Should You Implement These 4 Fundamental Adjustments for Fairway Bunker Setup, According to Data Showing that Most Amateurs Fail to Do So?
Sinking a golf ball in a fairway bunker can strike fear into some players, as these pesky sand traps often cost shots due to a common blunder - a poor setup. Learning how to hit out of a fairway bunker is crucial for any golfer looking to minimize these losses. PGA professional and Golf Monthly Top 50 Coach, Peter Finch, reveals his top tips to master the art of hitting from a fairway bunker.
Peter Finch is a renowned PGA professional with an impressive online presence, sharing free golf lessons with golfers worldwide. With a social following close to one million, Finch has helped golfers of all skill levels play better golf and shoot lower scores.
Avoid the frustration of multiple shots to escape the sand by making simple yet crucial changes to your setup. When faced with a fairway bunker, prioritize playing your way out in one shot.
First, select a club that provides enough loft to clear the bunker wall while still offering a decent distance boost. Sometimes, you may have to use a club that can't reach the green, but shooting twice is better than three times, or worse. In the video below, Finch demonstrates his choice of an 8-iron to offer the perfect balance of height and distance.
Attention to ball position is vital in a fairway bunker. For an 8-iron, place the ball in the middle of your stance, and for longer irons, move it slightly further back to ensure clean contact. A simple trick to perfect your ball position is to stand with your feet together, then take small steps out with both feet. This ensures your ball is centrally positioned.
Before hitting, shuffle your feet into the sand to create a stable base. Grip down the club a little to add control, preventing the club from digging too deeply. Sixty percent of your weight should be on your lead side throughout the swing, and hold the club firmly. By following these setup tips, you'll dramatically improve your ability to play fairway bunker shots, reducing your scores and lowering your handicap.
Fun Fact: Did you know that amateur golfers hit the green from fairway bunkers only 1.4% of the time, on average? Make sure you're not part of that statistic by learning from Peter Finch.
Trivia: A fairway bunker differs from a greenside bunker primarily in its distance from the green, making club selection and ball position crucial for hitting from fairway bunkers.
When learning how to play from a fairway bunker, it's important to choose a club that provides enough loft to clear the bunker wall while still offering a decent distance boost, as demonstrated by PGA professional Peter Finch. Attention to ball position is also vital in a fairway bunker, with the ball being placed in the middle of the stance for an 8-iron and slightly further back for longer irons.
