Browsing: fairway

Golf instruction is ever-evolving, but the best advice stands the test of time. In GOLF.com’s new series, Timeless Tips, we’re highlighting some of the greatest advice teachers and players have dispensed in the pages of GOLF Magazine. Today we have a fairway bunker tip from Gary Player from our June 1971 issue.

Fairway bunkers are scary hazards. With deep valleys and high lips, reaching the green feels all but impossible. Heck, sometimes just getting out feels like a win.

When you’re in the fairway bunker, you’ve got to be extremely precise. If your contact is anything but near perfection, the ball will not react the way you need it to. It’s a shot that most recreational players have little idea how to hit. They simply swing and hope.

It doesn’t have to be this way, though. With a few technique adjustments, you can hit fairway bunker shots that will make your playing partners swoon.

In the text below, we’ve pulled an article from the June 1971 issue of GOLF Magazine in which Gary Player shares his best advice for hitting from a fairway bunker. Follow it and your struggles from the sand traps off the fairway will be a thing of the past.

Gary Player’s fairway bunker advice

I’ve seen people enter the fairway bunker as though they were stepping into a snake pit, swing so fast the club looks like a propeller at full rev, then, once they do get the ball out, run after it as if they were escaping a forest fire. There need not be such apprehension.

The key to the shot is the word “fairway.” When you’re faced with a middle or long iron from a bunker, the shot should be played almost exactly as it would be from clipped grass. The ball must be struck first, the divot taken afterward. Repeat: The ball must be struck first!

In aid of this, I do make one compensation in my mental approach to the shot that might be helpful. I look at the front of the ball instead of the back, figuring that if I do make a mistake it’s better to hit it thin rather than catch sand before contacting the ball.

Now let’s get down to the specifics of the stroke.

Address

As with any shot, setting up is very important. However, a little extra care is called for here because the footing is different than you normally have on grass. Since you are dealing with loose material, you must dig in solidly to avoid body sway. This can be done by rotating the feet once you have determined their placement. I like to favor the inside of the right foot in fixing the entire right side firmly. Since you are going to take the full swing you would from the fairway, the ball should be played slightly left of center, with the hands forward of the clubhead. The weight should be primarily on the left side. You need not, however, overdo any of these. The phrase to keep in mind is, “Be Natural.”

Takeaway

The backswing should be in the conventional plane, but you should avoid any excessive weight transfer to the right side. Be sure to extend the club fully on the way back. The turn should be primarily with the hips, but don’t let too much body turn pull your feet from their implanted position. On top the club is in the proper horizontal position.

You don’t have to overswing on this shot for if you make proper contact with the ball it will go just as far as it would from off the fairway grass. To insure that I have completed the backswing, and to prevent rushing the shot out of fear, I feel my hands fully cocked at the top of the swing.

Downswing

The move back to the ball is the same pulling action that you employ for all shots, with the hands remaining cocked and the clubhead lagging behind. There has been a definite move to the left side, developed by pushing the right knee significantly toward the left.

The ball gets struck first, and then the sand “divot” is taken. Notice that the head is fixed over the spot where the ball had rested, and that my weight is very much to the left side. However, there has been no body sway because my left foot is still firmly implanted in the sand. Because the ball has been played from a conventional position in relation to the feet, the club is able to move easily through to the target. Only after the ball is well on its way to the green does the right hand begin to turn over. My head will come up to follow the flight of the ball only after the follow through is nearly completed.

How to practice

Just before the British Open in 1959, I had serious doubts as to my ability to even compete. It seemed that I hit every other shot “heavy” in the practice rounds, and couldn’t seem to get anywhere from the treacherous fairway bunkers at Muirfield, in Scotland. I spent one evening hitting practice shots off the sand on a nearby beach and quickly taught myself to catch the ball first, not just out of the sand, but in the fairway as well.

What I did was draw a line in the sand, place the back of the ball on the line, and then hit the shot. If contact was made correctly, the line would still be there after the ball was sailing on down the beach. This little tip enabled me to regain my confidence, and I went on to not only complete, but win the event.

Think all PGA Tour pros are using the latest $650 driver that just hit the market? Think again.

