[Kim Haneul's FunFun Golf]⑭ "Even Tour Players Find It Difficult"

Check Ball Condition and Lip Height When Hitting Fairway Bunker Shots
Maintain Swing Speed and Use Full Swing Rather Than Control Shot

When a good tee shot lands in a fairway bunker, worry immediately arises. Even professional tour players find fairway bunker shots challenging. Even when they think they've hit the ball accurately, the distance often falls far short. Excessive force can cause mishits such as hitting the ground behind the ball or topping it. A change in mindset is necessary. Because the lip of a fairway bunker is lower than that of a greenside bunker, it is an obstacle that can be sufficiently recovered from.

First, when the ball lands in a fairway bunker, you need to carefully assess the current situation. Check whether the ball is gently resting on the sand or buried in it. Also, calculate the height of the bunker lip. If the lip is high, don't be greedy; focus on escaping by using a club with a higher loft.

When taking a bunker shot, always use one club more than usual. Bury both feet in the sand to firmly stabilize your lower body. Distribute your weight evenly, 50-50. Grip the club lower than usual. Position the ball in the center of your stance or about one ball to the right. It is better to slightly close the clubface.

In a fairway bunker, you should avoid hitting the sand. You need to approach the shot with the mindset of striking the ball thinly. Steep swings are a no-go for fairway bunker shots. You should create a smooth, sweeping swing path. In trouble situations, hitting the sweet spot is the priority, so reduce weight transfer and focus on an upper-body dominant swing. Swing with the feeling that your head and body stay as much as possible over the ball.

Many people advise playing a control shot in a fairway bunker, but I think differently. Without sufficient practice, the chance of a mishit increases. Rather, a full swing is better. Do not reduce your swing speed. Attempting a half-hearted three-quarter swing often leads to mistakes. Above all, in a fairway bunker, it is important to swing with confidence.

Sportainer and former 14-time winner on the Korea-Japan Tour