Sand Shots

So what are you going to do now that you hit your shot into the sand bunker?

First of all don't panic!  For hitting a standard bunker shot there are a few key points that need to be covered:

1. Play the ball off of your front heel.  This will cause you to be able to hit the ball higher and clear those high bunker lips.

2. Open the clubface FIRST, then take your grip.  If you grip your club like a normal shot and then open the face nothing has been accomplished. You will most likely only return to your original loft of the club, which will cause you to yield more sand giving you a chunked shot

3. Do not be afraid to take a full swing.  This is the #1 problem for all amateurs.  Taking a chip shot approach out of the sand will give you poor results 90% of the time.  In order to hit a succesful sand shot, it is vital to follow through on your swing. It might feel awkward at first taking such a large swing from so close, but the results will ease that feeling!

4. Now that you know how to hit the shot there is one last rule that will be your savior from the sand.  Imagine a quarter sitting right behind your golf ball.  At the end of this coin is where you are aiming to hit.  Sand is actually what propells your ball out of sand bunkers, not your golf club.  By hitting this spot, you are in great position to take enough sand with your full swing to propell that ball right onto the putting surface or fairway.

Good luck out there and happy golfing!

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