One of the best lessons I have ever had. Chris cuts it down to the basics and doesn't make us maneuver in unnatural positions. I tried the technique out yesterday when I was in far too many bunkers, and it worked better than any other method I had ever tried. Thanks a million.
This is without doubt the clearest explanation of simple bunker technique for the average player trying to extract their ball from the bunker. Brilliantly taught.
Thanks a lot, I can't wait to try level 1. Today I play decent golf apart from the f-k bunkers. Normally I have three shots in each bunker (I start with two fat and then the adrenaline is pumped up and I thin the third one, which travels like a projectile out of the bunker and way over the green). To get out of the bunker with just one shot would be great 🙂
Chris, I saved your "Back To Basics 3/5" from 4 years ago. This new video on bunker play Level 1 through Level 3 is even more advanced. My "Confidence" in my bunker play in recent years has dropped, because I just don't "PRACTICE" like I used to! I always used to get out in 1-Shot! Not now. The old adage "You get out of your game what you put in" is so true. Now that the warm weather has arrived, I will get back at it. Thanks. 👍😎
Most of us play courses where underneath a quarter inch of sand you find impenetrable hard pan clay. Try to blast that ball out of the trap and the bottom of the sand wedge hits the hard pan, bounces up a bit, and the clubface hits the ball squarely and propels it 30 yards over the far side of the green.
On hard pan clay (in Oklahoma we have hard red clay dirt), I just played it like a chip shot or if the bunker lip is not grassy, I just use my putter! ⛳️
Hi Chris, this is the ONE !!! Trust me I've got that first one down pat!! I'm ALWAYS SHORT OF THE FLAG. AH, the third one is what I've needed for years !! Thank you so much MY BROTHA !!
Really nice. Thanks! Sometimes the sand in the bunkers is so hard and wet it puts you off. And honestly I think the psychology of the bunker shot is what makes it seem so hard.
@@ChrisRyanGolf took me a while ... embarassingly long while actually - to realise that really opening the clubface in hard sand is a recipe for disaster. More disaster I had, the more I tried to open it even more. Discovered by accident and frustration last year, that just using a sandiron and playing a normal stroke was generally all that was needed. Excellent tips - thank you
The hardest part about bunkers is finding an actual bunker to practice out of. This was a great video Chris. Another tip Jack used to say was imagine a foot print and your ball is towards the front of the foot print, try to erase that foot print with the wedge and throw that sand onto the green. It gives a nice visual of how early your club enters the sand.
Thanks for the lesson. How would you play from the sand where you’re on a bad lie, with the ball above your feet, below your feet, uphill, downhill, etc. It’s not that often that we end up in the middle flat part of the bunker, unless we’re quite lucky! Cheers, Matt
Thank you for this awesome matter of fact video. I have always struggled out of bunkers and your simple explanation did wonders. I have actually used all of your options now that I can get out easily. Thank you again fo changing my game!
As a beginner golfer who just started golfing last summer. I found that I have more success using hybrids out of bunkers. As I struggle to hit my high lifted wedges, without meating them. The hybrids seem to help me,as I can slow down my swing and still have decent power. Also the larger heavier club head of the hybrids help me contact the ball better. They aren't ideal for all bunkers, but hybrids work great with many of them.
Wow, what awesome advice Chris! Thank you for delivering your message in such a simple and to the point way, without any waffle! It's an absolute pleasure watching and learning from your videos!!! Greetings from South Africa
This is great and all, except for those of us that play courses that have bunker sand that is colder and harder than my ex-girlfriend's heart...I mean cement.
It doesn’t help that few ranges/courses even have a practice bunker. You almost have to sneak in a few swings from a bunker when playing a round at a time where the foursome behind you isn’t breathing down your neck. Early bird back nine comes to mind.
The only real difference between bunker shots and fairway shots is that you aren't driving the ball into the ground to pinch / compress it. Most armatures don't do this anyway and have more of a sweeping swing which works fine out of bunkers as well. The only time you should "dig" the ball out of the sand is if it's really buried and that only happens in soft sand which most cheap courses don't have, just a thin later on top of dirt (if that)
This is one of the best instructional videos I have every watched. Chris is very good at explaining fundamental principles so one knows how slight changes change the ball flight. Brilliant!
