The area of the game that strikes fear into many
weekend golfers is playing shots from greenside
bunkers.
We often marvel at the way the best players
can make this shot appear so easy, to the point
where they will actually aim at finishing in these
traps when unable to hit the green. For these
players, this will give them the best chance of
making the up-and-down. However, it is not an
easy option most weekend golfers would contemplate.
Believe it or not, bunker play is a simple shot,
as it has the highest margin of error of any in
the game. The reason most golfers struggle with
this particular shot is the fact they don’t
understand the basics of moving the golf ball
out of sand. You first need to understand this
basic concept to become proficient at this shot.
Often times, articles written about bunker play
tend to assume all golfers understand how to play
from bunkers, and therefore are directed more
at fine-tuning, which at times can complicate
the action. Any golfer who can make reasonable
contact with a short iron from the fairway is
more than capable of becoming proficient at bunker
play. It really is that simple.
A good practice drill for bunker play is to
step into a practice bunker with a short iron
but no golf ball. Draw circles in the sand, approximately
the same size as the palm of your hand. Assume
your normal square stance and aim to hit the circle
out of the sand. The back edge of the circle should
be positioned where the ball would normally be.
Take a normal swing and try to hit the circle
of sand onto the green. Repeat this process until
you can establish the feel of the sand landing
on the green, as well as the effort or length
of swing required to move the sand to the area
of the green at which you are aiming.
Now place a golf ball in the middle of the circle.
The key here is to realize the golf ball is like
a big pebble in the sand — whatever the
sand does, the ball will follow. Make the same
swing and focus on the sand landing on the green.
Once you can hit sand onto the green, you can
correctly play a bunker shot. The contact point
in the sand does not need to be as precise as
the contact point required for a successful iron
shot from the fairway.
An advanced drill is similar to the one above,
only this time you will have the clubface open.
First, hit the circle out of the sand as you did
before and then take note of the feel of the club
through the sand and the reaction of the sand
as it flies onto the green. The club will slide
through the sand, taking a shallow divot, and
the sand will fly higher. Again, be aware of the
effort or length of swing required to move the
sand onto the green.
Next, place a ball in the circle while still
keeping in mind that the circle of sand is your
object — remember the big white pebble.
At this juncture, you will need to make an adjustment
to your aim. It should be noted here the main
reason for the open face is to increase loft.
Due to the open clubface, you will need to have
your feet aimed left (for right-handed players).
It is OK for the clubface to be aiming to the
right of the target, as the sand and ball will
tend to fly more in the direction of the force
of the blow, rather than where the clubface is
aiming.
Opening the face of the club enables you to
increase the spin and height of your shots from
the sand. However, don’t be afraid to stick
to the square face for a while if you experience
difficulty when opening the clubface.
