I agree. I’ve done that before. No reason you can’t if the ball is sitting clean. I’m not one to need someone to tell me it’s “OK” to do something out of the ordinary or not. I use my imagination. But I have to say, you’re the first instructor I’ve heard to even suggest it.
I chip out of bunkers all the time. My home course had very few bunkers until they redid the whole thing four years ago and now there are a hundred of them. I had to come up with a way to get out of them because I’m now in them so often.
I enjoy your teaching methodology very much. You’re easy to listen to, easy to follow, and explain the main points and the details of whatever the clinics’ subject happens to be very succincly. You should be one of the “top ten” instructors.
Thanks Shawn. I notice that you don’t scoop down then up when you use the pitching wedge, stance and swing that you demonstrate. I will try it. When you aren’t very tall ( like me) the depth of the bunker to lip distance seems to make a big difference. Carol
How ironic you should show this technique bunker shot, we played a game the other day and my ball went into the frozen solid greenside bunker, and there was just a dusting of sand on top of the frozen sand, like concrete, well my mates sniggered at my demise, but i used a PW and pinged it out as clean as a whistle, right up to the hole, mind you i do deem myself pretty good at chipping from around the green side grass, so this was a natural instinct to make this type of shot off a frozen surface, but your the first instructor to show this type of bunker long range chip shot.
I have played this shot many times with great success and prefer it to a conventional sand explosion shot but I have trouble playing this shot from really soft, deep sand. Would you change anything when playing from this type sand?
Thanks for another great piece of short(no pun intended) yet highly effective video instruction. I can’t wait to try this the next time I practice. Can you please do a pitching and chipping video(seperately) on uphill, downhill, above and below the feet lies, thank you?
Ian–the series is sent to you via email — digital link. If you don’t have the link. Please email us at support@shawnhumphries.com and our team will help you.
i have SH Golf Pro on iPhone (my mobile Coach) – a life saver. As newbie i have been wondering why can’t we hit the ball instead of having to blast sand out from bunker – now here is the answer from the Hump Day Coach. Actually, this tip was included in the App a long while ago. i have trouble with highlipped bunkers – fortunately not so often – (using PW) but with practice and more lofted wedge it should work!
i hope some day you will have All of your instructions from DVD on Apps – great to take along to the range.
Hi Shawn, your training drills are the best as we actually see you do what you breach. Great work. My course has mostly high lip bunkers, can you teach/demonstrate how to play 8-10 ft high lip bunker shots successfully. Thanks again from Dale (Down Under in Australia)
Shawn: after watching this new bunker video several times I played a round the next day. On one of the par 5’s I found myself in a deep greenside bunker. I set up to the shot as instructed only to hit the top lip of the bunker, and the ball rolled back to my feet. Embarrassed, and in desperation I went to your previous bunker shot with the wedge laid off while square to the ball. I gave it a go and it came out just as you said it would…so thanks for that shot.
Played 18 today and found myself in two greenside bunkers. I confidently employed your new bunker chip shot using my 48* wedge and easily got out each time, no worries. Man it felt good. Thanks Shawn
Rich–to hit a 3-wood off the ground. 1st and foremost you need a great lie with the ball sitting up on the grass. If you don’t have that you have no business tying to hit the club. Go to a 5 metal or hybrid to hit the shot. Words from the Tour.
Thank you very much for giving me an extraodinary instruction on the bunker shot. I think this skill will shock my partner in the golf round. I want to download the video and replay in my phone or ipad in during the time of playing golf in order to improve skill more effectively, I’d like to know how i can download it . Thank you for your help.
I agree. I’ve done that before. No reason you can’t if the ball is sitting clean. I’m not one to need someone to tell me it’s “OK” to do something out of the ordinary or not. I use my imagination. But I have to say, you’re the first instructor I’ve heard to even suggest it.
Keith–one has to be unconventional in many ways and the short-game variety gives us that opportunity.
I chip out of bunkers all the time. My home course had very few bunkers until they redid the whole thing four years ago and now there are a hundred of them. I had to come up with a way to get out of them because I’m now in them so often.
Jerry–that’s awesome! Good to hear you use this technique. Its a killer out of the bunkers.
I enjoy your teaching methodology very much. You’re easy to listen to, easy to follow, and explain the main points and the details of whatever the clinics’ subject happens to be very succincly. You should be one of the “top ten” instructors.
Thanks Tim! Appreciate your comments.
