The bunker shot

Improve your bunker shots

Bunker shots are an interesting part of the game. Beginning or intermediate level golfers find bunker shots almost impossible while advanced players and pros find them so easy that sometimes they chose to aim for a bunker if their shot misses it's target. The reason that good golfers have no problem with this shot is that they have learned to do some important things well.

The bunker shot is the only time that the club goes underneath the ball. The problem is that beginners tend to go too much underneath the ball. The club should go no more than an inch under the ball. Any more and the club will stop in the sand and the ball will stay there. To play the bunker shot well the golfer must grasp some simple concepts.

Since the club hits the sand prior to the ball the blow is softened, therefore the swing should be longer than you would normally have for the length of shot. The club should hit the sand anywhere from two to four inches behind the ball. The ball is played farther forward than for a normal pitch shot. This encourages hitting behind the ball. It is essential to swing the club through the sand without it getting stuck. For better bunker play follow these procedures.

a Line across toes to the left of target (open)

a Ball positioned opposite left heel

a Club face at target or a little to right of target (open)

a Swing club back and forward equal distance

a Let the club hit the sand before the ball

a The club should skip through the sand and not dig in

a Keep the club face open through the swing, this promotes the skipping sensation

a Do not try to lift the ball, let the loft on the club get the ball up

a Be firm; do not let the wrists be too loose

a Practice

Terry Gingell, is the PGA Director of Instruction at Eagle Valley Golf. He's now taking sign ups for Junior Golf Camps, Summer Sports Camps and Adult Group Lessons. For more information, call Terry, 690-7970