How to Get more Distance from the Fairway Bunker

Lots of teachers might tell you to hit with a descending blow from a fairway bunker. When I was in college, I was doing the same thing. But I wasn't getting enough distance that I wanted. I often had to take more distance. That's why you need to take 1 or 2 more clubs. But if you feel like you are  losing more distance than that, you might be doing something wrong.

 

I was surprised to hear what Jack Nicklaus said about hitting faiwary bunker. I finally understood what he wanted to say. 

 

Sweep the Ball off the Sand

If you hit it with a descending blow or steep angle approach into the ball, the ball will hit the sand before it takes off. When this happens, the sand will absorb some of the power you put into the sand. So you lose distance. Tiger Woods said the key to getting more distance from a fairway bunker is to try to limit the contact with the sand as little as possible. So if you need to get more distance, don't try to hit down on the ball. You should sweep the ball off the sand instead. But if you have a bad lie in sand, forget about sweeping it.

 

Reference: http://www.golfsamurai.net/fault-fix/tips-fairway-bunker-shot3.htm