The dreaded sand trap! As far as golfers are concerned, sand should be reserved for David Hasselhoff’s swim trunk lining or the desert. It is the most difficult shot in golf to master and can turn a championship caliber round into a hack fest. Here are some tips from Leith Toyota for digging your way out of a sand trap.
- Don’t panic. It’s not like you’re in a mine field or anything dangerous. It’s just a pit of sand. Many golfers psych themselves out before they even reach the bunker. Mental strength is the calling card of a good golfer. Mental weakness and panic are the calling card of golfers who waste four strokes trying to get their ball out of the sand and end up throwing their wedge into a pond.
- Have a purpose. Think what it is you want to do. This will depend on the depth of the bunker, the location of the ball in relation to the edge of the bunker and how much sand is covering the ball. Don’t simply hope to hack the ball out when an approach shot is possible. Conversely, there’s no need to hit the pin when the best a reasonable golfer could do is get it out of the trap.
- Control the club. You don’t have the advantage of lining up your shot. You must, therefore, compensate by controlling the club better. This can be done with a narrower stance and by playing the ball a few inches forward in your stance. Choking down on the club gives you a better feel and better control.
- Establish a firm foundation. The wise man built his house upon a rock. The foolish man built his on the sand. The wise golfer should dig in deep with his feet and get as firm a stance as possible. Stability can be further enhanced by not twisting your hips and keeping your body still as you swing.
- Alter your normal swing. Swing with your arms and keep it vertical. Bringing the club straight back is nice for hitting the ball a long way when you’re on the fairway, but you’re not on the fairway. When you come down, hit the sand about an inch behind the ball, follow through with your body and arms, and remember that a steep angle is the key for moving the ball forward and out of the bunker.
- Practice. Many golfers neglect this important part of their game. Practicing these techniques will make the sand shot more relaxed and.... almost fun. Maybe.
