Putting is pretty straight-forward if you’ve played golf for any amount of time, but other than this facet of the short game, what’s yours?
Mine are the bunker shot and coming in second, the lob shot, probably (unsurprisingly) because they both use something close to if not the full swing motion.
To be honest, I have always been impatient with the short game, likely because I’m a big-picture person and detest getting bogged down with minutia, personality-wise.
I love to cook, but the actual cooking part is what I love – the prep work, I absolutely abhor – however, as with the short game in golf, it is something that must be done, so when I cook each day, I am meticulous in my prepping, even as much as I can’t stand it. I find that putting on some good music in the kitchen helps me get through it.
So, even though I’d rather be hitting balls, if I’m going to play golf regularly and care about score, I’m spending a good deal of time on the short game.
DJ’s Setup – Standard Bunker Shot
I got very good at bunker play back in the day because, whenever I was practicing my short game, I invariably gravitated towards that and the greenside lob shots because, even though the distances were much shorter than from the tee and fairway, you’re still getting to make swings.
The funny thing is, they’re the most dangerous short game shots because if you catch that ball thin on either one, your next shot is almost certainly going to be another full swing!
With practice however, they become very enjoyable parts of the short game, and you can tell that many pros also love these parts of the short game.
Certain players used to actually aim for the greenside bunkers on dangerous approaches because for them, just about any bunker shot was a chance for an up-and-in and almost guaranteed money for an up-and-down.
Once figure out how to assess a greenside lob or bunker shot, it becomes a fun game of “how close to the hole can I get this, if not in?”
For me, bunker shots are almost like basketball free-throws in that, once you master the fundamentals, you never really lose it.
I have shared the clip from the time, back in 2013 when I was preparing to shoot a short game video, I set up the camera and was going to hit a couple of bunker shots to warm up, as I hadn’t practiced it in some time.
This was my first swing of the day in a bunker:
WAX Golf 
being excellent at bunkers & lobs effectively expands your “green” size for approach shots doesn’t it
also love the free throw analogy – something people dread practicing but pays off like crazy in the clutch
You’ll like this story – my first yr playing ball in the 10h grade on the junior varsity, I used to sneak into the gym before classes to practice. Rode the bench mostly that year but one game, there was a brouhaha on the court late 4th quarter, players ejected, my team ended up with five technical free throws. Coach looked down the bench and said, “Watts – go take the throws.”
I walked out there cold, hadn’t played a minute, and drained the five. Instant legend status. Practice your free-throws!!
that’s an incredible debut off the bench hahaha, designated free throw shooter like a kicker
LOL, not exactly a debut – I had played sparse minutes in games here and there, so it wasn’t my first time on the court. That game, definitely. Nerves were jangling, but I took my bounces, spun the ball and did what I had done thousands of times by myself in the gym. 🙂
my favorite shot is the chip to 3 foot from the pin, but will admit there is something thrilling to hitting and holing a good sandshot. Unfortunately not too many as my course doesn’t have much sand and the bunkers that do are full of stones haha
To be honest, you have to play pretty nice courses anywhere to get the types of bunkers that the pros play from. I prefer the scrappy bunkers – they’re supposed to be hazards, not bail-outs or easy outs.
totally agree, when I’ve played at the better courses sand shots are too easy. Im fine with scrappy bunkers too as they’re hazards just dont want stones to damage my clubs.
totally agree, when I’ve played at the better courses sand shots are too easy. Im fine with scrappy bunkers too as they’re hazards just dont want stones to damage my clubs.