He only mentions using the chest for shot no3 but its the key for most club golfers doing shot no1! watch ue uses his chest a lot and early. Also only use a sand iron in good/fluffy bunkers in shallow / hard sand always use a 60deg as a lot less bounce.
Hi Chris, that sand looked somewhat wet and compacted and firm, do all these principals remain the same when playing from soft fluffy sand or do you make other adjustments?
What I´ve heard... "use less bounce in wet or firm sand since high bounce may cause the club to bounce off the compact sand and topping the ball. Use more bounce in fluffy sand to make the club ride on the sand and push up the sand and the ball." As he said in this video, bounce is built into the club but can also be created by opening up the face. (I saw a video where a guy used a 4 iron, massively opened, make a 10 meter bunker shot. He did it to prove a point.)
Well done Chris! Since I was having trouble with the bunker shots, I began studying different techniques. I like how you played the 3 varieties. On the longer bunker shots where the pin is back, I have gone to the 9 iron or even the PW then you don't have to swing so hard if you used a SW. I'm archiving this video for future viewing.
It’s all lovely when there is nice powdery dry river sand in the bunker. The moment it gets all wet and all it becomes like cement….and an average golfer will most definitely duff the ball….
Looks very easy when you sat up on the sand like that. But when you are in a shoe sized hole left by some idiot who is too lazy to rake the bunker then your best option is a four step process: 1. Find said idiot. 2. Hit him really hard with your club of choice. 3. Go and have a drink at the 19th. 4. Rinse and repeat tomorrow, making a stronger effort to stay out of the bunkers.
Option 1 well explained , great imagination but less of the leg action than demonstrated? Option 3 is brilliant - stops player from trying to hit the 56 degree longer. Option 2 is scary! Flip the wrist? I use my 60degree which has a mile of bounce and it suits my big shot image because I got 3 wedges in the UnderArmour bag. The focus on putting the sand on the green? I like it and don't think I've heard that before. I am off to the practice green to try it.
Exactly, I'm terrified of hitting a low tracer bullet 100 yards past the green when the bunker is not properly maintained / has small amount of firm sand.
What wedge loft and bounce are you using there in the sand pro?And how many inches from behind the will you drop the wedge to slide through in relation to distance you want?
Is the bottom of the swing in a bunker flat? From the time the club enters the sand, I don't know what the path of the club head should be. Should it start upward, dig in further, or go flat for a foot or so?
You can't open the clubface much, or the leading edge will bounce into the ball, and it'll be too low to get out unless there's no lip on the bunker. It has to be played more like a chip shot & you can't swing as hard. It's definitely harder for me than a normal bunker shot.
For those of you older players that are in the best condition. A bunker shot is nothing more than a bad golf shot that you’ve hit fat. Maintain 50/50 weight on both feet and swing and splash it out.
Great lesson! One question: for the 1st and 2nd techniques, should I aim at 2 inches behind the ball? (I assume I shall aim at the ball for the 3rd). Thanks!
Chris, if the ball was in the grass and you had to go over that bunker with a close pin, would level 2 be the shot, hitting slightly behind the ball, or is level 2 just for sand play? Thank you.
I noticed that for all 3 shots, you're in a bunker with not a lot of sand, and you really don't have to dig your feet in to play the shots. With deeper sand, you have to dig your feet in for stability, which increases the margin for error, especially hitting it fat if you don't open the clubface wide. Digging in also puts you lower than the ball, which should make you hit behind the ball automatically as you would if you were in the fairway with your feet lower than the ball. So, given that, the club should hit the sand behind the ball as with a normal fat fairway shot. Could you still align your body more square & not open the clubface as wide, or would the leading edge dig in & not get thru the sand? Also, when you open the clubface, do you open it before you take your grip or just open it by cupping your wrist on the downswing? A lot of questions I know, so thanks in advance.
