If you’ve been playing golf for a long time, maybe by now you’ve mastered the bunker shot. But if you’re still having trouble with it, maybe you need some refreshing on your technique.
Know that when your ball lands in a sandtrap you have your work cut out for you. To make an effective shot, your club must never touch the ball. Your sand wedge must reach into the sand beneath and behind the ball and toss it on to the green at a carefully determined speed and stroke. This kind of stroke should give the ball backspin, limiting the amount of roll. This means you’ll want the ball to land near the pin so you’ll have a short putt. Maybe then you can make par or even a birdie, depending on how much you lie when your ball falls into the trap. As always, practice makes perfect. If you’re still having trouble with your bunker shots, either get help from an instructor or make yourself practice until you get it right.
A perfect bunker swing enters the sand about three inches behind the ball, skims a half-inch under the surface, then emerges about three inches in front of where the ball rested. The club never touches the ball itself–it splashes the sand up and out. The sand carries the ball along for the ride. • If you’ve never been able to make the swing, this drill will teach you how. Draw parallel lines about six inches apart in a practice bunker. • Make five practice swings that enter the sand at one line and exit at the other. Try to make the clubhead go about a half-inch into the sand. • Smooth the sand and re-draw the lines, then place a ball between them and replicate your practice swing. The ball will poop out and land on the green.
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