This time last year we introduced you to a new way of playing your bunker shots.  Here at the Tournament Players Institute we have been advocating this technique for a couple of years now. 

As it seems to have been picked up by some of the leading golf periodicals it seems appropriate that we take another look at it ourselves.

So, what have we all been taught (over the years) about playing a bunker shot? Tell me if this sounds familiar to any of you.

1, Clubface open (to increase loft) - Oh! yes, this is going to change  the bounce characteristics of the club, so do it at your own peril!.

2, Body and stance alignment, 45 degrees to the left of the target (assuming you play right handed)

3, Weight distribution 60% left leg 40% right leg.

4, Swing path should be out-to-in (relative to target) and along the stance alignment.

It all makes perfect sense - until you try it out, right, and find the ball is still stuck on the beach and starring you in the face!

Well, is it any wonder? You have your body pointing in one direct, your clubface pointing in another and your weight distribution so positioned, so as to destroy any of the above if you have any lateral weight shift during the downward- forward movement of the club.

A. The most important thing to remember when you play a bunker shot is to use the appropriate club. One with sufficient loft and bounce for correct results - from correct technique.  We advocate that you have at the very least, 56 degrees of loft and a minimum of 12 degrees of bounce.  If I was to go further with this comment I would encourage 80% of the golfing populous to have at least 58 degrees of loft on their Sand wedge. 

B. If we use the scientific research that Dave Pelz has conducted and released, we realize that the clubface has more impact on where the ball goes than the swing path, so, if the club face is open at address, guess what, the ball is going right of target - day-in-day-out.

Another thing that get's overlooked all too often, is that when we open the clubface of a sand wedge we are also changing the bounce configuration - not necessarily a good thing!!!

So here is a very brief introduction to guaranteed success when playing a green side bunker shot.

1. Point the clubface at the target (very very important - point the clubface where you want the ball to go!!! - nuff said about that)

2. Hands should be opposite the club head at address. (not in front as per traditional thinking)

3. Ball position at the bottom of your swing. This is usually opposite your spine but make a few swings in your practice bunker to find out where the club  consistently strikes the sand at impact and position the ball there.

4. Feet - shoulder width apart and at least a half inch below the surface of the sand (lowers center of gravity, provides firm foundation, provides information of sand conditions, encourages club to be at the correct height during impact - 1/2" below the ball)

5. Body and stance alignment parallel to your intended target (this maybe the flag or chosen landing area)

6. Weight distribution should be 75%-80% on your right leg 25%-20% on your left leg.   - Yes Really!

7. Make your swing / swing path in the direction of the clubface - the direction of your target

7. Keeping your weight ABSOLUTLEY on your right leg during dynamic movement, make a 9 o'clock backswing with full wrist set and then rotate around your right hip (keeping the weight on it) and allow the club to slip under the ball - again, it is imperative that your weight remain on your right leg during this.  NO LATERAL WEIGHT TRANSFER AT ALL!!!

8. Rotate your body to face the target and be as committed to this as you can be - during the swing.  It is the turning motion of your entire body that provides the power to get the ball up and out of the bunker.

9.  Well, "9" is the "Secret Sauce" and you have to visit us to find out what it is. Oh and the "Meet and Greet" is free, but don't tell everyone....!

I really enjoyed the clinic and learned a lot. The short game is the most important part of a golfers game. The evaluation on the second day made me realize my strengths and weaknesses on a very specific level. That has allowed me to go out and practice exactly what I am struggling with most. I really enjoyed being able to go out to Fairfax National and play 200 yards and in. That is a great way to work on your short game and see your progress in action. One area that helped me the most was the discipline of the shot routine.

Never having played a competitive round of golf, I didn’t know how to conduct a productive practice. I’ve been going by the seat of my pants for three years, doing what I thought was right but not knowing for sure. After attending the Tournament Players Institute, I am now able to put together an effective and efficient practice plan. I know what skills and drills will have the biggest impact on my players’ games and thus our team’s success. I know how important the process is and I am able to develop practices that have a distinct purpose and goal. I am a more confident golf coach.

