Sand Trap Golf Lessons

For so many beginners, escaping from a bunker is the stuff of nightmares. Just the thought conjures up images of shot after shot spent hacking away in the sand. Here are tips on how to make the right golf bunker shots to escape the sand trap.

The truth is that when you know what to do, there really isn’t very much to be afraid of. Whether you’re splashing your way out of a green-side bunker or escaping a fairway trap, if you have the right techniques you will soon discover that getting your ball out of the sand can be one of the simpler shots you’ll play.

Adjusting your setup is key. Dig your feet into the sand and get a more solid foundation for your shot. When playing out of a green-side bunker, aim just to the left of the target if you are right-handed, and just to the right if you are left-handed. For fairway bunker shots, try to hit the sand 1 inches (2.5cm) behind the ball. For all bunker shots, keep your eyes focused on the point at which you want the club-face to enter the sand. Whatever your position, remember to accelerate through the ball.

1. Fairway Bunkers

Fairway bunkers are usually fairly shallow and allow you to make regular club selections according to the distance you need to make. For shots from green-side bunkers, which are often quite steep, you’ll need to use a sand wedge.

This is an iron that has a very lofted face (typically 56 degrees) and is specially designed to bounce off the under-surface of a bunker. Its fat profile produces an explosion of sand that helps lift the ball out of bunker and onto the green. Never ground your club in the sand before you play a bunker shot! If you do, you’ll face a penalty.

Finding your ball in a fairway bunker presents an entirely different challenge from being caught in a green-side sand trap. You’ll need to take a much longer shot, so you’ll be using a different club. You won’t be trying to achieve an explosive effect when splashing out of a bunker near the green – instead, you should aim to nip the ball off the top of the sand.

2. Green-side Bunkers

It may sound strange, but when playing the green-side bunker shot you should deliberately aim to miss the ball. This is because your target is an area of sand about 2.5 cm (an inch or so) behind the ball. Striking the surface of the bunker here creates a pocket of sand that helps to lift the ball up and forward, and out of the sand trap.

As you swing back towards the ball you should feel as if you’re cutting across the ball, or, as golf coaches say, from outside to in. While this may feel unnatural, trust your swing. Even though you think you’re going to hit the ball too far left, the fact that your club-face is open will actually take the ball to the right.

As ever, it’s vital that you accelerate through the ball when you play your shot. Similarly, you should also make a proper follow-through with a good hip and shoulder turn. The last thing you want is the club stopping in the sand and the ball staying in the bunker.

All in all, golf bunkers are nothing to fear: With the right training and tactics, you’ll be able to escape sand traps with ease.

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