Mark Moffatt plays out of a fairway bunker with a hybrid.
Using a hybrid is the easiest way to play out of a fairway bunker because of the characteristics of the club. With a hybrid you have a wide bottom or sole on the club. This prohibits the club from digging down into the sand too much and if you open the clubface a little you can hit just behind the ball and the club will glide along the top of the sand instead of digging into it.
The challenge with a hybrid happens when you open the clubface. If you try to pick the ball clean off the sand you may hit it a little high on the ball and you will not get it out of the bunker. The wide sole of the hybrid makes the sand our friend, so go ahead and hit the sand a little behind the ball.
With the clubface a little open you are going to aim a little left and place the ball position just slightly forward of center. When you swing, go ahead and hit the sand and swing through, finishing with your weight on the lead leg (left leg for right-handed golfers).
The next time you are in a fairway bunker don’t hesitate to use a hybrid to get out of trouble.
Mark Moffatt is director of instruction at Shadow Wood Country Club. He can be reached at moffatt@swspotlight.com