This weekend, Steven Fisk earned his first PGA Tour win with a Mizuno ST-Z 230 driver. The ST-Z was a huge leap forward for Mizuno, which has been trying to shed the characterization of an iron and wedge-only company for better players, thanks to new technology like its Cortech Chamber.

In fact, the company has continued making the driver for three years since it came out in 2023, and currently, it can be had at retail for just $300. Yes! A brand new driver for just $300.

Fisk isn’t the only player using the ST-Z either. Fellow Mizuno staffer Keith Mitchell, one of the PGA Tour’s premier drivers of the golf ball, also plays the ST-Z, as does Marco Penge, who has won twice on the DP World Tour this season.

Steven Fisk’s clubs: What’s in his Sanderson Farms-winning bag

By:

Jack Hirsh

All of Fisk’s clubs are actually throwbacks to the earlier part of the 2020s, from his Mizuno MP-20 irons and T-22 wedges to his Odyssey White Hot OG Rossie putter. The only club in his bag that is a current model year club besides his driver is his Vokey SM10 lob wedge.

While most of those clubs (except limited grinds of the wedges, which I’ll link here and below) aren’t being sold right now, his Ping G430 fairway woods are also an excellent deal.

Fisk plays both a Ping G430 Max 3- and 7-wood, and while that popular line has been replaced by Ping’s G440 line, the 430 fairways are still getting plenty of use out on the PGA Tour.

Those fairway woods can currently be found for just $290 at retail.

With both the driver and the fairway woods this week at the Sanderson Farms, Fisk was fifth in the field in strokes gained: off-the-tee, picking up just under four shots. It makes him a perfect example of going with the club that works the best, not necessarily the most expensive or the newest.

Want to find the best driver and fairway woods for your game?Find a club-fitting location near you at True Spec Golf.

Mizuno ST-Z 230 Driver

A straight bias driver with excellent stability from off centre hits. Similar in look and character to the previous ST-Z. Boosted by the CORTECH Chamber to be faster from the face, spin less and deliver an incredible, solid sensation at impact.

Ping G430 Max Fairway Wood

Sizing up your approach into a long par 4, going for the par-5 in two, you want 100% confidence that your fairway wood will give you the solid contact, speed and higher ball flight to get you home. In the G430 fairways, we’ve developed Carbonfly Wrap to deliver more distance by positioning the CG closer to the force line to maximize ball speed, resulting in higher, longer carries. The PING G430 MAX Fairway Wood fits the widest range of golfers with four options (3W/15°, 5W/18°, 7W/21°, 9W/24°).

Mizuno T22 Custom Wedge

 With more than 50 years of refining, the Grain Flow forging process in Hiroshima, Japan, Mizuno’s wedges are unrivaled for touch and feel around the green. Properties best demonstrated in Mizuno’s T-Series wedges, developed hand in hand with former world #1 Luke Donald. The latest evolution – the T22 refines Mizuno’s player’s shape once again and introduces four different sole grinds for varying techniques and conditions.
One-piece Grain Flow Forged using HD Boron, at Mizuno’s iconic facility in Hiroshima, where Mizuno irons have been produced since 1968, the new T22 wedges feature a microlayer of copper beneath the nickel-chrome delivering an extra split-second of control at impact.The new T22 wedges feature a slightly more compact, ‘modified teardrop,’ profile with an extensively beveled top edge to make it appear thinner. The spin-weighted blade design, created by tapering the upper portion of the blade, helps create a more consistent spin and a more penetrating trajectory.Mizuno’s HydroFlow Micro Grooves deliver great wet weather performance as they are laser etched to release moisture and reduce spin drop off, while the Quad Cut milled, and loft specific, grooves are cut into Boron infused steel to offer a longer effective lifespan.The T22 wedges are available in three finishes; Denim Copper, Satin Chrome, and Raw. The Raw finish comes without the copper underlay, but it will rust over time for a look requested by many of the Mizuno tour players.The expanded grind options include:S Grind – with the minimal sole grind for fuller shots and lower loftsD Grind – with moderate heel and toe relief, allowing gentle manipulation of the clubfaceC Grind – with heavy heel and toe relief for more skilled players and firmer conditionsX Grind – with extreme heel and toe relief for the real short game maestros.Mizuno has strived to “create the best products for consumers” for 115 years, and the new T22 wedges adhere firmly to that original spirit and desire while offering the best performance benefits that modern technology can bring. #ReachBeyond
 
