Don't let fairway bunkers add frustrating strokes to your scorecard.
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Hitting any type of sand can be tricky, but doing so from a fairway bunker can be an extra challenge for many novice golfers.
With so many different distances, depths, and types of sand to consider, if you don't have the right setup and strategy, you can watch your scores balloon quickly.
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Do this to get more success from the fairway bunkers
Being a good fairway bunker player can help you avoid unnecessary shots on the hole, and, by following these 10 tips, you'll be on your way to lower scores in no time.
1. Definition of fairway bunker
A fairway bunker is an area filled with sand that sits near the fairway rather than near the green. It can be tricky to escape, as most beginners lack the ability to make first contact with the ball, rather than first contact with the sand (as is the case with greenside traps).
2. Contact the ball first
As mentioned above, it is important to make contact with the ball first (again then sand) when hitting from a fairway bunker. Sometimes, players sometimes think they can try to pick up the ball cleanly, meaning they don't pick up the sand, but this can result in smaller and higher shots that may not go high enough over the lip of the bunker.
3. Drive your chosen club to avoid the lip
Your number 1 priority is to clear the lip of the clubhouse and get the ball back into play — so remember: the higher the lip, the more club loft you need.
You should also consider your proximity to the mouth when choosing your club. The closer you get to the lip, the faster you need to get the ball in the air to get back into play – meaning you'll need to use a higher club. When in doubt, I always suggest using a club with a higher loft, just to make sure you avoid the fairway bunker on the first shot.
4. Always finish moving forward
When you finish your swing, make sure all the weight is on your front foot – and avoid any temptation to lift. Being in a limited position where you can't hold your finish with your normal pivot on your back foot (like you would with a full swing), is exactly the same when you're in a fairway bunker.
Don't let the lip trick you into trying to help the ball rise by bending or leaning.
5. Use the correct ball position
As with all golf shots, your ball position is really important – perhaps even more so if you're in a fairway bunker – but it can vary slightly from player to player.
Your ball position should be centered and slightly back in your stance, which will help you hit the ball first again then sand. If it's really hard to make first contact with the sand, I'd just suggest moving your ball back more.
6. Reduce your posture
To help eliminate side-to-side body movement, always reduce your stance when hitting from a fairway bunker. This will also reduce the chance of the club hitting the sand first.
If you tend to take a lot of sand, I suggest you reduce your stance even more. If you tend to hold the ball too high or too narrow, then using a smaller stance is better. There's a lot of customization when it comes to bunker play, so play with what's best for whatever your bad habits are.
By putting your back foot into the sand (so that your little toe is higher than your big toe), you will help eliminate more side to side – which can cause you to burn and make contact with the sand before the ball.
Consolidating this foot can also help keep your body higher on the target side of the ball, allowing you to make a cleaner impact.
8. Try a high hybrid
If you happen to carry a high hybrid in your bag (like a 6- or 5-hybrid), this can be the key to increasing distance while clearing the lip of the bunker – as long as you're not close to the lip. .
9. Find a lie
Depending on your lie in the fairway bunker, you may need to play more cautiously than aggressively.
For example, if your ball is sitting low in the sand or the lip is too high, take your tee, play the ball forward (as you would on a green) and spray the ball into the fairway. It's not fair, but that's a very smart game to save yourself the strokes.
10. Practice these types of shots
It can be tricky to make fairway bunker shots, but to be the perfect golfer, it is very important. This will help you decide which clubs you prefer in these situations, as well as where you prefer the ball to be placed.
Another benefit of practicing from fairway bunkers is that it makes you learn the ball contact first. This is the key to improving your hitting in all areas of the game, understanding how you touch the ball and then the ground.
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