Opening Golf Nuggets

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Short Game · Technique

On a long compact bunker shot, drop loft and let it bounce

For a longer bunker shot of around 30 yards, don't reach for the nine iron and wedge you'd use in summer - take a 52 and almost play it like a normal shot. Set up with a left-heel ball position and a neutral shaft rather than leaning in and squeezing, and intentionally let the club bounce so the lie kicks the ball toward the target. It might sound a bit risky, but once you practice it a little it isn't difficult at all.

Channel: Dan Grieve

Watch official source at 18:35

Try it

  1. For a longer, roughly 30-yard shot from compact sand, go to a 52 and almost play it like a normal shot
  2. Play it with a left heel ball position and the shaft neutral - don't lean into it and squeeze
  3. Intentionally let it bounce a bit and let the lie kick it to send it towards the target

Why this context matters

Deliberately the opposite of the squeeze technique - he calls the splash 'wrong for this lie but right for that distance.'