T-22 S GRIND WEDGE SPECIFICATION

Club #
Loft °
Lie Angle
Length (inch)
Bounce

45/05
45
63
35.5
5

46/06
46
63
35.5
6

47/07
47
63
35.5
7

48/08
48
63
35.5
8

49/06
49
63
35.5
6

50/07
50
63
35.25
7

51/08
51
63
35.25
8

52/09
52
63
35.25
9

53/10
53
63
35.25
10

54/12
54
63
35.25
12

55/13
55
63
35.25
13

56/14
56
63
35.25
14

57/15
57
63
35.25
15

58/16
58
63
35.25
16

T-22 D GRIND WEDGE SPECIFICATION

Club #
Loft °
Lie Angle
Length (inch)
Bounce

54/08
54
63
35.25
8

55/09
55
63
35.25
9

56/10
56
63
35.25
10

57/11
57
63
35.25
11

58/12
58
63
35.25
12

T-22 C GRIND WEDGE SPECIFICATION

Club #
Loft °
Lie Angle
Length (inch)
Bounce

56/06
56
63
35.25
6

57/07
57
63
35.25
7

58/08
58
63
35.25
8

59/09
59
63
35.25
9

60/10
60
63
35.25
10

T-22 X GRIND WEDGE SPECIFICATION

Club #
Loft °
Lie Angle
Length (inch)
Bounce

58/04
58
63
35.25
4

59/05
59
63
35.25
5

60/06
60
63
35.25
6

61/07
61
63
35.25
7

62/08
62
63
35.25
8

Dexterity: RH Satin Chrome, Demin Copper & Raw. LH Satin Chrome only.

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Everyone loves a good deal, especially when that deal involves saving hundreds — even thousands — of dollars. And golf equipment is no exception. That’s why gear enthusiasts will love what Fairway Jockey has on offer: dozens of pre-owned clubs that you can buy for a significant discount off the regular retail price.

In fact, the appeal of the pre-owned market goes beyond bargain hunters.

“For the gear tinkerer, pre-owned clubs offer a chance to experiment with premium aftermarket shafts without the steep price tag of buying them brand-new,” said Fairway Jockey president Wadeh Maroun. “For the serious player, pre-owned clubs offer the ability to secure a ‘tour build’ setup — a level of precision and performance usually reserved for elite players, at a fraction of the cost. And for the aspirational golfer, someone who might not otherwise splurge on high-end gear, pre-owned clubs provide access to equipment that feels and performs like the very best.”

Unlike a local second-hand shop or a listing on eBay, every pre-owned club sold by Fairway Jockey is thoroughly inspected before it reaches the buyer. Each product is vetted by up to four expert assessors and must achieve a minimum score of 7 out of 10 on Fairway Jockey’s strict grading scale.

Shop September’s best-selling iron

By:

Jessica Marksbury

That scale is laid out clearly so golfers know exactly what they’re getting. A club rated 7 (Good) will have seen 20 to 40 rounds and show normal scuffs or scratches, but it remains in solid playing condition. An 8 (Very Good) indicates just 10 to 20 rounds, with only minimal wear and perhaps a single mark. And a 9 (Like New) is reserved for clubs that have fewer than five rounds of play and are nearly indistinguishable from brand-new.

For many golfers, the biggest attraction of Fairway Jockey’s pre-owned shop isn’t just the savings — it’s the access to unique builds. Every club in the pre-owned inventory was originally assembled in Fairway Jockey’s tour-level build shop, which means many include aftermarket shafts and custom combinations that are rarely available off the rack. These premium shafts, from makers like Fujikura, Graphite Design, Mitsubishi, and LA Golf, often cost $300 to $500 when purchased new. Finding them paired with high-quality heads in the pre-owned market gives golfers a chance to experience performance upgrades without the full retail investment. It’s a way to play the type of equipment trusted by professionals, at a price point that makes experimentation realistic.

“Naturally, golfers have questions when it comes to pre-owned equipment,” said Maroun. “One common concern is whether this is really different from shopping on eBay or at a big-box retailer. The answer is yes: unlike marketplace listings, which can be vague or even risky, every club at Fairway Jockey is authenticated, spec-checked, and backed by a multi-assessor inspection process. Big-box shops typically deal in stock shafts, while Fairway Jockey’s inventory often features tour-level upgrades.

