Free Golf Tips Online Archives

Bunker Shots

Bunker play seems to give the average player a lot of difficulty. For starters I think you need to look at the type of sand wedge that you are using. A lot of amateurs use the sand wedge that comes with their set of clubs. Look at using a wedge that has a lot of loft around 60 degrees with a leading edge that is in front of the hosel and not behind it or offset.

When entering a bunker look at the sand and feel it with your shoes as you take your stance if it is hard, soft, wet or dry these will all play a roll how the ball comes out of the bunker. Take your stance aiming your body about 30 degrees to the left of the target, open your clubface so that it aims either at the target or slightly left of the target, then grip the club. When you open the clubface this will increase the loft of the club and help it splash or bounce through the sand.

Do not let the sand slow your club down. You will have more consistent sand shots if you accelerate through the sand. You must have the feeling of the club gaining speed as you swing through the sand. Only then, will you like what you see.

Make a Steep Swing in the Sand

This drill helps you get a feel for taking the club back in a more upright plane out of the bunker. By taking the club back more abruptly, you increase your chances of getting under the ball properly and impacting the sand more precisely. Have a friend stand behind you in the sand and place a rake about two feet behind your ball--holding it in approximately a 45-degree angle. The goal here is to get you to swing up the rake handle and feel as though your plane is steeper than that of a normal swing. Take several swings like this and soon you'll hit high, soft shots from the bunker.

>From our Readers:

Danny, Parts Unknown!!

"I would like some info on how to correct my slice. No one seems to be able to tell me the main cause. Would like some feed back. Thanks Danny"

The bottom line problem is that your clubface is open at impact.

It's ingrained in your swing.

Try this:

Hit a three iron off the tee.

Swing at 60% speed. Don't follow through. Hit it like it's a chip shot, but stop on the follow through. That will quickly teach if you are set up correctly.

On the downswing, you should feel as if you are pulling your left arm down (assuming your right handed). Practice that, and gradually build up your speed to 85%. You should never swing harder than that, in the tee box, or on the fairway.

On the tee, position the ball right inside your left foot.

On the fairway, position it center for 3 to 6 irons, and for 7-PW position the ball between center and your right foot.

Let me know how this "quick fix' works out.