Lesson Notes: Escaping Fairway Bunkers
The Goal: To achieve clean, ball-first contact in fairway bunkers to maintain distance and trajectory, avoiding the “splash” technique used in greenside bunkers.
1. Assessment and Club Choice
- Check the lip: Your primary goal is to clear the bunker. Choose a club with enough loft to get over the lip safely.
- Distance check: Usually, you are looking for 100-150 yards. An iron is typically the best choice for these shots.
2. Critical Setup Adjustments
- Dig In: Wiggle your feet into the sand for a stable base, but remember this makes you “shorter,” so you must choke down on the grip to compensate.
- Ball Position: Keep the ball in a middle position. Avoid placing it too far forward, as that makes it harder to catch cleanly.
- Quiet Lower Body: Minimize leg movement and “swing with your arms” to prevent your weight from shifting too much, which can cause fat shots.
3. The “Thin it to Win it” Drill
- In practice, try to “thin” the ball by catching it right in the equator.
- Hover the club slightly above the sand at address to encourage a shallower entry point.
- The goal is to take as little sand as possible. If you hear a “thump” or see a big splash, you’ve hit it too heavy for a fairway shot.
FAQ
Q: Why shouldn’t I hit the sand first like a regular bunker shot?
A: Hitting the sand first (the splash technique) kills the ball’s momentum. In a fairway bunker, you need maximum distance, which requires hitting the ball first and the sand second (or not at all).
Q: What should I do if the bunker lip is very high?
A: Always prioritize getting out. If the lip is high, take a more lofted club (like a wedge) even if it won’t reach the green. It’s better to be back on the fairway than to hit the lip and stay in the sand.
