Best Bunker Lesson I've Ever Had | with PGA/LPGA Tour Coach Gareth Raflewski

[@daddyharry6065]

Great lesson here. I know cameras can’t be everywhere but it would have been good to see the ball flight & where they landed.

[@bolsbolbol368]

Yes that was maddening wasn't it?

[@aidangriffiths5075]

Its about the technique, not where it lands

[@bantusodaba8753]

Gareth’s explanation are clear and logical.. pressurising the sand

[@vladdrag25]

I never heard anyone explain bunker shots like this, and I wanted to try it. I went to my course today to practice that ‘pressure into the sand’ feel. I hit some very good bunker shots - the high and soft spinners. And like you Matty, it was the first time I hit that shot with any consistency. Just a wonderful bunker tutorial video!!

[@wayneball9079]

The great thing about this video Matt is the more I re-watch it ,the more it sinks in . Thanks

[@Pgdgolfer]

Pressure the sand. Great swing thought. Thanks

[@jdawg9931]

Gareth is the real deal, would love to see an updated chipping lesson with him

[@davidterrie7661]

Never had it explained so clearly. I've always been a good bunker player, but it's been instinct without the why. Can't wait to play with this technique.

[@stephprime]

same here =)

[@BatcatCA]

The videos with Gareth are some of my absolute favourites. He has such a clear, simple way of explaining the concepts. Even on the other side of a video, I can imagine and visualise what he's saying as if I were in the bunker hahaha.

[@xstevex59]

Best bunker lesson ever!

[@stuboy13]

Its time for another Gareth video methinks. These are gold.

[@maamold]

Bunkers are my nemesis, doesn't help that it's winter and they have no sand in them at the courses I play. I will absolutly take this lesson with me next outing.

[@tonybytheway7543]

Best bunker tip I've ever seen. Tried this today and my bunker play was so much more accurate and consistent. Thanks Matt and Gareth, absolutely brilliant!

[@johnk.atchley5079]

Good lesson that supplemented my lessons from Raflewski. I have put his instruction to pound or compress the sand to good use in normal dry sand on the courses I play. What I would like to see is a lesson on playing out of wet sand. Sand can be wet due to recent rain, or, in dry spells, from watering greens, so the bunker at one green will be quite different from the bunker at the next. Also, after rain, bunkers often have a top layer of dry sand, but heavy wet sand below, especially at the low point of the bunker, usually the center.

[@TML34]

I find the biggest problem is using the bounce correctly. Either you dig the leading edge in or skull it over the green.

[@CoryLancasterYT]

I always use the low hands, but now understand what I'm inconsistent in between brilliant shots!

[@jggray]

Put this lesson into play this weekend and hit several close. Pressurizing the sand is the right mental image, thank you!!!

[@edwinlambley2801]

What a fantastic coach. Explains the principals so well. Makes me think how good are club "pro's" you go to for lessons for?

[@danieljd6776]

I saw a video yesterday about how to play a standard green side bunker shot. He said take a square stance, use a square clubface and hit behind the ball and hit as if you're trying to use the sand to throw the ball at the hole. It worked perfectly. Seems like what you guys are doing here for the most part. Interesting how all the previous instruction I got was open it up and cut across hitting 2" behind the ball. Never worked out.

[@jingzee08]

Just gold seeing Matt and Gareth back working together. Pearls of wisdom and insights from Garth! Who would have thought don’t open the clubface too much and not too shallow a shot is not the best way to play sand shots!

[@BlairBN01]

I struggle a lot with bunkers. I think the fear of skulling it 100m over the green means I feel like I have to go soft and shallow on it. This obviously shows force is required, it just needs to be applied in the right place. Nice vid, Matt, cheers.

[@eJunkee]

Best bunker lessons EVER simply excellent.

[@desmonix]

Tested on course and practise bunker. so simple and effective.

[@brianm.9069]

I have always struggled to get my bunker shots elevated and always tried more and more face opening. Now I know why. This is incredible information! Thanks Matt for bringing us Gareth.

[@geoffreypleavin5268]

Wow, great explanation of a concept. I would never of thought this.

[@andy66l97]

Wow the contact sound changed so much through the video, so much better in the 2nd half!

[@Eqnotalent]

The game of opposites. Even in the bunker. Great video

[@vic888tor]

Gareth is awesome and with Matt together, it's really help to translate it to us and make us understand. Great sand lesson!

[@bjrnenermark9113]

Gareth for president. He got all the answers...

[@xMrJanuaryx]

I remember when I made that breakthrough in the bunkers. The other big breakthrough in the bunkers for me was learning to hinge the wrists more than you normally would.

[@jackbowman4788]

Matt-love these videos with Gareth. He has that quiet confidence !

[@dzaino1986]

Amazing back and forth commentary as always, and a great bunker video. Matt, you seem to know all the right questions to ask. Any chance we'll see some pointers for the many folks like me that struggle with the longer fairway bunker shot? Thanks!!

[@johnzell30]

Awesome video, thanks!! Turned a bunker shot with a decent lie into something I actually enjoy now! ...

