#43 Longer bunker shots

Today, I’ve got a fresh story for you. Yesterday, on the seventh hole at Gallery North Course in Marana, Arizona, my buddy Josh hit his tee shot into a bunker. He had that long bunker shot that everyone dreads - about 40 yards. He hit a 60-degree lob wedge and came up way short. Here’s where it gets interesting: I had him switch to a 46-degree pitching wedge and hit the same shot. The result? Two out of three within ten feet. The lesson here is about using the right club and avoiding deceleration. Most players swing too easy, fearing they’ll hit the ball first. Instead, you need to swing with enough speed to get the sand—and the ball—out of the bunker. When practicing, focus on hitting the sand with enough speed to throw it out of the bunker. Keep your weight on your front foot and target a specific grain of sand. This precision will build your confidence and improve your bunker shots. For distances, use a 56-degree sand wedge up to 20 yards, a 52-degree gap wedge for 20-30 yards, a pitching wedge for 30-45 yards, and a 9-iron for 50 yards. Practice these adjustments, and you’ll see a huge improvement. If you're ready to take your game to the next level, shoot me a text at 480-375-5393.  If you want to chat with me on Zoom, go to https://facefirstgolf.com/talk-to-craig/.