Met Golfer March 2026Stand Tall

MET METHODSStand TallHitting the ball first is crucial on any iron shot, but it’s especially so out of a fairway bunker.By Corey Layton, PGA

When you find yourself in a fairway bunker between 100 and 200 yards from the hole, there are a few simple keys to remember to ensure you make ball-first contact to get you back to the fairway or on the green.
The most important key to this shot is setup, which has to be tall and steady to get that ball first contact and avoid hitting behind the ball. Take your normal setup and normal stance, then narrow your feet a little bit, stand slightly closer to the ball, and choke up on your grip. As a result, you’ll get taller and stay tall throughout the shot. It’s very important that we shift our weight to our lead side.
By keeping your body tall and making sure you don’t fall back, you’ll make great contact to advance the ball toward your target. Keep this in mind next time you find yourself in a fairway bunker.
Corey Layton is the head golf professional at Atlantic Golf Club in Bridgehampton, N.Y.

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