Hitting bunker shots?
 

Hi there fellow hitters. How does a "pure" hitter play the bunker shot? Is it still a hitting motion? If you can hit out of a bunker what adjustments to setup ball position etc are required to hit a soft high shot, a longer rolling shot? Any videos you can recommend that show this?
Antz

Why not?
 

Let the leading edge enter the sand behind the ball and push the clubhead gliding through the sand with the bounce. Yes. open the clubface more and hit less sand. Less open with more sand and power.

Thanks bts. I will jump in a bunker and experiment. Recently I have started using a hitting pattern for all my shots with great improvement in accuracy and consistency... except in the bunker I feel I have to swing with a lot of wrist cock.

With the hitting motion in the bunkyer, would you use angle hinge or vertical hinge? (I guess I can try both and see what I get :))
Antz

I am a hitter!!!

For my standard bunker shots I use acquired motion with an angled hinge.....making sure to hit behind the ball. For a higher spin rate you can use vertical hinge, but I think you'll be surprised by how much spin and how many shots you can get with an angled hinge just by changing the clubface at address.

Sorting Through the Golf Nut's Catalog.

B-Ray

I think less wrist cock in the bunker is great. You can stay on the Turned Shoulder Plane and can still take a very shallow cut of sand. I have the ball moved a couple inches in front of the left shoulder with a little axis tilt and I take a shallow cut of sand about 4 inches behind. Additionally, I think adjusted address makes the shot a lot easier, certainly for the hitter, possibly even for the swinger.

Hitting is more for control.
 

You bet. If not for a demo purpose in teaching (swinging) and lack of power (5'6", 115lbs), I used to do "hitting" exclusively for my shots, from putt to drive. And it works great.It depends on the situation at hand. Some might need more. I would do experiments to decide.Generally angle hinge with opened clubface and forward ball position works fine. I sometimes use Veritical hinge for shots demanding extra height, like high bank and tight pin.

I agree. Beside, it's all about trusting the clubface to do the work while you keeping sliding the clubhead through the sand.

For me, no change in the hitting motion. Still active right triceps power.

For shots in bunkers right around the green, for me:

I have found the key to be opening and keeping the clubface wide open. This is so the bounce will enter the sand first, as opposed to the leading edge digging. I always have to be careful to open the face by turning the grip of the golf club then applying my hands.

I like to use vertical hinging. I like the look of no "roll". Also offers the highest shot compared to other options.

I like to try for same height, just vary lag pressure for distance control (don't try to vary swing length or distance hit behind ball) Specifically vary distance amount ball travels in the air. Because the sand passes the ball (when using open club face) a degree of spin will be imparted on the ball by the passing sand. I have found that the roll out (once ball lands) doesn't vary too much.

In a "shortsided" situation, I have found it difficult to hit it high with tremendous spin. I have also found it difficult to drastically reduce lag pressure and not have it get only halfway out into bunkerside rough. When I think properly I change from 56 degree to 60 degree and make sure I get it out. I'm might strart tring to hit closer to the ball, thus imparting more spin (or I might try not to be an idiot and think I'm good enough to go at the pin).
In his short game book, Pelz does mention that this is one situation where he sees the wrists of top players break down, to add more zip, to add more spin. I'll buy that. No way could I personally do that.
See Yoda VJ short game video where they, too leave the option open, but only for rare, rare, rare, cases.

Bunker 10 - 30 yards from green - If pin is closer to front, I try to execute normal open face shot (might go with angled hinging). MAX Lag Pressure. Make sure I get it to the green. Height and spin will not allow it to go over green.

Pin closer to back - Normal shot with sand wedge (face not open). Natural angled hinging. Hit behind the ball. Leading edge enters first (must drive or there will be massive slow down). Try to land anywhere from front edge to middle. Shot will have no spin as sand is pushing ball. Roll toward the pin.
Reason for the change is I don't think open face with spin will get all the way back to the hole.

See most excellent video in gallery " Yoda and VJ talk short game" (or something like that).

Any help with downhill bunker shots would be appreciated.