Golfers often find themselves struggling to get out of bunkers. If you’re one of them, here’s an idea: Stop playing your bunker shots like chip shots. Let’s start dissecting sand shots by getting into your setup.
-- You want to have a wide stance, like you would when hitting a driver.
-- Have your knees and your hands a little lower than normal. This should feel natural.
-- The ball should be about a clubhead in from your lead heel (that’s the left heel for right-handed players).
-- You should open your clubface up slightly. Think 3-5 degrees. Remember, we’ve got to get the ball airborne and we’re going to let the club do the work.
Once you’ve got the stance, then it’s time to execute the shot. I recommend swinging the club twice as hard as you would a chip shot from that same distance. This is why practice – and not just hitting a driver on the range -- is key.
If you know how hard you swing on a 25-yard chip, then you’ll quickly figure out how hard you should swing on a 25-yard shot from the sand. And make sure the clubface is pointed to the sky after impact.
If you take only one tip away from this list, make this the one you remember: Hit the sand first.
You can usually get away with a bunker shot after hitting it a little heavy, but catching it thin is a recipe for disaster. The ball will take off and you’ll almost certainly find yourself in more trouble with your next shot.
Hit the sand first. Let the club – and the sand – do the work in getting the ball airborne and out of trouble.
And remember, the easiest way to avoid having problems in the sand is to not hit the ball into the sand.
If you would like to train with me, please send an email to MikeS@MiamiLakesGolf.com.
Photos by Linda Trischitta.