“Another question revolves around appearance,” he continued. “Will a club rated a 7 look too worn in the bag? The reality is no — these clubs show expected use, but still look and perform clean at address.”

If you’ve never waded into the world of after-market shafts, shopping pre-owned clubs is a less expensive way to try something new. Maroun emphasized the fact that even if a pre-owned club doesn’t perfectly match your specs, it can still be re-shafted, re-gripped, or adjusted for loft and lie, just like a new one.

Why you should have more than 14 clubs

By:

Jessica Marksbury

Finding the perfect pre-owned club is also a bit like a treasure hunt. Custom club builds are unique by nature, so while new options are added daily, it’s unlikely you’ll find two clubs with the exact same specs. That’s why it’s important to act fast when you find a suitable fit.

At the moment, Fairway Jockey’s pre-owned inventory includes some standout deals: more than $1,300 in savings on Cobra 3DP Tour irons, over $750 off TaylorMade P7CB irons, and more than $300 off a Callaway Elite Triple Diamond driver. Each of these selections comes with an upgraded shaft, making them not just discounted clubs but fully optimized builds.

Ready to take the plunge into the world of premium, pre-owned equipment? You can explore Fairway Jockey’s entire inventory of pre-owned clubs here, or browse through some selections from the collection below.

Shop pre-owned clubs at Fairway Jockey

Pre-Owned Titleist GT2 10° Driver w/ Accra GX Blue 140 M0 Shaft

Used Titleist GT2 10° Driver with Accra GX Blue 140 M0 Shaft.
CONDITION 
Like New (9/10)

# of Rounds Played: 1-5
Club is in excellent/like-new condition and exhibits little to no wear.

SPECS

Dexterity
RH

Loft
10°

Shaft
Accra GX Blue 140 M0

Grip
TV Ladies 58X

Length

44.5“

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Pre-Owned Ping LH G440 Max Driver 10.5° w/ Fujikura Ventus 2024 Red 50 R2 Shaft

Used/open box PING LH G440 Max Custom Driver 10.5° with Fujikura Ventus 2024 Red 50 R2 shaft.
CONDITION 
Like New (9/10)

# of Rounds Played: 1-5
Club is in excellent/like-new condition and exhibits little to no wear.

SPECS

Dexterity
LH

Loft
10.5°

Shaft
Fujikura Ventus 2024 Red 50 R2

Grip
Golf Pride CP2 Wrap Undersized

Length

45.5“

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Pre-Owned TaylorMade P7CB Irons 4-AW w/ KBS Tour V S Shaft

Set of used/open box Pre-Owned TaylorMade P7CB Irons 4-AW with KBS Tour V S Shaft.
CONDITION 
Good (7/10)

# of Rounds Played: 20-40
Clubs will show scuffs and minor scratches associated with normal wear and tear through 20-40 rounds.

SPECS

Dexterity
RH

Set Make Up
4-AW

Shaft
KBS Tour V S

Grip
MCC Plus 4 Orange Standard

Length
Standard

Loft
Standard

Lie
1 Up

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Pre-Owned PING G440 Max 7W Fairway w/ Project X Hzrdus LE Red 40 4.0 Shaft

Used/Open box Ping G440 Max 7W Fairway w/ Project X Hzrdus LE Red 40 4.0 shaft. Club is in excellent condition and exhibits little wear.
CONDITION 
Like New (8.5/10)

# of Rounds Played: 1-3
Club is in great condition and exhibits little to no wear.

SPECS

Dexterity
RH

Loft
21°

Shaft
Project X Hzrdus LE Red 40 4.0

Grip
Winn Dritac Grey Midsize

Length
42.5″

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Pre-Owned LH TaylorMade Qi35 Driver 9 w/ Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 6 S Shaft

Used/open box TaylorMade Qi35 Driver 9 with Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 6 S Shaft.
CONDITION 
Like New (9/10)

# of Rounds Played: 1-5
Club is in excellent/like-new condition and exhibits little to no wear.

SPECS

Dexterity
LH

Loft
9°

Shaft
Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 6 S

Grip
MCC Black Black Standard

Length

46.5“

$725 from Fairway Jockey

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