Bunker shot Wedges Beginner / Intermediate ⏱ 3 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Phil Mickelson's Sand Divot in the Bunker: The Keys

Name: Phil Mickelson's Sand Divot in the Bunker: The Keys
Uploaded: 2010-03-23T12:00:00+00:00
Duration: 2 min 32 s
Channel: Phil Mickelson
Description: Getting out of a bunker on the green is often a matter of chance. Golf Digest highlights Phil Mickelson’s checklist: ball positioned forward, stance slightly open, early wrist release. Most importantly, it explains what the club needs to do in the sand to create what Phil Mickelson calls the “sand divot.”.

Getting out of a bunker on the green is often a matter of chance. Golf Digest highlights Phil Mickelson’s checklist: ball positioned forward, stance slightly open, early wrist release. Most importantly, it explains what the club needs to do in the sand to create what Phil Mickelson calls the “sand divot.”.

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Phil Mickelson · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

16 minNext Level UpTommy Fleetwood's Short Game: Chip, Bunker, and Long PuttTommy Fleetwood · Intermediate 11 minNext Level UpDeChambeau's Short Game Practice: Chips, Rough, BunkerBryson DeChambeau · Intermediate / Expert 11 minFrom the same proKeep Your Driving Speed: Mickelson's MethodPhil Mickelson · Intermediate / Expert / Seniors

What the lesson shows

Phil Mickelson's checklist for a standard green-side bunker begins with the address: ball positioned far forward in the stance, stance slightly open and early wrist strengthening during the backswing. But to play these shots well, you need to understand what's happening in the sand. He talks about sand divot: The clubhead enters the sand about ten centimeters behind the ball, passes under it, and emerges several centimeters in front of it.

To achieve this, we must first an open clubface, to take advantage of the bounce under the sole: the club glides through the sand instead of digging into it. You then need to a lot of speed in the zone. Phil Mickelson wants to feel his arms extend toward the target as he finishes his swing: that’s the sign that he’s maintained his speed all the way through.

The Exercise, Step by Step

Widen your stance slightly and position the ball slightly forward.
Open the clubface to take advantage of the club's rebound.
Cock your wrists early in the backswing.
Imagine a divot of sand that starts about ten centimeters behind the ball.
Swing faster in the sand to get the club under the ball.
Finish with your arms extended toward the target.

Key Takeaways

Ball positioned forward, slightly open stance, early wrist setup.

The club makes contact about ten centimeters behind the ball.

He goes under the ball and comes out several centimeters in front of it.

Open face to take advantage of the bounce and glide through the sand.

A lot of speed, arms extended toward the target at the finish.

Mistakes to Avoid

Swing with a closed clubface that causes the club to dig into the ground.
Slow down in the sand.
Aim at the ball instead of the sand behind it.
Stop the swing without extending your arms toward the target.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

Sand divots without a ball: enter behind a line, exit in front
Open-face shots while feeling the ball slide off the clubface
Finish with your arms extended toward the target to check your speed

Your Questions

What is Phil Mickelson's sand divot?

The mark left by the club: it enters the sand about ten centimeters behind the ball, passes under it, and emerges several centimeters in front of it.

Why open the clubface in a bunker?

To take advantage of the bounce under the club's sole. He lets it glide through the sand instead of digging into it.

How can you tell if you've maintained enough speed?

Phil Mickelson wants to feel his arms extend toward the target at the finish. That's a sign that he maintained his speed throughout the swing.

What angle should you aim for when playing a green bunker shot?

The ball is positioned far forward in the stance, which is slightly open, with an early wrist cock during the backswing.

Learn More

All “Bunker Shot” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Tommy Fleetwood's Short Game: Chip, Bunker, and Long PuttThree of Fleetwood's pre-shot routines around the green: the “lofted putt” chip, the bunker shot aimed at an impact mark, and the long putt read from the low side. DeChambeau's Short Game Practice: Chips, Rough, BunkerHis typical practice session around the green: three basic chip shots, three shots from the rough handled differently, and in the bunker, controlling the point of impact on the clubface. Justin Rose's Approach to Short Game PlayRose breaks down the short game into a few key principles: a low point under the left armpit, a long or short arc depending on the flag, and compares Seve and Mickelson. Phil MickelsonAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Phil Mickelson). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.