Low Hands and Sand shots

[grs]

I've been working on my bunker play and noticed that if I keep my hands lower at address I hit really nice bunker shots.

Is this just a band aid I found or am I onto something here?

 

[Wallop]

That's the basis of the Stan Utley/Tom Pernice bunker method. Not only low hands, but they sit down low (like sitting on a stool) at address as well. This exposes more of the flange to the sand. They also use a very level shoulder turn. Great technique for hitting high, soft bunker shots.

 

[jmessner]

This works for me too, although I use this technique far more in flop shots - feels like it keeps the clubhead from turning over. Also, seems to give a nice shallow path into the ball. Maybe an instructor will chime in on why this may work for some people.

 

[grs]

Im gonna try it with flop shots and see how it goes, thanks

 

[ggsjpc]

like wallop said. adds to the bounce and encourages a higher softer sand shot because entry is more shallow than exit. it's like a "U" entrance with a "V" exit. As long as you are dealing with soft fluffy sand you'll be fine. Same for flops as well. Just make sure their is some air under the ball.

 

[jenhaoyen]

what is a high hand? can somebody show me the difference between low hands and high hands...i don't understand this concept.

 

[Kevin Shields]

It is also insurance against rotating the club inside, the killer of good bunker play

 

[goley]

High hands would have the butt of the club point more at your belly button and low hands the butt of the club would be pointing some where between your knees and mid thigh. I find it the really good if you want to hit a high soft bunker shot that needs to get up in a hurrry. One other thing that I find that makes this shot easier is to widen you stance and all a little extra knee flex which will allow you to really get down there with the hands.

 

[Notorious B.E.N.]

examples

what is a high hand? can somebody show me the difference between low hands and high hands...i don't understand this concept.

High hands- Chris Dimarco

Low hands- Hubert Green, Ryan Moore

 

[CanadianAMFTeachPro]

The low hands not only exposes more bounce to the sand but also brings the clubface back into alignment with the target. Place a long tee on the face to see what I mean. Open the face first and watch the tee point right of target, then drop the handle and see the tee point back to the target. This technique works brilliantly for high, spinning sand shots on target. Make sure the weight is more toward your front foot with ball beneath your sternum. During the motion purposely release the club early to expose the flange to the sand and the club will bounce properly (without digging) at the right place in the sand due to the ball position under the sternum.

 

[cmartingolf]

You found a keeper

I've been working on my bunker play and noticed that if I keep my hands lower at address I hit really nice bunker shots.

Is this just a band aid I found or am I onto something here?

IMO, there is less drag on the club when you drop the handle, thereby raising the toe of the club a wee bit.

 

[Shot Limit]

How does this concept of low hands work if you're not in a bunker? Say hitting out of the fairway, what would lower hands do then?

 

[BIGBALL]

I'm a hacker compared to most of you guys, but I've always had a really good sand game. And no one told me really how to play sand shots too much. I've always just "sat" a bit more and had my hands low. It's just always worked for me, and just felt natural. I'm not going to say I have a scratch players sand game, but I'd put my sand game against anyone with a 19 handicap.