I’d done a search which provided an array of subjects. If I have skipped across something, my apologies. Though I do have a few questions in regard to a weakness of my game and that is playing the long fairway bunker shot.

How do you setup for this shot? What are the aims of contact and other areas to hit a successful shot?

It’s something I really want to work on.

Yep. damn hard shot. Even Paz today stuffed one up.

I try to make the feet flat & secure rather than dig them in. Aim for clean contact and hope for the best. LOL…..Distance control is the tricky bit.

If you live near the beach, it has to be the best place to practice long range bunker shots as you can take your pick of the lies that you may get at different golf courses. Failing this, practice hitting balls from a divot or off hardpan. Depending on the lie and lip, always take one extra club. If the bunker is firm from say 50 yards out or more, the golfing gods have been kind to you. Distance control comes with much practice from varied bunker lies. There is no other way.

Heres a good vid that helped me get my head around fairway bunker shots. S.Clement on fairway bunker shots

Hope it helps

First question I would ask Bradles is what is your level of play?

If you are a high handicapper of say 10 or above, getting it out is the most important thing.

If you are playing off single figures, I guess you want it beside or on the green

Low single figures, scratch or better and you’re looking to use the surface to help you control the ball.

That said, the first question you should always ask yourself, is ‘What does a good shot look like from here?’

The answer might be to take your medicine and go sideways in some instances!

The ‘bunkers’ you get on newer courses are nothing like the ones on older established courses. If you go in a fairway bunker at Royal County Down for instance, I don’t care if you’re Seve, you’re not coming out of it with anything less than a wedge!!!

I hit off around 10-15. I am confident in my ability in most situations and wouldn’t resist attacking from such a position. As you say its based on the situation, but in a general sense, say I’m trapped with 120m-140m to go, shallow bunker, I’d like to have the confidence and understanding to attempt the great shot.

The shallow fairway bunker shot is one of my favourites. Recently did one from 140m from the pin, and put it about 5m behind the pin with a 7 iron.

Assuming the lie isn’t too fluffy and the ball is sitting reasonably on top of the sand rather than plugged, the most important thing is to hit the ball first then hit the sand. This is actually what you are meant to do on the fairway too to take a good divot. All I do these days is just hit a standard shot. However before I used to hit it with the ball SLIGHTLY more back in my stance in order to ensure that I wouldn’t catch the sand first (ball will come out a bit lower and longer then). One other key thing is that it should go too much into the sand after the ball contact, important if you are used to taking a deep divot.

Summary: Hit the ball with a standard swing ball first, shallow divot and the ball will come out long and straight.

Back a tad and close the face a little allows for a clean hit and the closed face takes care of the lesser amount of face roll. Try not to make too big of a pivot or you feet sink in fluffy sand.

gripping very slightly down the club will shorten it and help you pick the ball a little cleaner as well.

As with most shots, the best way to get better at it is practice ;)

As with most shots, the best way to get better at it is practice ;)

Thank you to those who provided advice and contributed. On the above I look forward to it. Should be fun.

Heres a good vid that helped me get my head around fairway bunker shots. S.Clement on fairway bunker shots

Hope it helps

MrConsistency is a bit obsessed with iseekgolf…

http://www.golflink.com.au/HandicapHistory.aspx?golflink_no=0150565

This video is pretty good. Don’t forget his suggestion of taking one extra club.

Article coming on this subject too. Prob Febs effort.