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sand play

FAIRWAY BUNKERS : The first thing that must come into your mind when in a fairway trap is that it is classed as a hazard and even if you are a long way away from the green, you must take into account the lip height of the bunker and take sufficient loft of club to safely get out first time. Once you have chosen the club, grip down the handle and hold it more tightly. This shortening of the club raises the bottom of the swing encouraging a clean strike. The slightly firmer hold tightens and shortens the forearm muscles which minimises wrist action to prevent digging too deep into the sand.

Your feet need to be bedded only slightly into the sand just to prevent slipping and give a firmer foundation. The ball position should be slightly nearer to your left heel to encourage the club to strike the ball cleanly on the upswing with your longer irons. To keep the balance through the actual swing, swing mainly with the hands and arms.

GREENSIDE BUNKERS : The idea behind the splash shot from a greenside bunker is to hit the sand approximately 2 inches behind the ball, depending on the texture of the sand. The ball will float out of the bunker on a cushion of sand. To help gain extra loft to get over the high lips of bunkers, open the clubface of the sandwedge and then take hold of the grip.

With the clubface open approximately 20 degrees, the aim,stance and alignment are adjusted left of the intended target until the clubface is realigned to face the target. The ball position is well forward in the stance, opposite the left heel so as to encourage the striking point of the club to be 2/3 inches behind the ball into the sand. You must really dig your feet into the sand to give a firm foundation and flex the knees a lot more to feel like you are sitting down on a low stool. This will prevent the sandwedge from digging too deeply into the sand. When swinging concentrate on the intended strike zone ie, 2 inches behind the ball and swing the club along the line of your feet keeping the face open through impact and towards the target. Use a ¾ swing that accelerates through the downswing and keep the length of the backswing and follow through the same.