"I noticed that for all 3 shots, you're in a bunker with not a lot of sand, and you really don't have to dig your feet in to play the shots. " no, but he had to waddle back and forth like a clown... You never have to dig your feet in to play a shot. The club, that's a different story. But you, giving advice to a guy giving advice on a YT channel? That doesn't have to be done either.
@touristguy87 Try hitting a bunker shot with soft sand without digging your feet in. I guarantee you'll slip & lose your balance, which is obviously the last thing you want on any shot, much less in a bunker. Plus, if you dig into the sand, it puts your feet lower than the ball, which will automatically cause you to hit behind the ball, which is what you want. If you're in a bunker like the one in the video, which is more like a fairway bunker, you don't want to hit the sand as much because the leading edge of the clubface will bounce into the ball, but you still have to wiggle slightly into the sand just to keep from slipping.
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One of the best lessons I have ever had. Chris cuts it down to the basics and doesn't make us maneuver in unnatural positions. I tried the technique out yesterday when I was in far too many bunkers, and it worked better than any other method I had ever tried. Thanks a million.
This is without doubt the clearest explanation of simple bunker technique for the average player trying to extract their ball from the bunker. Brilliantly taught.
Thanks a lot, I can't wait to try level 1.
Today I play decent golf apart from the f-k bunkers. Normally I have three shots in each bunker (I start with two fat and then the adrenaline is pumped up and I thin the third one, which travels like a projectile out of the bunker and way over the green). To get out of the bunker with just one shot would be great 🙂
Chris, I saved your "Back To Basics 3/5" from 4 years ago. This new video on bunker play Level 1 through Level 3 is even more advanced. My "Confidence" in my bunker play in recent years has dropped, because I just don't "PRACTICE" like I used to! I always used to get out in 1-Shot! Not now. The old adage "You get out of your game what you put in" is so true. Now that the warm weather has arrived, I will get back at it. Thanks. 👍😎
Most of us play courses where underneath a quarter inch of sand you find impenetrable hard pan clay. Try to blast that ball out of the trap and the bottom of the sand wedge hits the hard pan, bounces up a bit, and the clubface hits the ball squarely and propels it 30 yards over the far side of the green.
On hard pan clay (in Oklahoma we have hard red clay dirt), I just played it like a chip shot or if the bunker lip is not grassy, I just use my putter! ⛳️
Keep an open stance
Open up the club head
Aim an inch behind the ball
Swing all the way through with tempo
Love the ducks!
The long bunker shot is the one I have never seen shown before. Thx
Hi Chris, this is the ONE !!! Trust me I've got that first one down pat!! I'm ALWAYS SHORT OF THE FLAG. AH, the third one is what I've needed for years !! Thank you so much MY BROTHA !!
Really nice. Thanks! Sometimes the sand in the bunkers is so hard and wet it puts you off. And honestly I think the psychology of the bunker shot is what makes it seem so hard.
Yeah can often be the case, that first option is good from hard sand
"...ewww, icky!"
@@ChrisRyanGolf took me a while ... embarassingly long while actually - to realise that really opening the clubface in hard sand is a recipe for disaster. More disaster I had, the more I tried to open it even more. Discovered by accident and frustration last year, that just using a sandiron and playing a normal stroke was generally all that was needed. Excellent tips - thank you
The hardest part about bunkers is finding an actual bunker to practice out of. This was a great video Chris. Another tip Jack used to say was imagine a foot print and your ball is towards the front of the foot print, try to erase that foot print with the wedge and throw that sand onto the green. It gives a nice visual of how early your club enters the sand.
my course has a practice green beside the putting green, comes in handy for practising flop shots and bunker shots for sure
Our park district has a learning center with a practice green with bunkers and a chip & putt 9 hole par 3 course.
Great stuff Chris. Probably the best bunker instruction on TH-cam.Well done.
Thanks Nick
Thanks for the lesson.
How would you play from the sand where you’re on a bad lie, with the ball above your feet, below your feet, uphill, downhill, etc.
It’s not that often that we end up in the middle flat part of the bunker, unless we’re quite lucky!
