Thursday, May 15, 2008
Ritter Tips - Bunker

GP swing coach Jeff Ritter knows a thing or two. In the first of a new series of swing tips JR gives advice on getting out of bunkers.  Take it away Jeff...

Bunker’s 

Easy as 1-2-3

By Jeff Ritter

Bounce

The first thing you need for good bunker play is “bounce.” Bounce is simply setting the clubface in a position to where it will enter and exit the sand with a consistent “splashing effect” versus a “digging effect.” To achieve bounce, open the clubface at address so that the scoring lines would extend just outside of your front foot (foot closer to the target). Although a sand wedge is you best play for most shots, any club with an open face creates bounce. It is not uncommon to try to play long bunker shots with a pitching wedge as long as the face is open.

Consistent Point of Entry

A bunker shot that comes out high, soft and spinning usually has a point of contact 1-2 inches behind the ball. Play your ball a little forward of center to ensure that you contact the sand first. To fine tune your impact, draw a line (2-3 feet long) in the sand perpendicular to your target line at your desired point of contact. Practice striking the line consistently. Hits ahead or behind would indicate less than quality shots.

Speed

Great bunker shots are played with a brisk, upbeat tempo. Practice striking the sand with some authority, as to throw the sand out of the bunker and onto the green. Once you experience bounce, coupled with speed, you will know what it feels like to be a master of the sand just like the guys and girls on tour.




For more on Ritter's tips check out jeffrittergolf.com




5/15/2008 9:55:48 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 

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