Bunker Shot

[EdStraker]

When students change chipping technique from Pelz style to Ben Doyle's technique, they usually hit fat at first. For some students to correct it, it is just a matter of moving the aiming point forward. Others who use arms and hands, might need to increase secondary axis tilt, which will allow them to rely on the pivot to move the hands.

This will work for 'dinky' chips as well. If you practice this at slow motion, you will acquire the feel needed to hit short chip shots.

 

[Brian Manzella]

Very good post ED, very good!

 

[hue]

Brian: I have had a go at your bunker method and you have done it again. I was a pretty good bunker player anyway but I find I am getting better results your way. Thanks. On one hole I tried the same type of method to fade the ball, roll the arms right and open the stance rather than opening the club and regripping it. It worked out well . Is this how YOU would recomend that you fade the ball?

 

[Brian Manzella]

Yup.

Draw too.

 

[hue]

So for the draw you Roll the arms left without changing the grip set up and hit it? Is that it? Thanks.

 

[Brian Manzella]

Pretty Much

 

[hue]

Brian: Your way feels better and is more natural. When you point the club face and then grip it with your stance at odds with the club face the balance of the club does not feel right. I have never been able to fade the ball. Today on the Old course of Walton Heath the pin on the first a 235 yard par 3 was behind the right bunker . The shot demanded a fade. I did your thing with a 3 iron and hit the best fade that I have ever hit. It is funny how small changes can lead to big improvements.

 

[revert]

I know exactly what you mean Hue. I've never felt right over a ball opening or closing the face then gripping it at odds with the stance. It's always felt out of balance for me. I've always had to rely on my hands at impact to create a draw but Brians explanation sounds good and i'll give it a try tomorrow. Thanks Brian.

 

[mshapiro]

Brian, my fault and the lesson's fault both. Chipping started declining and it is how I score. Example:12 handicap at the moment, 83,82 this past weekend, 29 and 27 putts. G.I.R. is my weakest stat. So watched Pelz and moved ball behind right foot. Couldn't really get through the ball and lost distance feel and got worse. Really was a head movement problem and I didn't realize. Also, many golf teachers in mags and TV exaggerate to cure a flaw and I didn't factor that in. Moved the ball back to just before low point of chipping and pitching swing two weeks ago. Keep my feet very close. Problem solved. Also choked down on club because finally someone said something that rang a bell, and it is hard for me to do something without understanding why. Another reason why I continue to do battle with Kelley's book.

 

[hue]

Brian: Could you go into your chipping method. I have got the Ben Doyle video but he seems to be demostrating pitch type chips rather than dinky chips. I have Pelzified myself so I want to know the ins and outs of your method so that I can give it a try. am starting to think that the only value the Short Game Bible has is the statistical analysis approach and his actual technigue is junk. I can do his methods but the ball has always felt that it it too far back in the stance to feel comfortable and his chipping method feels contrived. What is Your ball position and how much weight do YOU put on the front foot in your method? Thanks.

 

[EdStraker]

Hue,

The ball position for chipping is the same as the full swing, just inside the left ankle. This places on a line with the left armpit.

 

[hue]

EdStraker: Thanks what is the weight distribution? Is this from the video or have you had lessons with Ben?

 

[mshapiro]

I agree Ed. Also by keeping my feet very close together and flare the front foot, I found I can't be too far off on the low point. Also, a great help for me has been opening the blade of the club if necessary to adjust for distance and desired performance of the ball. I chip with 7 through lob, but after practicing this, instead of carrying half the bag to the green, I can guesstimate the club and then adjust by opening and closing the club face according to lie quality and terrain. I was up and down with this most of the time last weekend. If I could only master the shot after the tee shot, that single digit handicap may be possible.

 

[phil75070]

I'll have to try this method of getting out of the sand as it is one of my major weak points. I can be good at times, but I seldom have a feel for what it is I've done to be successful. Put me in the rough, or even a shaggy fairway and I can hit flop shots successfully all day long, but tend to either hit the greenside sand shots fat or, more often, pick them clean. I just can't seem to find a mental image that works for me.

 

[JimBlackwell]

I just returned from the driving range working on hitting the inside of the back of the ball and hitting cut shots by rolling the arms to the right. Both tips were just fantastic. My woods and iron shots were all straight with some a natural draw. I did not hit one ball to the right. That worked like magic. Thank you very much. The cut shot also worked with the 56 60 and PW. All the balls went high and landed soft with a bit of a kick right. I loved the feel and the ease with which the club went through the ball. You certainly are a magician. Again, many thanks. Jim Blackwell

 

[Brian Manzella]

I have been out of town...just got back and will post on this thread soon...

 

[EdStraker]

Sorry for the delay in responding, I just got back from a 3 1/2 day visit to Mendocino, Calif. Chipping is probably easier if you use sweep loading. My weight distribution is evenly distributed or just slightly favoring the left side.

Like the full swing, the pivot moves the hands, so the bump of the left hip towards the target is needed.

I assume Brian will indicate if the way I distribute my weight for chipping is okay or off the mark.

 

[Brian Manzella]

Very good Ed.

There are, of course, many ways to chip.

I chipped excellent one 18 month period with a HITTING procedure and a closed stance.

Tiger does a very good job of it.

and Ben can hit any length chip you want.

 

[ragman]

I hit chip shots the Severiano Ballesteros way...

Narrow, slightly open stance

Clubface slightly open

The toe moves first while the handle stays still then the shoulders take over

Kick-in the right knee/right side (not an explosive movement)

Chest opens quickly, knuckles up, maintain loft