| Being trapped in a sand bunker is an easy way to | | | | possible for as long as possible. As this requires you |
| add a lot of strokes to your score. If you miss that | | | | to swing with only your hands and arms, you'll want |
| first shot, you can easily become concerned and | | | | to take a club or two more than usual [but bear in |
| over anxious. Take your time and keep a few things | | | | mind that playing the ball farther back than normal will |
| like this in mind. | | | | deloft the clubface slightly]. For anything up to 75 |
| One way to prevent dipping and hitting your ball | | | | yards, the average players to use a pitching wedge |
| heavy when playing a long bunker shot is to | | | | hit with a three quarters swing. |
| concentrate on keeping the knees "on the same | | | | There are occasions when it's a good idea to putt |
| level" throughout the swing. Note that we say he "on | | | | out of a bunker, or use the "Texas wedge". The |
| the same level" and not just "level". The idea is to | | | | bunker should have firm sand and little or no lip, and |
| stop you from lifting up or bending down. If you lift | | | | there should be a smooth surface between the ball |
| up, either you hit the ball thin or you run the risk of | | | | and the edge of the bunker. Address the ball as you |
| hitting it fat if you bend down again. If you bend | | | | would a putt, with the ball in the center of your |
| down first, you'll almost definitely hit the ball fat. | | | | stance. Swing with the arms and shoulders, but keep |
| Ask any professional golfer the toughest shot in golf | | | | the wrists firm and the rest of your body, especially |
| and he'll say the 60 yard sand shot. Even the top | | | | your head, absolutely still. The key is to make solid |
| players have trouble deciding whether this calls for an | | | | contact. Be careful not to ground the putter. If you |
| explosion shot or a normal wedge shot. Fortunately, | | | | do, you will be penalized. |
| we average players don't have to make that | | | | Knowing the basic techniques of bunker sand play |
| decision. The 60 yard explosion just isn't in our bags. | | | | and understanding the subtleties of the various |
| So we'll make do with the normal wedge shot. Stand | | | | problems you can encounter will actually lead you to |
| squarely, with the ball in the middle of your stance. | | | | even enjoy the play from a sand bunker. Visit Golf |
| As with the long bunker shot, you should make | | | | Training Aid Online for more help on your golf short |
| contact with the ball first, to remain as steady as | | | | game.. |