Golf Tips: Bunker Putts

On a weekend round a couple of days ago I watched a cagey veteran golfer deal with what looked to be a near impossible situation.  He was in a bunker above the green on the 12th hole.  He was short-sided and the green between the bunker and the pin was severely downhill.  I could camp there with 100 balls and a sand wedge, and never get one within 10 feet of the hole.  But the shot this wise player played did just that.  In fact, he got it to three feet and made par.  I was impressed and knew right away what this week's Tuesday Tip would be! Bunker Putt When you find a greenside bunker be sure to examine your situation closely.  Some bunkers are designed without a lip.  If that is the case, a putter can be an option, and a good one. That impressive bunker shot I watched this past weekend was a bunker putt.  The player had about three feet of sand, then some fringe and then about 8-10 feet of downhill green.  He putted it nicely, getting the ball just out of the bunker and onto the downhill fringe where it trickled onto the green and nicely rolled with great pace to about three feet from the cup.  Par. Putting out of the sand isn't terribly difficult.  The sand does slow the ball down so a little more pop is needed to get it out. Try it!