A well-played greenside bunker shot is one of the most spectacular in golf. Airborne sand, spin choked ball and a smashing open bladed strike. The irony is that playing the shot usually means you have gone wrong somewhere…

We review the key elements to consider to produce consistent and creative bunker shots.

The Strike

Playing from the sand around the green is about confidence, bravery and commitment to the hit. Open your stance and clubface, this ensures immediate height on the strike and better control from the softer lie.

Play the ball off your front foot at all times in order to promote a steeper strike for trajectory control. It might feel unnatural at first but practice will as always make the difference.

The motion of the backswing also differs; outside to in swing path will allow drill and punch through the ball. Follow through and stay longer on the strike. This is essential for full flight control and spin production. The shot is not a pitch and run so the ability to work the ball from the face is simply vital.

Finally remember to hit behind the ball catching the sand first to toss the ball into the air. Hitting the ball first will simply result in a thinned connection that might not even get over the face.

Club Selection

In days gone by, the sand wedge was the only option for players for green side bunker play. The development of wedges with varying degrees of loft has transformed the shot creation possibilities. Top players can now control bunker shots without any fear and club players should be no different.

Consider the steepness of the trap face and the closeness of the pin before committing to a club choice.

Practice Drills

Play batches of shots aimed from different lies and work the motion of catching the sand before the ball to perfect the technique.

Try to avoid playing from the same section of bunker as it will become unnatural and bare.

If you need any extra assistance on this then please visit your local Foremost Golf professional. 

There can be no truer test of bunker skill than long iron play. There are surprisingly few top players that are genuinely gifted in such shots. Legendary Seve Ballesteros was an excellent exploiter of the long bunker shot built on years of beach play as a youngster. In recent years Phil Mickelson has produced some incredible recovery play.

We review the key aspects to consider when becoming a high quality striker from the sand.

Selecting the right club

Playing from a fairway bunker someway back can be incredibly difficult to judge. Depending on the depth of the hazard, the lie and the weather condition; the strike can be highly variable.

If you are facing a larger lip, take more loft on your long iron to eliminate the chance of a failed clearance.

It is important to note that spin patterns from the bunker are different and there is a greater chance of a flyer on a long iron strike. Use the run on the ball as oppose to flying right to pin high.

The technique

Lean back in the stance and increase the clubs loft; this will ensure a better take off and prevent the ball sinking on the strike. It is also sensible to grip slightly tighter to prevent the sand moving your alignment.

Put the ball slightly back in the stance to prevent an early strike with excess sand interfering with what you are trying to do. Plant your feet firmly in the ground, the solidity of the strike comes from your feet.

If you are having issues catching too much sand, grip down the club a little to gain control and raise the strike platform. 

The most important thing to remember is that the swing needs to be shallower as coming in steep will not encourage early flight. Think about snapping into the strike and punching through the follow-through.

Practice drills

Scatter balls around different parts of a bunker and work on takeoff and accelerating through the ball. As with all golf shots, bunker play is about confidence and committing to what you need to do.

If you are still having difficulty with long irons, modern hybrid options can improve your armory in the long run. Do not get disheartened in the early stages and work at connecting properly and build precious confidence in the swing. Don’t think fairway... think green. 

If you need any extra assistance on this then please visit your local Foremost Golf Professional.

Many in the golfing community affectionately refer to the Old Course at St.Andrews as 'The Old Lady'. This works in a literal sense - it's the oldest golf course in the world - but also in a metaphorical one. You see, 'The Old Lady' garners the sort of respect and reverence usually reserved for 'The Old Lady' of your family. It's fawned over in the same way your grandmother is, every aspect of their life meticulously taken care of.

Chambers Bay is different; it's more Moody Teen than Old Lady. Any time you became too comfortable, any time you felt you understood its many intricacies and quirks, you'd be desperately splashing out of a bunker before you could blink. Sometimes, seemingly for its own amusement, it would take your perfectly struck 8 iron and cast it 40 yards away from the intended target. This would perplex and frustrate many, those used to plying their trade on pristine fairways and perfect greens couldn't grasp this style of golf. 

Only a particular type of golfer could emerge victorious at this unique venue. Jordan Spieth is exactly that kind of golfer. His unique ability to not allow emotions to factor in to his game is rare for someone of his age - he became the first person to win The US Open before the age of 22 since Bobby Jones in 1923. There was no clearer illustration of this than his final three holes. On 16 he curled in a beautiful, arcing putt for birdie that was met with a fist pump and an emphatic ‘come on’. A celebration, yes but not the sort of unbridled joy that some would show on the cusp of their first US Open. Then 17 came and his situation changed again. Considering the magnitude of the moment he may well have played the worst hole of his short but spectacular career; he duffed a 6 iron off the tea and missed a four-foot putt, eventually leading to a double bogey to push him in to a tie for the lead.

