BEST YOUNG TEACHERS IN AMERICA
Rising Stars Share their Best Tips
KEEP YOUR CHEST UP IN A FAIRWAY BUNKER BY CJ NAFUS, NEW JERSEY Hitting it solid out of a fairway bunker is one of the most challenging shots for regular golfers. There is a tendency to put some body english into the swing, and that often results in poor contact. Let me help you make these shots a little easier. The first step is to make sure you choose a club with enough loft to clear the lip. I hope that’s obvious. And whatever club you choose, grip down a little to compensate for having your feet lower when you dig into the sand. You’ll want to firm up your footing to avoid slipping or spinning out on the unstable surface. At setup, you also can ensure crisp contact by standing a little further from the ball than normal and keeping your chest up – those two adjustments are very important. Your ball position can remain normal depending on the club you choose. Now let’s talk about the swing. Think about maintaining the height you started with at address. Remember when I said to keep your chest up (above)? If you lower it during the downswing or rise out of that tall posture, you’ll likely mis-hit the ball. The goal is to pick it clean out of the sand. Even if you thin it a little, that’s probably going to work out. To further help with that, keep your lower body “quiet” through the strike. Last tip: Don’t let your swing arc drop below the level of the sand.
102 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
JUNE 2025
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