Phil Mickelson: Bunker Play

Here is another great video from Phil Mickelson on the Bunker Shot. In a previous posting (here), I looked at Phil's chipping style, called "hinge-and-hold". What's interesting about Phil's bunker play is that he uses the same hinge-and-hold style!

Some notes from the video:

• As bunker play increases so does driver performance (bunker play rhythm improves driving).
• Average bunker play on tour takes place from 10 yards (get it inside the three foot circle, Phil's record is 28 in a row and he tries to break his record every week).
• Typical concerns (how far should I hit behind the ball, what should be my angle of attack, etc.) don't matter! What matters is that you continue the emotion through the shot.
• Break wrists early like the hinge-and-hold, continue the hands into the finish.
• Bunker play is just like chipping and putting!
• Some adjustments need to be made for up-hill and downhill lies but it's the same concept as the lob shot (discussed in the hinge-and-hold video)
• Develop the rhythm and basic motion.

Basic Bunker Shot setup:

1. Play ball off front heel.
2. Open Face.
3. Then adjust the body.
4. Weight slightly forward.

Uphill Buried Lie setup:

1. "Stick" club into the ground.
2. Keep leading with hands.
3. Arm and club stay in straight line.
4. Move weight forward.

Downhill Buried Lie setup:

1. Move weight forward.
2. "Stick" club into sand.
3. Hands stay ahead of club.
4. Play ball forward.

One obvious and important point is that Phil really does practice and tries to set personal records. How do you get to win a British Open? Practice, practice, practice!