Sand Trap Techniques: The Art of Mastering the Bunker Shot

One essential ability that every golfer needs to have is the ability to hit bunkers. The basics covered in this HackMotion video can help you transform your bunker play from a liability to a strength. Drive the sole of your club steeply into the sand behind the ball to cut across it instead of swinging across it. Your shot will come out of the trap and settle softly on the green as a result.

Configuration

A strong setup is essential to hitting an efficient bunker shot. This is an element of the game that many amateurs find difficult because they lean back too much and end up scooping the ball out of the trap rather than sweeping it out. This frequently results in the clubhead getting stuck in the sand and losing speed. To achieve the best possible setup for a bunker shot, you must open the clubface and your stance to encourage a high-spin, lofted ball flight. To encourage "hitting the sand first," you should also position the ball slightly ahead in your stance. Finally, in order to provide extra loft to the clubface and prevent a decelerating swing through impact, you should lengthen your lead wrist on every bunker shot. These pointers will help you become more adept at bunker play and will give you the confidence to get out of even the trickiest bunkers on the course.

The Pale

Among the most daunting shots in golf is the greenside bunker shot. Players may become paralysed over the shot, unable to do anything but hope for the best, due to their anxiety of chunking the ball into the trap or blazing it across the green. Having the proper setup is the first step towards a successful bunker shot. This entails opening the stance and clubface, placing the ball in line with your front foot, and making sure your front foot is bearing weight. With this arrangement, you may push the ball into the sand and give it backspin. Next, we need a good swing. In order to create a sharp angle of attack that will force the ball out of the trap, the objective is to enter the sand one or two inches behind the ball. This can be accomplished by speeding through the shot and maintaining a correct wrist hinge. By doing this, you'll avoid decelerating—which is a common error made when striking out of the trap.

The Completion

In contrast to other shots, a bunker shot requires careful follow-through. A chunked shot can occur from not staying down for the full contact or from not slowing down thereafter. You must hinge your wrists aggressively on the downswing to prevent this. This causes the clubface to burst out of the trap and onto the green as it glides beneath the ball through the sand. When you hit this difficult shot with the proper technique and mindset, you can increase your sand save percentage from the amateur average of 10% to the professional average of 40%. You can conquer those annoying bunkers and become an expert at this important part of the game with regular practice. First, make sure you have the right club—a sand wedge usually has adequate loft and carry. After that, take a wide stance to help you stay stable during the swing. Dig your feet into the sand to create a strong foundation. Open your clubface and stance to encourage a more upward trajectory.

The Effect

An aggressive follow-through is necessary for a successful bunker shot. Hit the sand behind the ball as well as the front in order to do this. You can practice short bunker shots with various types of sand to determine the ideal swing path and how much sand to take. Closing the clubface through impact and on the downswing is a common mistake. This may cause the divide to enlarge and complicate distance control. Try working on a routine where you check the open clubface in your stance before every bunker shot to prevent this. These principles can change your sand game with practice. You won't find bunker play to be terrifying; rather, it can be one of golf's most satisfying challenges to get up and down from the trap. So practice your bunker shot and go forth! It will assist you in beating the feared hurdles and lowering your scores. Wishing you luck! The Club at Cherokee Town and Country employs Tyler Monroe as a golf teacher.