| 3-Feet from the Hole | | | | different concept. Here's all you need to |
| | | | know to have great sand play...Open the blade |
| The most important aspect of putting is to | | | | of your sand wedge so that it is directed |
| decide on your line before the stroke. The | | | | about five feet to the RIGHT of the flag. |
| only thing to be thinking DURING the stroke | | | | Open your stance so the tips of your feet and |
| is how hard you need to hit the ball. Control | | | | shoulders are aligned with each other such |
| how far the ball rolls by controlling the | | | | that you are aiming about five feet LEFT of |
| distance you bring the putter back during the | | | | the pin. |
| backswing. The length of the forward swing | | | | |
| past the ball should ALWAYS match the length | | | | When you swing back, only swing the clubhead |
| of the backswing. | | | | as HIGH as your right shoulder. Don't use |
| | | | more than about 60% power on the swing. The |
| When determining the "line" for the putt, pay | | | | clubface should slice ACROSS AND DOWN THROUGH |
| particular attention to the lay of the green | | | | the sand, behind the ball. More than any |
| within a three foot radius around the cup, as | | | | other shot on the course, follow through is |
| your golf ball will be rolling fairly slowly, | | | | essential to lift the ball out of the sand. |
| and therefore will break more sharply within | | | | If you want the ball to stop more quickly, |
| that area near the cup. You need to determine | | | | hit the sand about 1 inch behind the middle |
| where you want the golf ball to be when it is | | | | of the golf ball. If you want the ball to |
| entering that three-feet-away radius. Always | | | | run, you need to hit about 2.5 inches behind |
| attempt to putt the ball so it will go about | | | | the middle of the ball. Use this method and |
| one foot past the hole if it misses. If it | | | | your days of poor sand play are behind you, |
| misses,watch the break PAST the hole, because | | | | but of course nothing comes without practice. |
| that will give you the line for the tap in. | | | | Find a course in your area that has a |
| | | | chipping green with a bunker you can practice |
| Get out of the Sand | | | | out of. After a while, your confidence will |
| | | | skyrocket. |
| Sand play around the green really is a | | | | |