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We have (now and then) discuss bunker play in some from or another for different reasons. or they pop up in conversations indirectly related to other things. But usually its most always about greenside bunkers. getting out, getting up/down, etc....But what about fairway bunkers? How good are you at playing approaches from them? assuming (for sake of discussion) you have a nice lie and a place to stand at address otherwise you sometimes just have to get out and take your lumps. And I don't mean a bunker 30yrds out but fairway bunkers perhaps 8,7,6 iron away.
One of my home courses has about 150 bunkers and is primarily doglegs and all holes have fw bunkers (a few to several) along the in and outter sides of the dogleg. Point is a lot of people can be in them quite often. As long as I have a favorable lie and can stand well enough I have become pretty good (only relatively speaking) at hitting my approach shots from them. Of course I fail too but just that its not something that scares me because I do get out well on enough occasions. Just have to hope I get the lie and stance and swing room.
Its kind of strange but I think the reason is because I tend to stay more relaxed due to the fact that Iam concerned with maintaining balance and footing. This causes me to swing a bit more carefully (or a bit easier) by default and the result is often enough a good one. of course other factors like how close the lip is and its elevation will determin which longest club you can use so sometimes you have to play a club short. And I've never (I don't think) hit longer than 6iron but I have greened 6irons from them and certainly had my share of close to the green shots too. But I can also take a 9i and chunk one 20 feet into the rough lol.
I often see many people who have good lies and stance but don't even ever consider attempting an approach and just pitch it out. And I think to myself -"but its a good lie and you have all required room and place to stand, just swing easy and normal and you'll hit it well"
So with that....just throwing it out there. whats your thoughts, opinons, whatever about approaching from fw bunkers. Whats your approach to this "approach"?....lol
One of my home courses has about 150 bunkers and is primarily doglegs and all holes have fw bunkers (a few to several) along the in and outter sides of the dogleg. Point is a lot of people can be in them quite often. As long as I have a favorable lie and can stand well enough I have become pretty good (only relatively speaking) at hitting my approach shots from them. Of course I fail too but just that its not something that scares me because I do get out well on enough occasions. Just have to hope I get the lie and stance and swing room.
Its kind of strange but I think the reason is because I tend to stay more relaxed due to the fact that Iam concerned with maintaining balance and footing. This causes me to swing a bit more carefully (or a bit easier) by default and the result is often enough a good one. of course other factors like how close the lip is and its elevation will determin which longest club you can use so sometimes you have to play a club short. And I've never (I don't think) hit longer than 6iron but I have greened 6irons from them and certainly had my share of close to the green shots too. But I can also take a 9i and chunk one 20 feet into the rough lol.
I often see many people who have good lies and stance but don't even ever consider attempting an approach and just pitch it out. And I think to myself -"but its a good lie and you have all required room and place to stand, just swing easy and normal and you'll hit it well"
So with that....just throwing it out there. whats your thoughts, opinons, whatever about approaching from fw bunkers. Whats your approach to this "approach"?....lol