[@gregjones2623]

The sound Matty Boy, pure. Definitely would have loved a camera angle down the line. If you are able to do a follow up video to explain to us what u guys went over, something so many of us struggle with. And therefor scared to even practice bunker play out of embarrassment or fear of hurting fellow golfers grinding away.

[@pauledw]

Wow, that's just blown my mind as to how your supposed to play bunker shots.. Thanks Matt.

[@ryang1910]

He is my favorite to watch

[@brentninedorf6617]

Very interesting stuff. Always like seeing and hearing points that solidify a thought process. Could see you having that “Aha!” moment there too. Hope it brings more confidence in the bunkers.

[@timtuinier7839]

Love that completely changes my perception of the bunker shots I am normally open face brush the sand to pop it out just never had the stopping power. Will definitely try these out. Thanks Matt and Gareth for the knowledge

[@benmartinez8995]

awesome video Matty this is a game changer because my bunker game is so sporadic and finding this stuff out is gonna save me a couple shots a round!

[@andrewnicholls7720]

This sounds like a game changer for me. My short game sucks, recently I decided to forget everything I knew before about short game techniques and take it back to square 1. I purchased Gareth’s short game series videos from his website and I love them, I can’t wait to try out this technique next. Great stuff Matty!!

[@richardtakai8440]

Just tried this and it is hands down the best bunker tutorial I have ever seen! Thanks!

[@gatorwhiskers9011]

He was one of my favorite guests on that other channel. Fantastic information! Constructive criticism: it would have been nice to see the ball flights, if possible

[@GolfSpyBOS]

Cant wait to try this out. I consider myself decent around the green but I’m not always great out of the bunker. I think with some practice these swing thoughts about pressurizing the sand could be great!

[@austinlauer1910]

Awesome Matty! Need Gareth to come out to the Ocean Course and demonstrate this.

[@edstrazz2758]

Wow, amazing bunker lesson. Thank you!

[@dfull31]

Just discovered you left TXG. Sad day. Good luck on your new adventures. You have a follower And fan with me

[@desmonix]

Can't wait to try this concept out.

[@RogueSquidward]

I think my biggest issue is just staying confident in the bunker. My short game has drastically improved recently but I still catch myself slipping mentally when I don't put the ball where I want to. Keep the course in front of me. Make my swing. Don't make a second sand swing.

[@ianwoollard2063]

Can you please do a video hitting out of bunkers with less sand or compacted sand? My local course has these kinds of bunkers all year round and the intention is to create more of a link’s style of play (Sandringham GC Melbourne Australia FYI) Really like this video, the explanation of putting pressure into the sand is great. Great teachers know how to use the right kind language to make people understand.

[@daveballad6978]

Tried to do this today it worked really well. Will keep trying thanks great video.

[@erik2446]

Awesome! Thanks Matt!

[@tajsportracing]

Awesome video. Would love to see the ball flight and the differences in adjustment you made.

[@MikeinAustin]

This is the first time I’ve ever heard this. You could do a series on this and I would watch it again and again. Especially for different “non-flat” lies or uphill but embedded etc. would love a second camera 20-30 yards away in a PIP sort of method.

[@MikeinAustin]

I shared this with a bunch of friends who have all become followers!

[@gooseGoose-et1wl]

Always great content Matt!!!

[@Brandon-youtube]

Would be great to see a video on hitting out of hard or wet bunkers, I think a lot of us face those regularly

[@deshickey635]

🤯🤯🤯... going to the practice area to try this immediately

[@Moneypenny76]

Thanks Matt. Pure gold in this bunker lesson

[@jacobmccain8082]

Really an interesting video will definitely try this as I normally dig in and really pressure the sand and find myself coming up short on 20 yd bunker shots. Pretty solid below that.

[@barringtonratulangi8704]

This is awesome. Thanks Matt. Looking forward to more of these video

[@333pg333]

Would have loved to see from behind and also hear what Gareth said would happen to the spin with these different shots?

[@TrakkyYT]

How eye opening was this one, wish I saw this before yesterdays comp needed a high floater got a low squirrel killer after thinning it from opening the face 😂 good video Matt

[@mok4026]

Thanks Matt. Excellent video on bunker shots. Can’t wait to practice this technique.

[@pauljgrady3736]

Great video Matt, need all the bunker help I can get!

[@Totschlagen1799]

This one's great Matt, I just got some wedges, previous I only had a PW. So looking forward to using them now :D

[@jayenuu]

I love these videos with Gareth. I wish you could have had a camera down the line so that we could see the results.

[@ThomasPlaysGolf]

Awesome! seriously the best bunker video

[@davidmccarty8293]

Let’s skoooooooo! Awesome bunker vid!

[@christerludvigsen1391]

Amazing, looking forward to try it out

[@itneverends26]

Sick lesson. Definitely going to try pushing down into the sand. Wish I could have seen the ball flights. Great content Matt.

[@scotthansen4692]

really solid lesson and now totally makes sense. Love the walk through the why and how.

