This Week's Golf Lesson...from Jim Kormondy

Jim Kormondy's Lesson Page

PLAYING OUT OF A FAIRWAY BUNKER

Hitting a ball out of a fairway bunker is very much different than hitting out of a greenside bunker. During a fairway shot, you want to hit the ball first to get as much distance as possible. The club that you use out of a fairway bunker will depend on two things. First, you must figure how much loft will be required to clear the lip of the bunker. Secondly, you must choose which club will be needed to reach the green. Sometimes this second factor will not come into play because the club with the necessary loft to will not get you to the green. Also, if you have a poor lie in the bunker, you may be restricted to chipping the ball out onto the fairway.

But, if you have a good lie and plenty of clearance from the lip, you can take a fairly normal swing at the ball with just a few adjustments. Be sure you have solid footing. If you need to work your feet into the sand, choke down on the club the same distance as you worked your feet into the sand. Aim slightly to the left of your target and open your clubface slightly to the right. This will help to keep the clubface from digging into the sand. Use one more club than you would from the fairway.

Take your normal swing, making sure to sweep the ball out of the sand. Do not try to lift the ball out. It is important to hit the ball before the sand. When you hit it correctly, the ball will take off just like it was sitting on the fairway.