Coaching Tips - Splash the sand out not the ball!

SPLASH THE SAND ONTO THE GREEN

How many golfers do we see that have trouble hitting the ball out of the bunker?

From my experience it is quite common for older players to feel uncomfortable or lack confidence in a sand trap.

So let me go back to my initial statement, do we really want to hit the ball out of the bunker? The answer is no! we actually want to hit the sand out of the bunker and if we have taken the correct amount of sand the ball will automatically come out and with ease.

Standing with your knees a more flexed than normal (and keeping them flexed throughout the entire swing). Now practice hitting the sand out onto the green, at first you may take too much a good guide is to rest the shaft of the club on your left shoulder for right handers at the end of the swing. If you do not take enough sand it will not fly onto the green and conversely if you cannot finish with the clubshaft resting on your left shoulder you probably took too much sand.

Once you get a hang of doing both things comfortably without a ball, place a ball in the sand and visualize the same motion as before

Sometimes the simplest of drills can set us straight and lift our confidence. I think this is one of these!