[@nickcarlson7356]

Definitely going to have to take these thoughts to the course. Thanks for sharing Matt!

[@mattperzel7847]

The bunkers are horrible in Vancouver most of the year. Any tips for when there isn't a lot of sand in the bunker and its wet and cement like?

[@Aoelx]

Really can’t get my head around this. Sounds like the the club will be digging a lot 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️. Like others have said, would be interesting to get a follow up on this topic. ⛳️

[@timmygolfs]

I've never hit one like that, either. :) great video

[@James__123]

Does the same apply for firmer sand? Completely agree with the fluffy sand, but I think the open face shallow cut is the only way from hard bunkers.

[@FatihPekbas]

Great video thanks. Gotta love the sound of a properly hit sand shot. What do you guys actually mean by „rolling“? Rolling like in rolling your left hand over the right at impact? That would shut the club face, wouldn’t it?

[@GolfLiberty]

Rolling the face open in the backswing, so rotate the forearms to get the face wide open

[@elliotharrison]

Awesome content Matty boy!!!! ❤️

[@dustinmize994]

Great video, didn’t catch what you were actually doing on “roll the forearms”?

[@mikenomikos9040]

Great lesson!

[@taKEOverr_]

debunking a myth, thanks Matt great content as usual !

[@ThunderMk2]

Well Matt, ive two questions.. 1. As your hitting more into the sand are you getting steeper AOA? 2. Dropping the handle creates more loft? Is this just with a club that has allot of loft? Reason i ask ive always found clubs that are more upright hit it higher for me. Hope your well Buddy, great video 👍

[@dsc-nr5zy]

Huh...I never liked the open face bunker shot, but could never figure out why. I think this explains it... the bunkers in my area are all thin layers of sand over hard pack. I feel like I have to hit shots out of green side bunkers like pitch shots off hard pan, with a square face. Thanks for the video!

[@DirtyDandino]

Great lesson. Would have loved a camera pointed down the line to see the outcomes.

[@kdyw]

Great video. Could you elaborate on how you are 'pressurizing' the sand? Are you going shallow but deeper or are you steepening your angle of attack. Can you post DTL views as well. Thanks

[@frankvuletin8700]

I’m a little thick when you were saying put more pressure into the sand we’re you talking with the club or your feet for ground forces

[@GolfLiberty]

With the club

[@truthofthematter2892]

I always play my bunker shots with a square face. In fact, I often wonder if it's necessary to open the club face on any shot. It always feels like it adds an unnecessary direction variable for me.

[@harleydavidson4796]

really enjoyed watching this video especially being a fellow lefty. im curious as to what loft and bounce you were using in what appeared to be a sm9

[@GolfLiberty]

60-10S

[@emendoza88]

Can you explain what the rolling of the forearms meant. And did pressurizing the sand mean your angle of attack was steeper?

[@zacharymilos392]

Love to see Gareth, learn amazing stuff every time. Would enjoy seeing DTL next time.

[@hermanleroux2622]

What about bunkers with wet sand? would love to see what to do in those situations...being from BC. Bunkers always play different because they are wet 60% of the time.

[@jerryledbetter1168]

My home course in Arizona, has hard shallow sand. Almost impossible for me to use the sand properly. Any alternative you could suggest?

[@mackenziecook2119]

so always full swing length but you hit the sand differently? I've had pretty good success with different swing lengths but making sure to really accelerate through the sand. Hesitant to start messing with it :)

[@hurfdurfy8167]

I feel really fortunate, as I've been really solid out of bunkers thanks to watching a lot of Mickelson's tutorials on short game despite only having played for less than 3 years now. I see my friends struggle in bunkers every weekend. Seeing that even a golfer of your skill set has trouble in the bunkers makes me appreciate that part of my game even more!

[@MrRockso99]

Matt- any thought on practicing bunker technique without some of these bunker specific characteristics bleeding into your ball striking.

[@joshheiden4332]

Great job Matt... love watching you and Gareth get to work on these short game episodes! Approximately how open was your club face on these? 0*-30*? Thanks !!

[@GolfLiberty]

Around 20*

[@josephponsoda]

What wedge are you using? What are the specs? Would you change any of the specs to make is easier to get out of the bunker?

[@patrickbarter]

That's awesome

[@fruityone4233]

Super lesson. Any particular thoughts on angle of attack? Steeper to hit the sand harder?

[@GolfLiberty]

Most people need to be more shallow, but depends on the individual

[@random_dad99]

So jealous of sand in a bunker like that. Played yesterday and you could walk on it and it didn’t even move 🤦‍♂️. 👍👍👍

[@timmygolfs]

When Gareth says to put more 'pressure' into the sand, is that specifically with your legs? or the club? or both?

[@GolfLiberty]

Club 👍

[@7777mantle]

Great video Matt super easy to follow and love your reactions. I was hoping you might know if Gareth makes any adjustments for very firm sand. Thank you

[@GolfLiberty]

less open with the club face, use the heel of the club a bit more to get into the sand (also can lean more forward)

[@7777mantle]

@@GolfLiberty thank you Matt the content on your new channel is top level