Sergio Goes To The Beach
During a recent photo shoot with the editors of Golf Digest, Sergio did some great work demonstrating a few of his best tips for getting out of a bunker. It was a time-consuming but very worthwhile day, and the editors and photographer did a wonderful job.
I thought you’d enjoy seeing the article in the attached file. The stop-action, frame-by-frame photos capture weight distribution, Sergio’s stance and how he uses his wrists, arms, shoulders and leg action to make the shot work.
Let me know what you think. And, yes, you’ll see me in a few of the photos as we work on technique. I hope you’ll buy the issue…all the latest equipment for 2010 is covered in depth by the editors of Golf Digest magazine. The equipment just keeps getting better and better!
click here for downloadable/printable PDF of the article
Hi Stan,
I’ve read all of your books and have really seen improvement in my short game overall. One problem I’m having though is that although I can consistently get out of the bunker, I have trouble controlling distance, particularly on longer bunker shots. It seems like I tend to hit every bunker shot the same distance. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Nollie,
Thank you for picking up my books and trying the methods that I teach.
I have to say deep fluffy sand is a tough shot. I believe your old wedge is working neat for you because these conditions require a wedge with a lot of bounce. I am pretty sure the old Wilson models had a lot. As far as technique changes for fluffy sand, it is OK to make a bigger & wider swing with your arms in order to create more speed through impact. You will need to make contact with the sand a little farther from the ball and use lots of bounce at impact. Remember: allowing the club head to catch up to the grip end of the club at impact gives you at least as much bounce as the club was designed with. If you pull the grip past the ball before contact you are reducing bounce and your club will always dig more then you desire in the soft sand.
Thanks an keep me posted.
Stan
I have your first three books and have benefitted from them all. However, I (and many of my fellow club members) are having a devil of a time getting out of our bunkers. It seems the problem is with the texture of the sand. It is light, fluffy, and deep and does not compact. I have a bunch of wedges, including two Scratch wedges with your initials on them. The latter two are ground away at the heel. However, I have the greatest success using the first thing I ever won in golf…a 1962 Wilson Staff Dynapower sand wedge. The grooves are worn and the name on the sole is almost completely gone. It has a swingweight of E-0. Does it make sense to you why this club works? Do you have any suggestions about how to approach playing out of this kind of sand?
Thank you for your consideration.
Thanks, Stan. Great stuff as usual!