U.S. Open Tips: A Short, Delicate Shot from the Sand

It's U.S. Open week and to help celebrate the 119th edition of our National Championship, we're happy to present some exclusive golf instruction, all related to the unique challenges players will face at Pebble Beach Golf Links, which is hosting the U.S. Open for the sixth time. These U.S. Open tips come to us courtesy of some of the finest teachers in the game – all of whom, we're proud to say, are Titleist staff members.

We hope you enjoy the tips below from Jonathan Yarwood, and for additional tips to help you play your best on demanding tracks like Pebble Beach, check out the following:

Layne Savoie - Flighted Wedge Shot on No. 7 at Pebble Beach

Justin Parsons: The Tee Shot on No. 18 at Pebble Beach

Skip Guss - Controlling Irons by Controlling Trajectory

Matt Barr - Driving, Chipping and Putting at Pebble Beach

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Short, Delicate Bunker Shot

The tiny greens at Pebble Beach are a big part of the story this week at the U.S. Open. Averaging approximately 3,500 sq. ft. in area (the PGA TOUR average is 6,000 sq. ft.) and just 26 paces in depth, you can expect much lower than average performance from players in the tour's Greens-In-Regulation stats.

And surrounding those greens when players do miss? Thick Poa Annua rough and a collection of 118 bunkers. Because of the small surface area on the greens, most of the shots that we'll see players execute from the sand will also be short, requiring deft touch and precise distance control.

To learn how to pull off delicate shots from the bunker, we consulted Titleist staff member Jonathan Yarwood, who shows how a wide take-away, along with a decisive release of the bottom hand, will help you to build some precision into your bunker game.

For more instruction from Jonathan, visit JonathanYarwood.com, check out his YouTube Channel and follow him on Instagram.

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