Cheers, Matt
Thank you for this awesome matter of fact video. I have always struggled out of bunkers and your simple explanation did wonders. I have actually used all of your options now that I can get out easily. Thank you again fo changing my game!
Very nice ! these first and two are the ones that we can use
His head level is what i watch. Stays at almost the exact same height, start to finish. So his posture is great throughout.
I think this is the best bunker video I have seen on the Internet.
Brilliant Chris!
Thank you 😊
Thanks Chris appreciate that 🙏🏻
As a beginner golfer who just started golfing last summer. I found that I have more success using hybrids out of bunkers. As I struggle to hit my high lifted wedges, without meating them.
The hybrids seem to help me,as I can slow down my swing and still have decent power. Also the larger heavier club head of the hybrids help me contact the ball better.
They aren't ideal for all bunkers, but hybrids work great with many of them.
The strategy is not to hit the ball but the sand
Wow, what awesome advice Chris! Thank you for delivering your message in such a simple and to the point way, without any waffle! It's an absolute pleasure watching and learning from your videos!!! Greetings from South Africa
So smooooooth, always worth watching. Ace Instructor.
By far the clearest guidance I've seen on hitting bunker shots. Can't wait to try it on the course this afternoon!
Thanks
great lesson and tips- thanks so much- liked idea of longer iron for distance from bunker.
Great video! Any advice/tips for those of us who play bunkers that typically have thin and/or hard packed sand?
Quack! Nice way to describe it... getting the sand out of the bunker rather than think about the ball
Thanks for a clear and De-mystified tuition.. Really appreciated :-) Greetings from Denmark.
Best bunker video I've seen. Thank you.
I’ve been trying to do 2 , 1 way more for me glad I watched as always
Very helpful. A lot of insightful comments about hands and arms actions depending on what is needed
That was very well explained and demonstrated. Makes a lot of sense. Thanks.
Thanks, Chris! I've been struggling lately out of bunkers. This is great. Going to start simple and go with Option 1 as much as possible.
This is just what I needed! Where I play have some super high bunker or super long bunker lol.
This is great and all, except for those of us that play courses that have bunker sand that is colder and harder than my ex-girlfriend's heart...I mean cement.
It doesn’t help that few ranges/courses even have a practice bunker. You almost have to sneak in a few swings from a bunker when playing a round at a time where the foursome behind you isn’t breathing down your neck. Early bird back nine comes to mind.
Agree with this. Those bunkers are like crap shoots.
Truth
Sometimes I use a putter if the bunker lip allows it.
Hard Bunker, Treat it like a short pitch, strike ball and sand simultaneous if you can.
Good explanation of the different type of bunker set ups
The only real difference between bunker shots and fairway shots is that you aren't driving the ball into the ground to pinch / compress it. Most armatures don't do this anyway and have more of a sweeping swing which works fine out of bunkers as well. The only time you should "dig" the ball out of the sand is if it's really buried and that only happens in soft sand which most cheap courses don't have, just a thin later on top of dirt (if that)
This is one of the best instructional videos I have every watched. Chris is very good at explaining fundamental principles so one knows how slight changes change the ball flight. Brilliant!
He only mentions using the chest for shot no3 but its the key for most club golfers doing shot no1! watch ue uses his chest a lot and early. Also only use a sand iron in good/fluffy bunkers in shallow / hard sand always use a 60deg as a lot less bounce.
Great lesson on hitting bunker shots! How would hit the ball out of a bunker where the sand is wet and hard?
Hi Chris, that sand looked somewhat wet and compacted and firm, do all these principals remain the same when playing from soft fluffy sand or do you make other adjustments?
What I´ve heard... "use less bounce in wet or firm sand since high bounce may cause the club to bounce off the compact sand and topping the ball. Use more bounce in fluffy sand to make the club ride on the sand and push up the sand and the ball."
As he said in this video, bounce is built into the club but can also be created by opening up the face. (I saw a video where a guy used a 4 iron, massively opened, make a 10 meter bunker shot. He did it to prove a point.)
