Darren Steels PGA Professional - The Long Bunker Shot

The Long Bunker Shot

 

Usually, when you have 40 yards or more to the pin, it's a matter of playing a long version of either a runner or one-bounce shot. These can be tricky to gauge, even for pros.

Slice An 8-iron On Long Bunker Shots is another option.

Once you get a feel for it, you'll find yourself relying on this slicing 8-iron to bail you out of the toughest of positions.

The problem is, to get enough distance with a sand wedge, you have to take a fairly big, fairly hard swing while also minimizing the distance you hit behind the ball. Even the best golfers occasionally make the mistake of coming a bit too close to the ball and blading the shot, or of quitting on the downswing and fluffing it entirely.

For these reasons, a secret weapon for long bunker shots is slicing an 8-iron. You can't use it when you're facing a buried lie or a high lip, but in all other cases I'd recommend it over the long explosion.

Take the 8-iron - use the full length of the club. Play the ball well forward, off your left instep, and take a wide, very open stance. You should aim yourself more to the left than on any other shot, about 45 degrees or so. The clubface, like your stance, should be open, and laid back as well.

What you want to do is make a shallow, splashing explosion. You won't have to worry about getting too deep because the ball is well forward in your stance and the club is well open. Still, the idea is to hit at least an inch and a half behind this ball, and that's a lot of sand for a long shot.

The longer shaft and stronger loft of the 8-iron will help you get distance, but you still must give this a hard swing. However, that's what's nice about this shot-you can hit it and you don't have to worry about digging down deep; and you can get all the distance you need without having to hit too close to the ball.

When you hit this shot right, it'll fly on a line several yards left of your target, hit the green still at least ten feet left, and then spin to the right.

It takes some practice, as all sand shots do, but once you get a feel for it, you'll find yourself relying on this slicing 8-iron to bail you out of the toughest of predicaments. And you'll amaze your friends at the same time.