Gary Player reveals his secrets to elite bunker play

Golf instruction is always changing, but the best advice is timeless. In GOLF.com’s new series, Timeless Tips, we’re highlighting the greatest advice from teachers and players in the pages of GOLF Magazine. Today look back at the secrets of Gary Player’s bunker from our March 1989 issue. For unlimited access to GOLF Magazine’s digital archive, join Inside GOLF today; you’ll enjoy $140 worth for just $39.99 per year.

Gary Player is known as many things – a great champion, a world traveler, an unparalleled storyteller – but the sometimes overlooked elite bunker player. While his game was consistent throughout his career, his bunker game often stood out.

That’s a concept unknown to many recreational players. Bunkers are seen as scorecard killers for many weekend soldiers, and they look to avoid them at all costs.

That was not the case with the Black Knight. Although he may not have intended it for in the living quarters, he is sure that he was not ashamed when he found himself in the sand.

This success can be attributed to a fearless attitude and excellent methods. And while we can’t teach the Player’s fearlessness, we can give you insight into his strategy.

Check out below some of the best Player’s Secrets from the sand from the March 1989 issue of GOLF Magazine.

Gary Player’s house secrets

I am happy that many top players and teachers consider me the best player ever. I am too humble to admit, but such a standard would put me in esteemed company.

My list of sand geniuses includes some well-known players, such as Bobby Locke, Julius Boros, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Chi Chi Rodriguez and Seve Ballesteros. I also count Jerry Barber, Norman von Nida and Doug Ford among the lesser known, but no less talented sand masters.

If I’m one of the greats, it’s for one simple reason: No bunker shot has ever scared me, and no one ever will. The key to this feat is practice.

I practiced and tried from hundreds of lies with various variations, basically building a data bank in my memory that I can call up no matter what kind of sand I’m dealing with. More importantly, I’ve developed my imagination to the point where I’m confident that I can think my way out of any accommodation, no matter how difficult the lie.

I think you get the message: There are no shortcuts; you must practice. Start with the basics – described below – and work your way up the knowledge ladder, adding solid shots to your collection.

The basics

First things first: There is a club designed specifically for bunkers, so use it. The sand wedge should have a large sole, with its leading edge higher than the back of the flange. This angle is called “bounce”. Wedges vary in their amount of bounce, where larger bounces tend to create softer sand. The sole will slide into the sand, pushing it up and releasing the ball.

Which raises another important point: Unless you’re hitting the club out of a sand wedge — in a fairway bunker, for example — the club doesn’t hit the ball. The team hits the sand, which moves the ball. If you don’t understand this, you will have trouble with all the following advice.

I said before confidence is important to play with sand. Approach every shot of the lodge with the feeling that you are going to pierce it. Increase your confidence by using your basic flexibility, just to adjust for certain situations.

Setting up

In the green basement, take an open stance: Point your feet, knees, hips and shoulders to the left of the target. (You can’t dig your feet too deep, otherwise you’ll limit leg action and disrupt your balance.) And open the clubface to make getting into the sand easier.

The open stance will force you to swing out of line and back and cut the ball downhill. This puts a cut-spin on the ball, so it will fly left to right. Compensate for that by aiming to the left of the target. But only hours of practice will teach how far to aim, swing length depends on the shot.

For shorter shots, open your stance and clubface higher; this creates a higher, shorter shot. For longer shots, set your body and club closer to the square.

The swing

While you should use the | basic turning techniques, some modifications are required.

To face a clean lie – where the ball sits high in the sand – your swing should be shallow, almost U-shaped. Put about 60 percent of your weight on the left foot and swing the club primarily with your arms.

Once the ball is buried, make a V-shaped swing up and down. Set the clubface square; put 75 percent of your weight on the left foot; cock your wrists early in the backswing and pull the club down with your hands.

Once you know these two images well, try them in other situations. For example, a V-shaped turn is useful for very short sand shots; the same action that “stabs” the ball into a buried lie also brings it up to land and stop quickly. The U-shaped swing is great for long bunker shots when you have to make a full swing.

The position of the ball can also help. You can hit a high shot by playing the ball forward in your stance, starting with your hands behind your back and keeping more weight on your right foot. Reverse those steps for a low shot (which also rolls more after landing).

As your knowledge and confidence grows, you should try. On the fairway just off the green, try to get the ball out. A putter may find a wire when faced with a steep shot in hard sand.

I’m against chipping in the sand on the greenside. Trying to intercept the ball is a low-percentage shot, and you’re likely to poke it, hit it fat or catch it short. Don’t do it.

Accommodations at Fairway

First, use a club with enough loft to get past the lip; even if you end up running out of green, at least you’ll get out of the trap. Second, hit the ball cleanly; don’t hit the sand. Third, when hitting the fairway wood, focus on the front of the ball; this promotes a sweeping hit. Now it’s up to you.

Practice, build your confidence in the sand, and your whole game will improve.