Golf News

Make Bunker Play Simpler...

Lance Patterson, Director of Golf

There are lots of different types of bunker shots you can learn to play and there are lots that I can teach you. The one that I found that is the most important bunker shot to teach is the one that ends up on the green.

Bunker shots can be intimidating; big lips, deep bunkers, water on the other side of the green, oh sheesh! So let’s make this simple, it’s mostly about the setup. Holding your sand wedge in front of you, turn the face open about 20 degrees, then take your grip.

Get into your stance with the ball way forward, opposite the heel of your front foot. Then, set a little more weight on your front side, keep your hands even with the clubhead. You want the shaft to be straight up and down.

Make a half backswing, then really spank the sand two to three inches behind the ball. Here’s the visual: You’re throwing the sand and ball out of the bunker together. It’s easy and it works.

One of the big issues on bunker shots is, people think they’re supposed to cut across the ball when you do that, but you lose the sliding action of the club. Why? Because that action comes from the face being open, and it’s hard to hold the face open when it’s cutting to the left. Swing out to your target, like on a normal pitch shot.

It’s that easy! Revised 2020 MGA Schedule Four-Man Drop Out Scramble Friday, July 17 1:00 pm | Gold Course

Revised 2020 MGA Schedule

Member-Member Friday & Saturday, August 14-15 1:00 pm Blue Course 9:00 am Gold Course

Heaven & Hell Four-Man Teams Friday, September 18, 1:00 pm | Blue Course

Podnas Friday & Saturday, November 6-7 12:00 pm Gold Course 10:00 am Blue Course

Revised 2020 WGA Schedule

Spring into Summer Fling Thursday, July 23

Member-Member Wednesday & Thursday, September 9-10

Senior Classic Wednesday & Thursday, September 23-24

Club Championship Friday-Sunday, October 2-4

WGA Guest Day Thursday, October 15

WGA/WTA Race for the Cure Friday, October 30

Solheim Cup Thursday, November 5 (Pairing Party November 4)

WGA Christmas Luncheon/Awards Friday, December 11