 “This program fits perfectly with our philospohy. From the first day we emphasize the importance of managing the short game and the mental game. We were looking for a way to have all the players get together to improve as individuals while working together in a team camp model similiar to other sports. John and Chris have built that program!

As a new coach this has directly helped my ability to design and deliver clear, concise concepts for my players that will directly benefit thier ability to compete.

Who wouldn't want their kids to develop and feel confident in their short game! Not only does this program do that directly, but it gives me the tools to support that emphasis throughout the entire regular season and into the post season tournaments.

We are a proud program in a competitive district with a tradition of winning team and individual championships in the Northern Region. I believe this program will help our golfers continue to compete at that regional and state level."

I was blown away! I had no idea it would be a program this extensive. You guys provide an enormous amount of leading edge instruction, with all the latest tools (video, computer analysis of putting, the master club fitter to aid players in fitting wedges and putters, etc).

I can’t believe your doing all this over 2 days for the cost of a driver!

There’s no question having coached for many years in the county that this is the best local program I’ve seen for our players; and we have had a lot of great teams and individual champions over the years. 

Langley will be strongly encouraging our parents to support the attendance of all of our players!” 

Al Berg, Langley High School, Varsity Golf Coach

The fastest two hours of my life! 

The time I spent with John and Chris totally rejuvenated my excitement for the game and made me aware of what I was doing and what I could change - by doing nothing more than observing the results of my shots.   The next time I went out and played I improved my score by 8 strokes!  And I didn't have to change ANY part of my technique, just my thinking!  How easy is that?

And the best part about it?  My initial session was a meet and greet and an evaluation and it was completely free!

These guy's invested 2 hours of their own time to best evaluate my golf game and provide me with the simplest way to get better - faster.  

The Putter Evaluation is the coolest thing I have ever seen and the MR3 Loft and Lie Machine is state of the art.   I visited The Tournament Players Institute because I had heard about how unique and thorough these guy's are.   I had been to a couple of well known local pro's in an effort to figure out my putting stroke but nothing really worked and I struggled to understand what I was doing wrong and how I was really supposed to practice and how to gauge my improvement.

The guy's helped me understand that my actual putting stroke wasn't that bad and a change to my ball position and an increase in loft to my putter had me getting the ball rolling again.  It’s nice to know what my individual tendencies are, how to identify them and what tools I can use to help my practice be more aligned to the "secret sauce" they have.

Thanks for introducing me to”R.A.C.S.S" guy’s I learned how to provide my own answers to my own questions.

Dave,

Chris and John are way ahead of the curve  with their Short Game Academy. 

I was having difficulty in knowing what club to use around the greens.  They took the time to look at my clubs and helped me understand what the difference between each one should be.  I soon got the answer to my questions when I found out that two of my wedges had the same lofts even though they were supposed to be different.  No wonder I was hitting them the same distances!

They took the time to show me the information, listened to my questions and concerns and helped me figure out what would best work for my game.  I even got to be involved and learn how to bend the loft and lie of my own irons.  

For any ladies that are interested in really getting better, it helps if you have a better understanding of how your clubs work for you and how to work with them.

Thanks TPI  you rock!

My experience taking short game lessons from the professionals at the Players Tournament Institute was outstanding!   I’ve been attempting for years to break a score of 90 and within a month of when I started taking lessons I shot an 86 thanks to the techniques and practices of the PTI.  Using the latest technologies and know how these guys really  are able to pin point those specific aspects of your game and equipment which will rapidly improve your golf scores.  Best of all their enthusiasm and ability to communicate their points in an  manner specific to their audience’s age and/or ability allows for fun and enjoyable lessons.

Senior Vice President/Controller

American Bankers Association