Well done Chris! Since I was having trouble with the bunker shots, I began studying different techniques. I like how you played the 3 varieties. On the longer bunker shots where the pin is back, I have gone to the 9 iron or even the PW then you don't have to swing so hard if you used a SW. I'm archiving this video for future viewing.
Thanks John and sounds like you have worked it out pretty well, nice to have options when in the sand 🙏🏻
It’s all lovely when there is nice powdery dry river sand in the bunker. The moment it gets all wet and all it becomes like cement….and an average golfer will most definitely duff the ball….
thank you. clear guidance. now -practice!
Hi Chris, a Good Video. Please make some more slow motion Videos so we Can See better the differences in the hand position. Succes
Hi Chris, thank you. great video. Will the bounce (and not leading edge) to be used in all three shots? Thank you
Good techniques for when ducks are in the bunker! Do I make any adjustments for geese?
Great video. You make it look so easy.
Nice vid just the camera change in the last swing was frustrating, never got to see the club going through and away.
I have been watching many of your videos. They have helped me immensely. Thank you, you are an excellent teacher, best ever.
Thanks Ed appreciate that 🙏🏻
Great video CR! this is where i struggle a little bit. Do you have bunker videos on firmer sand bunker? This will help a lot. Thanks!!
Looks very easy when you sat up on the sand like that. But when you are in a shoe sized hole left by some idiot who is too lazy to rake the bunker then your best option is a four step process:
1. Find said idiot.
2. Hit him really hard with your club of choice.
3. Go and have a drink at the 19th.
4. Rinse and repeat tomorrow, making a stronger effort to stay out of the bunkers.
Great video. Any advice or video on playing out of different sand - wet, fluffy, hard, soft, etc?
Bunker play made easy. Thank you
My pleasure, thanks Ed
Outstanding Chris🔥
Great videos Chris! Can I ask where I can find that jumper your wearing ? Cheers
Option 1 well explained , great imagination but less of the leg action than demonstrated? Option 3 is brilliant - stops player from trying to hit the 56 degree longer. Option 2 is scary! Flip the wrist? I use my 60degree which has a mile of bounce and it suits my big shot image because I got 3 wedges in the UnderArmour bag.
The focus on putting the sand on the green? I like it and don't think I've heard that before. I am off to the practice green to try it.
What about plugged balls, middle of trap and up against the front lip? Those are fun but difficult
the ducks!
also, I really like that jumper.
Well done, easy to follow, logical as I tend to make my sand technique too complicated. Thanks
Very useful, thanks! How do you adapt these advices in regards to the state of the bunker (dry vs. heavily soaked)? Thanks again.
Exactly, I'm terrified of hitting a low tracer bullet 100 yards past the green when the bunker is not properly maintained / has small amount of firm sand.
thanks for the great lesson! New subscriber here and looking forward to more!
This will help my daughter’s long bunker shot
Great teaching! Thank you!
Great stuff,will try this tomorrow,thanks
Thanks Nick
Very didactic video about different bunker shots, many thanks!
Thanks Miguel 🙏🏻
Txs, very useful explanation.
Excellent presentation!
love the ducks walking in the bunker
What wedge loft and bounce are you using there in the sand pro?And how many inches from behind the will you drop the wedge to slide through in relation to distance you want?
The only part I cant figure out to do the first shot is how to get the ducks in the bunker? Do you keep them in your bag?
Is the bottom of the swing in a bunker flat? From the time the club enters the sand, I don't know what the path of the club head should be. Should it start upward, dig in further, or go flat for a foot or so?
would much appreciate a lesson on getting out of wet, compact sand.
You can't open the clubface much, or the leading edge will bounce into the ball, and it'll be too low to get out unless there's no lip on the bunker. It has to be played more like a chip shot & you can't swing as hard. It's definitely harder for me than a normal bunker shot.
@@mikerodrick2430 thanks for the tip!
Pick the ball up and remove it from the trap. Add one stroke to you score.😩 Or what Mike said.
