GOLF
across the island
IN & ON THE WATER 35 Golf Across the Island 35
Belmont Hills Golf Club 25 Belmont Hills Drive, Warwick Parish Tel: 441 236 6400 | Fax: 441 236 0694 Web: www.newsteadbelmonthills.com/golf
Greenside Bunkers The key to greenside bunker play is to hit a high, soft shot. One of the most common errors I see at when coaching, is players don’t open the club face enough and/or lean the shaft too far forward at address. This dynamic creates a lower initial launch angle, promoting the player to create a short arm swing and/or decelerate to counter the lack of loft. But even more importantly when this occurs the bounce on the club is minimized and as a result the club digs rather than skids. It is not that you cannot hit a good shot like this, but that it is much less likely. If you dig you must hit the sand exactly 2 inches before the ball or the club will dig and the ball will stay in the bunker. If you skid you can hit the sand 2-8 inches before that ball and still hit a good shot. Here are some things to consider at address to help create an environment that allows for enough loft and bounce which promotes the bigger arm swing and acceleration. 1. Put the clubface open with the shaft neutral to leaning slightly back. Look at adding loft not only through the clubface but also by not leaning the club shaft towards the target. Although there are situations that call for this, most greenside bunker shots call for the hands to be more in-line with the club head to leaning slightly back in relationship to the target to create the loft needed for the shot. 2. Ball position forward, in stance with the butt of the club pointing at belt buckle. With the shaft more neutral to leaning slightly back, it is important to position the body so the butt of the club is pointing at the belt buckle. This will help secure a forward ball position, leading to a higher launch. 3. Weaker grip, I encourage my players to move both their hands on the grip towards the target (weaker) which allows the clubface to open more during the backswing. This is an advanced approach, but it can help those who normally have a very strong grip and struggle out of the bunker.
Fairmont Southampton Golf Club 18 South Shore Road, Southampton Parish Tel: 441 238 8000 | Fax: 441 238 8968 Web: www.fairmont.com/southampton/Recreation/Golf/
Ocean View Golf Course 2 Barkers Hill, Devonshire Parish Tel: 441 295 9092 | Fax: 441 295 9097 Web: www.oceanview.bm
Port Royal Golf Course 5 Middle Road, Southampton Parish Tel: 441 234 0974 | Fax: 441 234 3562 Web: www.portroyalgolf.bm
Riddell's Bay Golf & Country Club 26 Riddell's Bay Road, Warwick Parish Tel: 441 238 1060 | Fax: 441 238 1203 Web: www.riddellsbay.com
The Mid Ocean Club 1 Mid Ocean Drive, Hamilton Parish Tel: 441 293 0330 | Fax: 441 293 8837 Web: www.themidoceanclubbermuda.com
Tucker's Point Golf Club 60 Tucker's Point Drive, Hamilton Parish Tel: 441 298 6970 | Fax: 441 298 4001 Web: www.tuckerspoint.com/club/golf
Bunker with Correct Setup.
Bunker with Incorrect Setup.
Paul Adams | PGA Director of Golf Rosewood Tucker’s Point | 441.298.6930 | C 441.300.6930
B e r m u d a ’s Te e Ti m e R e s e r va t i o n C
ompany
We have access to all of Bermuda’s courses. call 441-295-4640 or visit our website at www.toateebermuda.com