Sport Sand shots are no fun - but here's help
Playing in the sand as a child was probably fun to most of us but put us in the sand on a golf course and it becomes a frustrating and punishing hazard that is feared by most and to be avoided at all costs!
If your approach to bunker shots is one of apprehension and dread then the bunker will get the better of you, yet bunkers should really be quite simple to get out of.
To keep things simple you should only use a sand wedge and not be tempted to use your lob wedge should you have one. This is because a sand wedge is designed with a greater bounce (a curved sole) on its underside which doesn't dig in to the sand as much as other clubs would and therefore decelerating the swing.
* Remember that although a lob wedge may give you greater elevation of a grassy lie, it rarely will out of a bunker due to the clubs design with less bounce on its sole.
Greenside bunker shots should always be played with a smooth accelerating stroke with the aim to hit the sand approx. two inches behind the ball.
The ball should be positioned just left of centre in the stance in order to help you hit firmly into the sand and not get too steep and dig the club into the sand too deep. The ball should then pop up and out of the sand along as you continue to accelerate the clubhead through to a finish that is longer and higher than your backswing length was.
Tip: Imagine your ball is sitting in the middle of a large ring doughnut in the bunker. You should then attempt to chip the whole of the doughnut onto the green as this will ensure you take the required amount of sand (approx. 5 to 6 inches) when playing the stroke!
Always wriggle your feet a few centimetres into the sand before attempting to play your bunker shot. This not only helps you build a solid base and good balance with which to play your shot but also helps you identify how deep the sand may be and what its texture is like, as there are many different types of bunker sand at golf courses throughout the world.
* It is worth remembering that wet sand after a heavy downpour will be a lot harder and more compact than when the bunker is dry, and therefore you should vary your aim and try to hit the sand only one inch behind the ball, instead of two inches.
Remember how much you loved the sand as a child, with just a little bunker practice on the the golf course I'm sure you can learn to love it again!
That was part four of a regular series from Boothferry Golf Club's Simon Appleton and Matt Rumble.
Published on 10th April 2008 in Sport.
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