Gary Player reveals his secrets to elite bunker play

Golf instruction is constantly evolving, but the best advice stands the test of time. In GOLF.com’s new series, Timeless Tips, we highlight some of the greatest advice from teachers and players in the pages of Golf magazine. Today’s review of Gary Player’s Bunker Secrets from the March 1989 issue. For unlimited access to the complete Golf Magazine digital archive, join golf interior Today; you can get a $140 discount for just $39.99 per year.

Gary Player is known for many things – a major champion, a world traveler, an unparalleled storyteller – but one that is sometimes overlooked is that of an elite bunker player. While his game has been consistent throughout his career, his bunker play has often stood out.

This is a foreign concept to most casual players. For most weekend warriors, bunkers are considered scorecard killers and they want to avoid them at all costs.

That’s not the case with Black Knight. Although he may not have aimed for In the sandpit, he certainly won’t be timid once he finds himself stuck in the sand.

This success is attributed to a fearless attitude and technical prowess. While we can’t teach a player to be fearless, we can give you an inside look at his technique.

Check out “Some of the Best Secrets Players Learned from the Sand” below from the March 1989 issue Golf Magazine.

Gary Player’s Bunker Secrets

I am honored that many great players and teachers consider me the best bunker player of all time. I’m too humble to agree, but such a ranking would make me a respected company.

My own list of sand talent includes notable players such as Bobby Locke, Julius Burrows, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Kiki Rodriguez and Seve Ballester Ross. I also consider Jerry Barber, Norman von Nida, and Doug Ford as lesser-known but accomplished masters of sand sculpting.

If I’m one of the greats, it’s for one simple reason: bunker shots have never scared me, and they never will. The key to this kind of bluff is practice.

I’ve practiced and experimented with hundreds of different swings, essentially creating a library in my memory that I can call upon no matter what kind of slug I’m facing. Just as important, my imagination had developed to the point where I believed I could figure out a way out of any cover, no matter how ugly the lie.

I think you get the idea: there are no shortcuts; there are no shortcuts. You have to practice. Start with the basics (outlined below) and then add more difficult shots to your retention skills as you build experience.

basic knowledge

First, there is a club designed for sand traps, so use that. A sand wedge should have a large sole with the leading edge actually higher than the back of the lug. This angle is called “bounce”. Wedges vary in the amount of bounce they have, with softer sand generally having more bounce. The soles slide into the sand, pushing the sand upwards and throwing the ball.

This brings up another key point: the club will not hit the ball except when hitting it from a location other than a bunker (such as in a fairway bunker). The club hits the sand, which moves the ball. If you don’t understand this, you won’t understand all of the advice that follows.

I’ve said before that confidence is important when it comes to playing in the sand. Treat every bunker shot with the feeling that you are about to hit a hole. Boost your confidence by using a basic golf swing, just modify it for specific situations.

settings

In a greenside bunker, take an open stance: aim your feet, knees, hips and shoulders to the left of the target. (Don’t sink your feet too deep, or you’ll restrict leg movement and disrupt your balance.) And open the clubface to make it easier to get into the sand.

An open stance forces you to swing outside the line and hit the ball back. This gives the ball shear spin so it flies from left to right. Compensate for this by aiming to the left of the target. But only a few hours of practice can teach you how far to aim, and the length of your swing depends on the shot at hand.

For short shots, open up your stance and clubface more; this will produce a higher, shorter shot. For long shots, set your body and club closer to square.

swing

While you should use your |basic swing technique, some modifications will be required.

Against a clean lie (when the ball hits the sand), your swing should be shallower, almost U-shaped. Place approximately 60% of your body weight on your left foot and swing the club primarily with your arms.

When the ball is completely buried in the water, make an up-and-down V-shaped swing. Set the clubface square; place 75 percent of your weight on your left foot; cock your wrists early in the backswing and pull the club down with your hands.

Once you’ve mastered these two lenses, you can try them in other situations. For example, a V-shaped swing is helpful for very short sand ball shots; the same motion as “knife-cutting” the ball from a buried lie will also cause the ball to pop up, causing it to hit the ground and stop quickly. The U-shaped swing is great for longer bunker shots when you have to make a fuller motion.

Ball position also helps. You can hit the ball higher by hitting the ball forward from a stance, starting with your hands back and putting more weight on your right foot. Reverse these steps to make a low shot (which will also roll more after landing).

As your experience and confidence grow, you should try it. Try hitting the ball out of a low bunker near the green. Putters may also get a call when facing a steep downhill shot on hard sand.

I object to the breaking up of sand along the greenside. Hitting the ball while trying to bite the ball has a low probability of hitting the ball, and you’re more likely to hit the ball, hit it big, or catch it thin. Don’t do this.

fairway bunker

First, use a club with enough loft to go over the lip; even if you end up missing the green, at least you’ll be out of the trap. Second, hit the ball cleanly; don’t hit the sand. Third, when hitting the wood, focus is on the front of the ball; this encourages a wide strike. Now it’s up to you.

Practice, build confidence on the sand, and your entire game will improve.