Golf Tip from the Pro
Greenside Bunker - Plugged Lie
One of the biggest disappointments while playing golf is to hit your ball into a greenside bunker and then discover that the ball is plugged. With a normal greenside bunker shot it is relatively easy to get the ball onto the green with some control.
With this shot the clubface is kept open to utilise the bounce of the club. However when the ball is plugged the big difference is to now use the leading edge of the club making it cut down into the sand to reach the bottom of the ball.
In order to do this the clubface has to be set squarely to the ball or even slightly closed (picture1). In relation to the set up the ball will be positioned in the middle of the stance with the weight favouring the front foot.
It is also important to have the feet wriggled down into the sand, this will make it easier to hit down and help promote good balance throughout the shot.
During the backswing there has to be an early wrist break (picture2) to enable the steep angle of attack on the ball.
Make sure to accelerate through impact to enable the ball to pop out.With a plugged lie the ball will come out with a lot of topspin unlike a normal bunker shot.
Sean Cotter is the Golf Professional at Mount Juliet Golf Club, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny. Sean provides Golf Tuition through the Mount Juliet Golf Academy. Phone 056 777 3071 for details of Golf Tuition at Mount Juliet.
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