STUDY H PUTTING H IRONS SET-UP H SWING TECHNIQUE
LEARN
STRATEGY
FIND SAFE
PLACES ON
TOUGH PAR 4S
There are three key challenges at the
par-4 5th at Augusta. The fi rst is
avoiding the pair of left fairway
bunkers. The second is fi nding the
fl at part of the fairway. The third is
avoiding the green’s false front. Fall
at any of them, and you’re struggling.
POINT 1 I love my driver, but I
don’t need it here. I’ll take my
3-wood and aim for the fl at part of
the fairway, which will give me an
easier shot into the fl ag. I’ll take a
slightly longer shot from a level lie
than a shorter iron from a hanging lie
any day of the week.
POINT 2 Because of the false front
and the cambered green, I’m aiming
at a 10ft circle in the centre. That also
leaves an uphill putt on most pins.
POINT 3 My main focus is to stay
out of the fairway bunkers. It’s a 315-
yard carry to clear them – a big ask
given that the hole slopes uphill. It’s
tempting to crunch the driver and
take your chances but it’s not worth
it. You absolutely must fi nd the
fairway.
FIVE-MINUTE LESSON
SOREN KJELDSEN
The European Tour professional is known for his amazing recovery skills from the sand.
We quizzed him about what he has worked on in practice to achieve those results.
GW What is the No.1 key to successful bunker play?
SK: “This is actually something that I’ve discussed with a lot of really good bunker players – and the
answer might surprise you. The only thing I practise in the sand is listening to my shots. I immediately
know when I’ve made a good swing and proper contact just by the sound at impact. It’s a distinctive
and solid ‘thump’ as the club goes through sand. If I’ve
got speed and downward movement with the clubhead, then I get that nice quality sound. I don’t get
that sound if I’m too shallow.”
– By Bubba Watson, two-time
Masters champion.
2
3
1
GW What set-up keys do you use to hit good quality splash shots?
SK: “The key for me here is the angle of your shaft at impact. Ideally, the shaft should be angled
slightly away from the target as you hit the sand behind the ball. If you do that, you’ll get more speed
into the shot and produce the ‘thump’ sound that you want as the head slides through the sand.
GW What’s the biggest fl aw you see among amateurs?
SK: “The complete opposite impact to the pros. Many amateurs get the shaft leaning too much
towards the target at impact. When that happens, the club has a tendency to dig with that sharp
leading edge. You really struggle, then, to get the swing speed you need.”
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