Article #51
Teacher: Jitterbug, Mr. Vaughn, Lord Berry
To meet this week's teacher, or to purchase a copy of MUNIE ~ The Jitterbug Collection, go to www.bobbysteiner.com
Dear Jitterbug:
I do pretty well with short bunker shots, say inside twenty feet. But, if the flag is sixty or seventy feet away, I just can't get the ball all the way to the hole. I've tried picking the ball clean but tend to overdo it and blade the ball all the way across the green. Any advice?
Pork Chop Toti
Jitterbug Gang Fan
Jitterbug:
Pork Chop, I wouldn't fiddle around too much with picking the ball clean. That's flirting with disaster, as there's hardly any room for error with the clean pick approach.
Rather, I'd start with my swing shape. Basically speaking, good long bunker shot players swing through impact on a shallow plane; the club travels low to the sand, both before and after impact. The earmark of this type swing is the long, low finish and complete weight shift to the target. This is in contrast to the more up-and-down swing shape suited for short bunker shots.
I suggest you crawl into a bunker and experiment with both swing shapes, and you'll learn more than I could possibly teach you.
Mr. Vaughn:
Let me share an image that may be helpful when you're faced with a long bunker shot.
Step into a practice bunker and take a stance without a ball. Next, take a swing with the ambition of sending sand as far as possible out and onto the green. Don't be concerned with how high the sand flies, but rather, how far. Really send it out there as far as you can.
The first thing you'll notice is the great commitment you make on the forward side of the ball. This is the commitment lousy long bunker shot players lack.
Do this three or four times, then try the same swing with a ball. This drill will likely take care of your troubles.
Lord Berry:
Regardless of how proficient you become with the long bunker blast, know your limitations. There may be times when you have friendly, trouble-free space between your ball and the flag. If this is the case swing away, as a miscalculation might leave you with only a slightly longer putt.
I wouldn't be so brazen, however, when attempting a carry over 70 feet of trouble.
Remember the golden rule when it comes to tackling trouble shots: never have two of them in a row.