Varying Height and Distance
Using one standard swing—the same length of backswing and follow-through and the same tempo—you can create a surprising variety of bunker shots. The easiest way is simply to use different clubs. Dedicated sand wedges typically have from ten to twelve degrees of bounce built into the soles, enabling them to slide through the sand without digging even when square. But lob, gap and pitching wedges all have at least some bounce, so don't be afraid to use them from the sand. The lower a wedge's loft, of course, the lower and farther the ball will fly, usually with less spin.
A second way to create variations, almost as easy, is by opening and closing the clubface anywhere from square (not open at all) to an extreme of thirty or even forty degrees open. The more open the face, the higher and shorter the shot will fly and the more spin it will have. Experiment to get a feel for how far each shot carries and how much the ball spins to the right on the green.
The third method is to change how you set your wrists on the backswing. Taking the club straight back and cocking the wrists late or hardly at all can be useful out of firm sand or to create a lower shot that may have less spin. Cocking your wrists as soon as possible creates a more vertical takeaway and a steeper angle of attack; this can be good for short shots that have to get up fast and for when the ball is sitting down in the sand. Between those two is the default bunker swing, with a slightly delayed wrist set.
The Faldo Golf Institutes
Chip Koehlke, U.S. Director of Instructional Programs
The curriculum at Faldo Golf Institutes is built around fundamentals. Each site offers schools, private lessons and club-fitting sessions.
Marriott's Grande Vista; Orlando, FL
Marriott's Shadow Ridge; Palm Desert, CA
Seaview Marriott Resort; Galloway Township, NJ
Marco Island Marriott Resort; Marco Island, FL
Brocket Hall Golf Club; Hertfordshire, England
For the U.S. institutes, call 888-463-2536 or visit gofaldo.com. For Brocket Hall, call 011-44/1707-368-786 or visit brocket-hall.co.uk.
Nick Faldo on the Air
Nick Faldo's wit, insights about golf and candid assessments of fellow Tour professionals can be heard on the following ABC golf telecasts:
July 12, Buick Championship (TPC at River Highlands)
July 89, Cialis Western Open (Cog Hill)
July 2223, British Open (Royal Liverpool)
