I happen to like the fairway bunker, when my ball is sitting pretty. If it isn’t, I simply punch it out with a PW…no fun, but a smart play.
But in this scenario, it’s sitting pretty and the lip is low. Join me as I assess my options.
The key is to proceed with good course management protocols. So instead of simply grabbing a club and smacking down the fairway, I assess the situation. Up near the green, I see trouble on either side, but a generous runway to a back pin. If I can get my ball to land on the front, it should roll back toward the pin.
Even if I miss the shot, by selecting my hybrid, my 170-175 club, and setting up with good alignment, my miss will be up past the trouble.
I have a confident plan…both A and B scenarios.
For the set up:
I stand a bit taller to encourage ball-first contact. I play the ball just a tad back of upper center, which is where I would normally play this club. As I am focusing on my land spot in my mind’s eye, I let her rip.Okay, I missed right of my target. But because I selected the right club, I am not short and in the greenside bunker. Instead, I roll past it, and I am putting for birdie!