To gather your emotions at this point and get yourself in a position to win the tournament is truly remarkable. There are maybe a handful of professional golfers that have the mental fortitude to overcome such a setback and play the final hole how Jordan played it. He drilled his second shot on the par five 18^th over 280 yards, his ball eventually settling 15 feet from the hole. He wouldn’t make the eagle putt but he would tap in for the birdie that would win him the Championship.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention poor Dustin Johnson, the man who handed victory to Spieth with a three putt on 18 that will live long in his memory. Johnson has had more near misses than The Road Runner, finishing in the the top ten at a Major Championship 9 times with a few unfortunate implosions along the way. I hope for his sake that his time comes because having that 18^th hole as one of the lasting memories of your career would be tough to digest.

In the end though, The US Open found itself a worthy winner. A course that required great putting and an even greater mindset got both in the form of Jordan Spieth. 

US Open Day 4 Notes

•          What could have been – Rory McIlroy looked like he was mounting a serious challenge at one point, he was -2 under overall and -6 for the day but he couldn’t muster up enough over the closing holes to really put pressure on anyone. He missed too many makeable putts throughout the whole tournament, if he’d have even been 10% better on the greens he might have walked away with the trophy.
•          Oosthuizen – After a first round 77 you’d have hardly blamed the South African if he’d have packed it in and got ready for a weekend at home. However, he stuck with it as best he could and, after three fantastic rounds including a 67 on Sunday, ended up only one shot back.
•          The course. Oh, the course – I’m not afraid to say that I loved it. It was criticised ad nauseam before, during and in the moments after the event. Garnering the majority of the complaints were the greens (although calling them green might be generous, browns is probably more accurate). They may not have been the greatest surfaces but I can’t really feel sympathy for anyone when the course plays the same for everyone. Those that got on with it and accepted the challenge were the most successful. It was different, it was fun, it made for a fascinating final day. I don’t know what else we can ask for.

Winning what’s in the bag

Driver: Titleist 915D2 (9.5 degrees)

3 Wood: Titleist 915F (15 degrees)

Irons: Titleist 712U (3 iron), Titleist 714 AP2 (4-9)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM5 (46-08 F Grind, 52-08 F Grind, 56-10 S Grind and 60-04 L Grind)

Putter: Scotty Cameron 009 Prototype

Ball: Titleist Pro V1X

Harrison Ryle

harrison.ryle@foremostgolf.com

The US Open begins on Thursday and promises to be one of the most fascinating Major Championships in recent memory. Here are 5 things to watch for over the four days:

1. The course is, ummm, different?

Chambers Bay is an undeniably unique venue. Built in 2007 for the exact purpose of hosting the US Open, the 115th edition will be the first held in the Pacific Northwest (it's just outside Tacoma, Washington) and looks more like a course you'd see in Blackpool than anywhere in the US. 

I say that not to undermine the quality of the golf course - it's quite beautiful, frankly - it's more to illustrate how the course shares many characteristics with a more traditional British links course. There is one tree (a Douglas Fir if you're interested) and zero water hazards across the entire 18 holes, these are replaced by bunkers that stretch for hundreds of yards, some so deep many golfers will break out in a cold sweat at the thought. 

The fairways are almost unthinkably wide, the widest of any US Open, but many holes can only be realistically accessed by as little as a third of the fairway so placement off the tee will be important. The real damage, however, will be done in and around the greens. Every green contains heavy contours, one foot to the right and your ball is 50 yards from where you wanted it, one foot to the left and you've got yourself a tap-in for birdie. Look at several greens and the only hope you have of distinguishing it from the fairway is the white flag protruding from the hole, a feature that has irked many golfers, chief among them Charl Schwartzel and the oft-opinionated Ian Poulter. 

2. Sounds like local knowledge might help, right?

Absolutely, yes! Mike Davis, Executive director of the USGA, said in May 'The idea of coming in and playing two practice rounds and having your caddie just walk it and using your yardage book, that person's done'. Whether or not that's accurate or just hyperbole remains to be seen but it's reasonable to suggest it'll help to have played Chambers Bay several times. 

So, who has that precious local knowledge? Well, Michael Putnam and Ryan Moore might be your guys!

3. How mentally and physically prepared are you?

There's no doubt this is going to be a physically draining round of golf. Depending on the layout the course can play as long as 7,900 yards, admittedly for a US Open this isn't unusual however compared to those other courses this is a virtual mountain range. There aren't many opportunities to walk flat and catch your breath, even a guy who takes fitness as seriously as Tiger Woods could only play 9 holes in his practice rounds as 18 would be too taxing. 

Then there's the mental side. The winner of this event is going to be the guy who can accept the shots that he feels he hit perfectly but end up 40 or 50 yards away from his target. This is going to happen. To everyone. Those who let it bother them and allow the course to get in their heads are going to shoot some very high scores. 

