How to play out of solid bunkers
With our bunkers being rather solid at present, I am often asked how to play out of them. The problem I hear the most is that due to the lack of loose sand on the surface, you can't get 'underneath it'.
If you're using a standard sand wedge it will be very difficult to get 'underneath it', because the sole of the club is designed to dig into loose sand, and to bounce off the compacted sand beneath, lifting the ball out on a cushion of sand. Now if there is no loose sand and the compacted layer is on the top, you can see the problem; the sand iron will just bounce off the solid surface and thin or 'blade' the ball. The traditional opening of the club face is not good off a bare lie either, because this increases the bounce angle on the sole of the club so it will bounce off even more.
'But I need to open the face to get enough loft to get the ball out'
Use a wedge with more loft to begin with, like a 58 of a 60 degree, so you don't need to open the face. Choose one with a low bounce option so that the wedge will get 'underneath it' without bouncing off.
Finally, use a shorter back swing and hit closer behind the ball. This is all great advice for adapting your bunker technique away from the traditional splash shot, and toward a method to better suit the conditions you face every week.
If you'd like a one-to-one lesson, please get in touch here.
The Open
Phil Mickelson has had a superb start to his Open Championship campaign, with a solid 63 on day one followed by a 69 today to give him a total of 10-under-par, one ahead of Henrik Stenson. Troon is not playing anywhere near as tough as it usually does but with the forecast of lots of wind, I think it will catch quite a few players out. It is really hard to predict a winner until it gets to the afternoon on Sunday.
If you fancy your chances around Royal Troon then don't forget we have it on the GC2 upstairs. You can even have a go at the magical par-3 8th - the Postage Stamp. Get in touch here to reserve a session in the studio.
The first 9-hole competition is on Friday, 22 July and will be a 9-hole white-tee stableford. You can put your name down on the BRS or you can ask us in the shop. The shop will be open even later than normal so that you can sign in. The cost is £3 per player including 2s, and this competition is open to all membership categories.
It's a big presentation on Saturday as we haven't had one for six weeks. If you have won a prize please turn up at 6pm wearing jacket and tie to receive your voucher from the captain. Click here to see a list of the prize winners and also unclaimed vouchers - turn up and get them.
Yet again we have to rearrange The Heyrose Bowl due to flooded greens. It is well worth playing in any of the four rounds of The Jubilee that you can, because there are overall prizes for those players who do manage all four rounds, and then there are day prizes that the winners of the overall prizes are unable to win - i.e. you can't win both.
Brian Cole won Sunday's Pro's Stableford with 38 points, Ray Juskiw finished second on 36 points beating Gareth Jones and John Seaton on a card play-off. There were nine 2s worth £6.44 each. Click here to see the full results.
Paul Sloane won Division One in Wednesday's Medal with a nett 68. Division Two was won by Chris Connolly with a nett 70 and Darren Bourne won Division Three with a nett 68. There were only four 2s worth a very profitable £16.75 each.