@Richard Johnson A playing partner of mine does that but doesn't add the stroke. He's lousy out of bunkers, so he just doesn't play them.
@@smilingeyes72 Welcome.
Very useful tips. Thanks.
Love the ducks in the background!
For those of you older players that are in the best condition. A bunker shot is nothing more than a bad golf shot that you’ve hit fat. Maintain 50/50 weight on both feet and swing and splash it out.
Good advice! Hope I can remember. Thanks
Thanks Mike 🙏🏻
Many of the bunkers I play out of dont have much soft sand. Very wet. Many times i blade the ball out due to tough time getting club under the sand.
Great lesson! One question: for the 1st and 2nd techniques, should I aim at 2 inches behind the ball? (I assume I shall aim at the ball for the 3rd). Thanks!
Yes that would be a good guide. You can actually be a little further back than that and get a decent result, but aiming for 2 would be perfect
Love it big fella 😊
What would you change if hitting out of hard sand? Some of the bunkers on my course have soft and and compact sand depending on the sun.
Great instruction!
Great video Chris as always, plus no pressure on you with a gallery of two ducks :)
His pet mallards
Loving the content cheers
You’re the man! Thanks I definitely needed this 👍🏻
Thanks Chad 🙏🏻
Good stuff... however, in your first id tag, it might be worth noting that professional (as in PGA professional) has just the one f...
Those ducks are like, yup, number 1 works for me
Chris, if the ball was in the grass and you had to go over that bunker with a close pin, would level 2 be the shot, hitting slightly behind the ball, or is level 2 just for sand play? Thank you.
I wish you have it in slow motion and show where in the back of the ball is your target!
Yeah yeah nice tips but can we talk about, how chill the ducks in the background are? ^^
Just ducky ! Thanks
Chris you're all pro man
Thanks 🙏🏻
What do you typically shoot, Chris?
Always informative, thanks Chris!
Btw, who is clothing sponsor, am unfamiliar with that logo?
Looks like Lyle and Scott. I’m looking for that top he’s wearing . 😂
supergood video! 👍
Good point re Sand
I noticed that for all 3 shots, you're in a bunker with not a lot of sand, and you really don't have to dig your feet in to play the shots. With deeper sand, you have to dig your feet in for stability, which increases the margin for error, especially hitting it fat if you don't open the clubface wide. Digging in also puts you lower than the ball, which should make you hit behind the ball automatically as you would if you were in the fairway with your feet lower than the ball. So, given that, the club should hit the sand behind the ball as with a normal fat fairway shot. Could you still align your body more square & not open the clubface as wide, or would the leading edge dig in & not get thru the sand? Also, when you open the clubface, do you open it before you take your grip or just open it by cupping your wrist on the downswing? A lot of questions I know, so thanks in advance.
"I noticed that for all 3 shots, you're in a bunker with not a lot of sand, and you really don't have to dig your feet in to play the shots. "
no, but he had to waddle back and forth like a clown...
You never have to dig your feet in to play a shot.
The club, that's a different story.
But you, giving advice to a guy giving advice on a YT channel? That doesn't have to be done either.
@touristguy87 Try hitting a bunker shot with soft sand without digging your feet in. I guarantee you'll slip & lose your balance, which is obviously the last thing you want on any shot, much less in a bunker. Plus, if you dig into the sand, it puts your feet lower than the ball, which will automatically cause you to hit behind the ball, which is what you want. If you're in a bunker like the one in the video, which is more like a fairway bunker, you don't want to hit the sand as much because the leading edge of the clubface will bounce into the ball, but you still have to wiggle slightly into the sand just to keep from slipping.
@@mikerodrick2430 ....eh, your guarantees aren't worth the electricity required to put them on the Internet.
@touristguy87 Whatever you say pal, but ask any teacher worth anything & they'll tell you exactly the same things. Again, I guarantee it.
@@mikerodrick2430 sure blame it on your teachers
Great vid thanks 😊
Great stuff
Grenat tip, but I wish you wouldn't change camera angle mid swing.
Thanks and noted 🙏🏻
Which TM ball is that?
Excellent
Thanks