4. Yeah that's all great but, what about Rory and Tiger?

Love it or hate it these are the two most important players in Golf. It's odd that a guy ranked way outside the top 100 still has this level of significance but that's the way it is, and it wont be changing any time soon. 

For Tiger, I have no idea what to expect other than you have to imagine he has no realistic shot of winning. Nothing the man has done over the past 12 months suggests he has the game to navigate a course as tough as this, it's probably more pertinent to think about how badly this could go. If he drives like he's been driving, chips like he was chipping before The Masters and doesn't make a few putts then it could go very, very badly indeed. Let's hope not though ehy, you may disagree but I always find Tiger being in contention on Sunday much more fun. 

As for Rory, it's clear that when he plays at the peak of his powers nobody can touch him (not even you, Mr.Spieth) however he also lacks the consistency to guarantee that'll happen. At the Irish Open, a venue not the same as Chambers Bay but similar in some respects, he was awful so he needs to have figured out a few things since then. 

What ever happens with these two it'll be a fascinating watch!

5. So, who wins?

Absolutely no idea, just enjoy the weekend!

Harrison Ryle

harrison.ryle@foremostgolf.com

Every putt is as much about discipline and willful thinking as instigating a pure roll. In an ideal world every putt should be considered an opportunity but lagging does not need to represent a negative.

By definition; it offers a cautious route, but the return can knock half a dozen putts a round from your card. We review the key methods to improve your lag putting.

Practice makes perfect

In general, improving your short game can only be achieved with hours of practice. An excellent tip to maintain a positive outlook to lagging is setting target zones round the hole. This should consider elements such as slopes and hills because the basis of lagging is avoiding difficult speedy downhill putts. Why make things tougher?

To demonstrate the success of this method, perform the same putts once again except this time attack the hole. It is almost a guarantee that the ‘safety first’ option will produce a more productive card over 18 holes. The proof is well and truly in the proverbial golfing pudding.

Scatter balls around areas of the green and ensure every putt lands within the zone around the flag. It encourages the idea of a definite two putt and keeps your game from the dreaded three.

To help improve your line when lag putting, introduce gates on the line of the putt when practicing. It helps build confidence in alignment and control but highlights the various outcomes of the same shot. The greatest names in golf all understand the importance of making a score and respecting the course.

Thinking only distance

Pace is the founding principle of successful lag putting. Think less about the line and focus on finding the correct level. Even if you are a foot left of the pin, distance control will make sure of an easy return.

Many golf commentators will refer to pin high suggesting the need to avoid tricky putts from above. This is sensible course management and the key to breaking 80. 

Rock of the shoulders

When attempting a long range putt many players fall into the trap of using their wrists to steer the strike. For the most effective roll, use the solidity of the shoulders to rock the motion and form a stable platform. The less movement, the more accuracy.

Between the ears

Technique can ensure a pure roll but that is not enough to consider holing difficult putts on a regular basis. Play the percentage game, sometimes thinking par is the correct method especially in tournament play. Forming a game plan before teeing off will produce clarity.

Finally, there is always an element of luck to any putt and various factors outside of your control can decide if the ball will drop. Keep this clear in your head and understand the frustrating nature of putting. No one can make them all but it is very easy to four putt from nowhere. The principle can be summed up in a straightforward formula:

Lagging + confidence + a pure roll = better scoring 

For any additional tips you might need, visit your local Foremost Golf Professional 

Uneven lies can destroy a promising scorecard in seconds and break your confidence. We review the key elements to consider to successfully produce magic from the dreaded uphill lie…

Position the body

The perfect uphill swing is comparable to leading the tango. Many golfers tend to stand against the slope or leave their full weight on the back foot. This increases the potential for a fat strike or firing the shot straight left from the blade. It can make you look foolish but small alignment tricks can eliminate the problem. Set your waist, shoulders and knees parallel to the slope. To sound philosophical, work as one with the slope and treat it like an old friend.

The key element of weight transfer is the downswing, always ensure you are moving through the ball and not sitting behind the strike. This will create a straighter, forward motion and generate better spin control.

Breeding a Confident Strike

As with any element of the golf swing, practice makes perfect. A driving range is less suitable for hill striking so visit a local practice area and repeat the balanced striking motion until you are happy and confident. Make sure to commit fully to the strike and see the swing through to its conclusion.

Using your advantage

Always remember, the ball will fly at a higher trajectory because of the natural slope below. Top players use this to their advantage and club players should be no different. Increased height also means additional spin and the opportunity to fire closer to the pin. Be aware not to close the clubface on impact and go with the angles of the ground.

Playing from an uphill lie is certainly easier than a downhill strike so make it count. Think positively on address and be realistic about the flight path. Some of the most creative shots ever played occurred due to uphill lies so accept the challenge and get it close…. 

If you require any additional assistance don't hesitate to visit your local Foremost Golf professional.