The Washington herald., 1922-01-03
How to Play Out of a Bunker.

Some time ago a certain golfer
came to me with this observation.
which is worth noting:
There was a time when I knew
nothing about PLAYING out OF
bunker. AS a result ] was always
deadly afraid OF getting into one
and running my score. On this aC-
count I was always nervous with
bunker to carry, and 50 generally
lifted my head and promptly plunged
the ball into the sand. Then ! went
TO work to learn something about
- bUnkcr play. l Kept at il until 7
was reasonably sure to got out in
some stroke. From that point on |
found myself playing over bunkcrs
without any fear. reaching the sand
far less often than before So
- picked up a double value in this
. way"
This is undoubtedly true. The
golfer who knows how to play out
"f bunkcrs won't get in them az
often. for he will be able to 20
about pitching over them without
nervousness.
This is where the double value of
bunker play comes in.
Out of the sand.
There are two types Of bunker
play that one must consider. The
first is the shallow bunker near the
green, where the ball is lying we'll
The second is where the ball is in
4 bad lie. heel print. etc. or where
the bunker sides are deep.
The shot out of the shallow
bunker near the green is one Of the
hardest in golf. The lofted club
must take the bottom of the ball
without cutting at all into the sand
II must be taken cleanIy. If the
sand is loose, I don't advise this
shot for the average player. If the
sand is hard and firm. the ball and
sand should be taken together.
In the chip shot out Of the sand
the club should not he taken back
nearly as far.
Normal Bunker shot.
We now come to the normal
bunker shot. where the ball must
he hammered out. always the safest
to play.
The first move to make is to judge
the quality of sand. whether il l.
light or heavy.
The next move is to be sure that
the feet arc firmly planted. so there
will be no sudden give at the top
Of the swing or upon the downward
stroke.
Stand back of the ball, yet well
ever it. With the feet braced, make
up your mind in advance 10 20 after
the ball in a decisive way. This is
no place for indecision or half
hearted effort. 1t is no place to
QUIT on a shot. which so many do
1T
For an average quality of sand
would advise the gofer to pick out
a spot just an inch back of the ball
where the club is to strike.
Turn back the face of the niblick
and keep it turned back. The idea
is to get the ball up quickly. to he
sure and get out. regardless Of get
ting much distance where the sides
are steep.
The swing must be more upright
The arms and hands are used here
far more than the body. 1t is more
an arm shot than the average pitch
The head and body must be kept
still. There is very little turn of
the body in this stroke, for pivoting
is not needed to any great extent.
r,, Let the back swing come up evenly
and steadily under firm control. There
is always a tendency here to hit In
a hurry. as one naturally has the
feeling OF escaping from a trap or
a cage and wants the thing done
quickly.
- Never mind about being too much
in a hurry to get out. Determination
and a controlled swing are now the
main factors.
With the head still and the body
al - Al.
right through the sand. In the act
OF hitting the ball. draw the head
across the line OF flight. as IL play
ing for slice.
II YOU are in a deep pit near the
green. take enough sand to prevent
YOU from getting too far over into
smother trap. But don't strike so far
back that you can't get your club
. lead through the sand i'm time to
,,get-. the ball up. You must Judge