Golfers must be prepared for every situation on the golf course. It is inevitable that we will all find ourselves in the bunker at some point. Whether you call it a sand trap, a hazard, or the beach, it’s important to know how to deal with with effectively and not let it create a big number on your scorecard. TGW has some helpful tips to do just that.
Get out of the bunker and back into play
The dreaded bunker shot intimidates social golfers and can even stifle the everyday player. Understanding how to approach a shot in the sand will boost your confidence to Hasselhoff levels, ensuring you’ll escape the bunker with just one stroke. The number-one rule for hitting out of the bunker is to strike the sand with your club first. This allows the bottom side of your club to cut through the sand before the club face makes contact with the ball. Follow the rest of these golf tips to master your game in the sand.
Choose the right club
The majority of bunkers are close to the green and the club you choose will depend on how much green you have to work with. Use a lower-lofted club (52 to 56 degrees) when there is a lot of green available and a higher-lofted club (56 to 60 degrees) when green space is tight. Lower-lofted clubs allow the ball to roll while a higher loft promotes a higher trajectory for a softer land.
Dig in
Twisting your feet into the sand not only provides a strong foundation as you swing and also gives you a good idea of how deep the sand is. This will help you pinpoint where you should hit in front of the ball, depending on the amount of sand you want to hit out of the bunker.
Keep the ball forward in your stance in soft sand and more in the center if you’re hitting out of a hard wet sand. After you’re dug in, make sure to adjust your club to allow for a more open clubface. This promotes a higher and softer trajectory, and will make it much easier to cut through the sand upon initial contact.
Swing
Unlike your normal swing, you should practice cutting across the ball with a more outside-in swing path when hitting out of the bunker. This causes the ball to come off the club with a higher and softer trajectory promoting maximum control. The most important part of this swing is your follow-through. If you stop or decelerate upon contact your club face will never have a chance to make good contact with the ball.
