How to Spin Your Bunker Shots

From Jonathan Yarwood On June 10, 2022
When your golf ball finds a greenside bunker, do you feel a sense of dread? Or do you see it as a scoring opportunity? If sand traps bring you to the brink of panic, Titleist staff... member Jonathan Yarwood has a cure.

As Jonathan demonstrates in this video, there are a few simple adjustments to your setup and your mental approach that will allow you to put sizzling spin on your bunker shots – the key to control and leaving yourself tap-ins. Devote some practice time to your bunker game and focus on these keys from Jonathan:

• Open the clubface of your wedge and aim the face at 12 o'clock (at your target).
• Align your feet, knees, hips and shoulders slightly open (11 o'clock, for a right-handed golfer).
• Position the golf ball forward in your stance (closer to your lead foot).
• Hover the club about an inch behind the ball and get your hands down (lower the handle) and back (tilt the shaft away from the target slightly).
• Widen your stance and squat down slightly to lower your body's center of gravity.
• Allow your body to turn and make a FULL backswing. To spin the ball you need FRICTION and SPEED!
• On the downswing, shallow the club and swing with CONVICTION. You can't be timid in the bunker.
• PRO SECRET: As you deliver the club, allow the handle to slow down and accelerate the clubhead past your hands as you strike the sand. This release should feel like your trail hand is scooping through impact. As the club exits the sand, the club face should continue to face the sky.
When your golf ball finds a greenside bunker, do you feel a ... sense of dread? Or do you see it as a scoring opportunity? If sand traps bring you to the brink of panic, Titleist staff member Jonathan Yarwood has a cure.

As Jonathan demonstrates in this video, there are a few simple adjustments to your setup and your mental approach that will allow you to put sizzling spin on your bunker shots – the key to control and leaving yourself tap-ins. Devote some practice time to your bunker game and focus on these keys from Jonathan:

• Open the clubface of your wedge and aim the face at 12 o'clock (at your target).
• Align your feet, knees, hips and shoulders slightly open (11 o'clock, for a right-handed golfer).
• Position the golf ball forward in your stance (closer to your lead foot).
• Hover the club about an inch behind the ball and get your hands down (lower the handle) and back (tilt the shaft away from the target slightly).
• Widen your stance and squat down slightly to lower your body's center of gravity.
• Allow your body to turn and make a FULL backswing. To spin the ball you need FRICTION and SPEED!
• On the downswing, shallow the club and swing with CONVICTION. You can't be timid in the bunker.
• PRO SECRET: As you deliver the club, allow the handle to slow down and accelerate the clubhead past your hands as you strike the sand. This release should feel like your trail hand is scooping through impact. As the club exits the sand, the club face should continue to face the sky.
13 Videos
Filter:
  1. Instructor
  2. Alex Buckner
  3. Brad Faxon
  4. Dan Whittaker
  5. Dr. Mo Pickens
  6. Matt Leach
  7. Matthew Johns
  8. Sophie Walker
  9. Cameron McCormick
  10. James Sieckmann
  11. Mark Blackburn
  12. Michael Breed
  13. Trillium Rose
  14. Jonathan Yarwood
  15. Dave Phillips
  16. Brandon Stooksbury
  17. Justin Parsons
  18. Layne Savoie
  19. Dr. Rob Neal
  20. Dr. Greg Rose
  21. Skip Guss
  22. Jason Baile
  23. John Kostis
  24. Jennifer Hudson
  25. Ryan Hager
  26. Corey Lundberg
  27. Tom Patri
  1. Club
  2. Driver
  3. Fairway
  4. Hybrid
  5. Utility Iron
  6. Iron
  7. Wedge
  8. Putter
  1. Drill
  2. Fundamentals
  3. Shot Shaping
  4. Anti-hook
  5. Anti-slice
  6. Alignment
  7. Tight Lie
  8. Long Rough
  9. Bunker Play
  10. Consistency
  11. Distance Control
  12. Trajectory

Driver Headcover Drill

From Jonathan Yarwood On July 05, 2022
Are you looking to make better contact with your driver? Would you like to hit...

How to Spin Your Bunker Shots

From Jonathan Yarwood On June 10, 2022
When your golf ball finds a greenside bunker, do you feel a sense of dread? Or...

Burning Wedge Shot

From Jonathan Yarwood On March 03, 2022
If you're inside 100 yards and you have a wedge in your hands, you should be...

Rehearse Impact, The Moment of Truth in Golf

From Jonathan Yarwood On January 14, 2022
Throughout history, great golfers have swung the club in an endless variety of...

Stop Sliding

From Jonathan Yarwood On October 22, 2021
Titleist Staff Member Jonathan Yarwood shares a simple tip on how to avoid...

Golf Myths - Keep Your Head Still

From Jonathan Yarwood On April 02, 2020
You have a much greater chance of topping the ball and hitting a poor shot by...

Titleist Tips: Ball Push Drill to Start the Golf Swing on Track

From Jonathan Yarwood On April 02, 2020
You can almost always trace a big fault in your golf swing back to your first...

Golf Myths - Swing Slowly

From Jonathan Yarwood On April 02, 2020
Looks can be deceiving. Throughout golf history there have been many great...

What the Pros Do that You Don't

From Jonathan Yarwood On April 02, 2020
If you want to hit your irons with the same authority as the players we marvel...

Golf Myths - Make a Big Turn

From Jonathan Yarwood On April 02, 2020
If you’ve searched for ways to hit the ball farther, you’ve undoubtedly been...

Titleist Tips: The Right Way to Create Width in Your Golf Swing

From Jonathan Yarwood On April 02, 2020
The wider your swing arc, the more clubhead speed you can generate and the...

Titleist Tips: Hip Drill for More Powerful Golf Shots

From Jonathan Yarwood On April 02, 2020
A common denominator for really good ball strikers is that they lead the action...

Titleist Tips: A Foolproof Drill to Cure Your Slice

From Jonathan Yarwood On April 02, 2020
The slice is the bane of existence for many golfers. It’s typically caused by an...
Results loading...
No results