A great drill which Rory MocIlroy uses when trying to rotate the face open on the backswing, is placing a clump of sand on the clubface at address and then trying to toss the sand over his body at the top of the swing. By doing this, you will have definitely ensured that the clubface is always opening and thus more likely using the bounce at impact.

If you'd like any further help with bunker play just contact myself at David Waters Golf.