Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
This week the Royal Golf Club's PGA Teaching Professional, Oliver Brown, gives you tips on how to play from the bunkers
One of the biggest stroke savers in golf, is playing well from bunkers. No golfer does this better than Phil Mickelson, who uses many of these bunker tips.
Like no other challenge at the Royal Golf Club, the bunkers and sand traps can add up strokes more than any obstacle out there. Whether you're hacking away like you're building a sand castle, thinning the ball past the green or leaving every shot a couple of inches forward in the sand, it's a frustrating prospect. Knowing the keys to a bunker shot will position you to getting those ups and downs and will have you hitting shots like Mickelson himself.
Stance when hitting a sand shot: You will see many professional golfers really dig their feet into the sand when taking a bunker shot, there is a very good reason behind this. Digging your feet into the bunker allows you to maintain balance on the unsure surface, and helps you to carry through a strong and confident swing. Grind your heels into the sand and set up your feet pointing a little to the left (for a right-hander) of where you are aiming your shot. Keep your stance give or take shoulder width from the outsides of your shoes.
Ball position during bunker shots: When hitting out of the sand, position the ball near the middle of your stance. Please experiment around with this but only by moving the ball position forward. The ball should also be placed about the same distance of a normal wedge shot.
Club selection from the sand trap: The sand wedge, obviously, is the clearest choice for a sand shot. That, or the lob wedge, will give you the most arcs on bunker shots close to the green and close to the pin. Bunker shots of over 20 yards should be attempted with a pitching wedge or 9 iron, and further shots should be attempted with longer irons, depending on the length of your shot. You could generally knock off about 20-25 per cent of the distance on your clubs when hitting from the sand.
The swing - open club shot: When swinging at a ball in the sand, open your club the same degree as your feet, like you are hitting a lob shot or a flop shot. Open your club around 45 degrees and practice your swing without hitting the sand (as if this is a penalty stroke). Aim between 1-2 inches behind the ball on your swing, depending on the length of your shot. The shorter you are shooting, the farther behind the ball you should aim.
Take an open club face swing between three quarters and full, and be sure you have a gentle acceleration through the striking zone (between your feet). I don't want it to feel like a hit, your wedge is made of steel and will glide underneath the ball with the sand lifting the ball upwards.
If you implement these factors into your bunker play ... well let your results tell the truth.
Happy practicing and good luck.
