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bunkers

• sandy132435 3 Posts

  Mon, Jan 17 2011 8:26 AM

  I seem to have a fair grasp on most types of shots, but when i get in the bunker i have no idea how the shot will come out. Whether its ten, 15, 20+ yards, most of the time the ball will carry too short or fly way past the hole. I'd be greatfull for any help. Thanks

• JeffSpicoli1 88 Posts

  Mon, Jan 17 2011 8:32 AM

  I have the same problem. The sand is very unrealistic. The chipping at pitching is not the best either. But as far as the sand. When most real life players hit the sand it is usually an easy out. But not on here. Im not sure what to do. I usually leave it in the sand again. 

• YankeeJim 25,827 Posts

  Mon, Jan 17 2011 9:48 AM

  sandy (I'll leave that alone!). Search "sand traps" over there------> and you get a lot of good posts about it. I don't recall ever seeing specific yardage corrections other than what players figure out for themselves but the majority use flops and pitches around the green. The posts will give you an idea of what to expect but nothing is going to top you going out and seeing for yourself.

  Something to beware of-the traps are not consistent from course to course. They each have their own quirks. For instance, at  Oakmont if you try to get out of those traps with anything higher than what your caddie suggests (which is usually a wedge) you will be in trouble. Kiawah has a lot of high bunker walls where what the caddie suggests doesn't work-like a 4i when you're 180 away but staring at the sidewall of the bunker. Some of the 40-50 lies you need a cannon to get out of. 

  Whatever you do don't baby the shot. You can't finesse your way out of the sand and sometimes it's actually to your advantage to be in one (Oak9) so time you spend practicing sand escapes will always help you. GL

• WGTicon 12,511 Posts

  Mon, Jan 17 2011 10:09 AM

  General rule I use:

  1. If sand is 15/20 then Irons will work, but be careful of your line cause flight path is very slow and if it's near lip, it will clip it!

  2. 30/40 sand+ wedges only.

  3. 20/25 sand, something in between:

  general things:

  4. all oakmont sand is 30/40+

  5. alot of kiawah what seems is a sand it's not: it's dunes and has yard sand which can be played off with irons

  6. bp 15/20 is fine for irons.

  7. sta 15/20 is very rare, 30/40+ is wedge time.

  -wgticon