#1 Toughest Shot In Golf – Bunker Blast From A Downhill Lie.
This shot’s reputation as the toughest shot in golf is well earned. It’s hard enough for many weekend golfers to escape a bunker in one. But adding a downhill lie into the mix blows your mind. If you’re not careful with this shot, you’ll hit a screaming skull that flies over the green into another bunker. This isn’t a shot that golfers look forward to with relish.
Below are six keys to executing a bunker blast from a downhill lie:
- Take a wider stance than normal
- Dig your feet into the sand
- Align your shoulders with the slope
- Open the clubface
- Cock your wrists quickly
- Make your normal bunker swing
The big errors here are trying to swing too hard and trying to cut under the ball to give it loft. These errors can doom your shot.
For starters, take a wider stance than normal and dig your feet into the ground a bit. These adjustments provide stability and balance. They are harder than normal to maintain when swinging from a downslope.
Open your stance about 20 degrees but play the ball in the middle. Now align your shoulders with the bunker’s downslope. This is critical.
Open your clubface a bit, cock your wrists quickly, and take your normal swing. The ball will come out lower and with much less spin that usual. So plan for the extra roll
Many golfers use a 60-degree wedge here. Others use their sand wedge. Practice and experience will tell you which club use.
Hitting from the downslope of a bunker can give you fits. Fortunately, you’re not likely to have this shot too often. Keep our golf tips in mind and you’ll escape in one.
This ends our series on the 20 toughest shots in golf. Some of you may disagree with our rankings of each shot, but one thing is for sure. They all tax your skills as a golfer. Next time we’ll start a series on the scariest shots in golf.