The Fairway Bunker Shot

Hitting a full shot from a fairway bunker can be a terrifying prospect for many amateur golfers. Even accomplished low handicappers and professionals will view the shot with a great deal of respect because the margin for error is tiny. If you catch the sand first when playing a shot from a bunker, the heavy resistance of the sand can stop a fast moving club head stone dead in its tracks.

The end result is low swing speed and very little distance. You will be lucky to remove the ball from the bunker, let alone get it to the green. Much depends on how high the lip on the front of the bunker is, but if the ball is lying well there is no reason why you cannot hit a fairway wood provided you keep your swing smooth and controlled. Maintaining balance is the key to the long bunker shot. Play it as you would a long iron from a tight lie.

Address and swing

Maintaining your height, spine angle and knee flex are the keys to consistent ball striking and that philosophy is just as applicable to playing from a fairway bunker as from anywhere else, since any loss of height will cause the club head to dig into the sand before the ball. Keep your swing as smooth and controlled as possible while avoiding sudden changes in swing speed and lunges at the ball. That will ensure successful fairway bunker play.

Escaping a fairway bunker

1. Your priority is to ensure that the club head does not make contact with the sand before the ball. Set up as though you are going to play a shot from the fairway. Avoid shuffling your feet into the sand as that will lower your body and increase your chances of catching the shot heavy. Straighten your legs slightly to raise the club head off the ground.

2. As you make your swing, it is important to maintain your height. Focus on keeping the flex in your knees and your spine angle consistent all the way through from start to finish. If your body bobs up and down, the shot will become very difficult.

3. With little margin for error at impact, it is a good idea to keep your rhythm and tempo as smooth and even paced as possible. If you can avoid sudden lunges or dramatic changes in your swing speed, you will stand a much better chance of staying in control of the shot and clipping the ball neatly off the top of the sand.