Thanks Shawn. I notice that you don’t scoop down then up when you use the pitching wedge, stance and swing that you demonstrate. I will try it. When you aren’t very tall ( like me) the depth of the bunker to lip distance seems to make a big difference. Carol
Carol–that’s the main issue when using a sandwedge and taking big swings. Use the wedge and chipping stroke with speed and you will see the results.
your hump day dvd’s took 5-6 stroks off ma hcp, great stuff from a great teacher LOUIS C
Louis–great to hear….keep Humpin
do you hit ball first or do you hit into the sand first?
Ball First–just like a chip shot.
Hi Shawn:
How ironic you should show this technique bunker shot, we played a game the other day and my ball went into the frozen solid greenside bunker, and there was just a dusting of sand on top of the frozen sand, like concrete, well my mates sniggered at my demise, but i used a PW and pinged it out as clean as a whistle, right up to the hole, mind you i do deem myself pretty good at chipping from around the green side grass, so this was a natural instinct to make this type of shot off a frozen surface, but your the first instructor to show this type of bunker long range chip shot.
Great Story Mike! Chipping from the bunker is much easier than blasting away.
What about a short bunker shot? Can you use a more lofted club using this technique?
Yes–it will work.
Shawn, is the ball in the middle of your stance? Hard to tell in the video. Thanks.
Dave–Please reply the video. I mention the ball position in the video clip.
I have played this shot many times with great success and prefer it to a conventional sand explosion shot but I have trouble playing this shot from really soft, deep sand. Would you change anything when playing from this type sand?
Rich–I would recommend using the technique in the video for all the bunker shots. Its unconventional to what’s been taught with old school teaching.
Shawn:
Thanks for another great piece of short(no pun intended) yet highly effective video instruction. I can’t wait to try this the next time I practice. Can you please do a pitching and chipping video(seperately) on uphill, downhill, above and below the feet lies, thank you?
Sincerely,
Randy Fox
Randy–thank you for the note. We have those videos in our archives of Hump Day. You will just have to look through them on our site.
Dear Dave. It really looks easy and Des complicated Thanks for your tips
Hi Shawn,
I really love this tip. Does the sand have to be firm to pull off this shot?
Thanks,Gary
Gary–this applies to all sand.
Gus–Its Shawn not Dave. Glad you like the tips.
Hi Shawn,
Do you open your club face in the bunker. I heard no mention of that?
Dean–face is square. Usually if I don’t mention it–no adjustment.
Shawn,
I like your tips so much I sent for the series of lessons and thought I would get them on DVD but nothing arrived.Is it just via computer?
Ian–the series is sent to you via email — digital link. If you don’t have the link. Please email us at support@shawnhumphries.com and our team will help you.
i have SH Golf Pro on iPhone (my mobile Coach) – a life saver. As newbie i have been wondering why can’t we hit the ball instead of having to blast sand out from bunker – now here is the answer from the Hump Day Coach. Actually, this tip was included in the App a long while ago. i have trouble with highlipped bunkers – fortunately not so often – (using PW) but with practice and more lofted wedge it should work!
i hope some day you will have All of your instructions from DVD on Apps – great to take along to the range.
Thu–thanks for the post. We will keep the Hump Days coming.
Shawn, on this new (chipping) bunker shot. Do you hit an inch behind the ball or ball first just like a regular chip shot?
Rich–Ball first like a regular chip. Good luck with it.
Hi Shawn, your training drills are the best as we actually see you do what you breach. Great work. My course has mostly high lip bunkers, can you teach/demonstrate how to play 8-10 ft high lip bunker shots successfully. Thanks again from Dale (Down Under in Australia)
Dale–thanks for the note. We are so glad you like our training. Will put that on the list for future Hump Days. Happy Holidays Down Under.
Shawn: after watching this new bunker video several times I played a round the next day. On one of the par 5’s I found myself in a deep greenside bunker. I set up to the shot as instructed only to hit the top lip of the bunker, and the ball rolled back to my feet. Embarrassed, and in desperation I went to your previous bunker shot with the wedge laid off while square to the ball. I gave it a go and it came out just as you said it would…so thanks for that shot.
Played 18 today and found myself in two greenside bunkers. I confidently employed your new bunker chip shot using my 48* wedge and easily got out each time, no worries. Man it felt good. Thanks Shawn
Shawn, do you have a segment on How to Hit a 3 Wood off the ground?? If so, please let me know how I can find it.
Rich–to hit a 3-wood off the ground. 1st and foremost you need a great lie with the ball sitting up on the grass. If you don’t have that you have no business tying to hit the club. Go to a 5 metal or hybrid to hit the shot. Words from the Tour.
Thank you very much for giving me an extraodinary instruction on the bunker shot. I think this skill will shock my partner in the golf round. I want to download the video and replay in my phone or ipad in during the time of playing golf in order to improve skill more effectively, I’d like to know how i can download it . Thank you for your help.
At this time the are not downloadable.