Bunker shot Wedges Intermediate ⏱ 6 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Gary Player's Bunker Play: Three Lies, Three Shots

Name: Gary Player's Bunker Play: Three Lies, Three Shots
Uploaded: 2012-07-22T12:00:00+00:00
Duration: 5 min 49 s
Channel: Gary Player
Description: In the Golf Zone at the Open at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, Gary Player steps into a bunker known as the Road Hole and plays in front of the crowd, sharing anecdotes along the way. He demonstrates different ways to play the bunker shot depending on the lie and debunks a common misconception among weekend golfers.

In the Golf Zone at the Open at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, Gary Player steps into a bunker known as the Road Hole and plays in front of the crowd, sharing anecdotes along the way. He demonstrates different ways to play the bunker shot depending on the lie and debunks a common misconception among weekend golfers.

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Gary Player · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

16 minSame problemTommy Fleetwood's Short Game: Chip, Bunker, and Long PuttTommy Fleetwood · Intermediate 11 minSame problemDeChambeau's Short Game Practice: Chips, Rough, BunkerBryson DeChambeau · Intermediate / Expert 4 minFrom the same proGary Player Road, Hole at St. Andrews: Playing the 17thGary Player · Intermediate / Expert

What the lesson shows

Gary Player starts by preparing the bunker: he turns the rake over to rake the sand. Then he places three different types of lees: a normal ball, a ball buried in the sand, and a ball placed high on the sand. On the buried ball, he doesn't finish at all: he keeps the clubface square and strikes the ball sharply. He then points out the mistake made by the weekend golfer, who thinks he has to blast the sand away: on the contrary, you have to play gently, the club speeds up, and you can feel the backspin when you strike the ball on the downswing. With a normal ball, he opens the clubface.

For the toughest bunker—the one he says 99% of players wouldn't be able to get out of—he doesn't usually stand there: hands behind the ball, he works with his wrists instead of pulling the club back with his arms straight. Between shots, he recounts his early days charging 50 cents per lesson, the bet he won by sinking three balls in a row, and his motto: the more you practice, the luckier you get. He finishes with a little chip shot that lands “like a butterfly.”.

The Exercise, Step by Step

Look at the lie before choosing your shot.
On a normal shot, open the clubface and strike the sand with a follow-through.
On a low ball, hit it sharply, without finishing.
Don't force it: swing gently and let the club pick up speed.
In a very deep bunker, place your hands behind the ball and cock your wrists.
Rake the bunker by turning the rake over.

Key Takeaways

The pitcher decides on the pitch: a regular pitch, a ground ball, or a high pitch.

Ground ball: a sharp shot, no finish.

Play smoothly—let the club do the work—rather than forcing the shot.

Standard shot: Open the clubface.

Very difficult bunker shot: hands behind the ball and active wrists.

Rake the bunker by turning the rake over.

Mistakes to Avoid

To want to blast through the sand with all one's might.
Play a buried ball and a placed ball the same way.
Pull the club back with straight arms in a deep bunker instead of cocking your wrists.
Forgetting to rake the bunker properly.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

Three balls in three lies: normal, buried, and high
Smooth starts as you feel the car pick up speed
Unfinished shots on ground balls with a finish

Your Questions

How does Gary Player get a buried ball out?

He takes a sharp swing, without any finish, keeping the clubface square. He acknowledges that the ball doesn't rise easily from this lie.

Should you hit it hard from the bunker?

No, that's the mistake he sees weekend golfers making. Gary Player plays smoothly, with a club that gains speed, and feels the backspin when he strikes the ball on the downswing.

What is he doing in such a difficult bunker?

He doesn't take his usual stance: hands behind the ball and wrists cocked, rather than arms extended. He warns that this shot will seem confusing to most amateurs.

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. Gary PlayerAll of his lessons

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