Beating The Bunker

Top Golf Tips For Beating The Bunker

When a golfer ends up in the bunker, you can usually hear swearing all the way to the clubhouse. It's not that they are bad; it's just that they feel bunkers can defeat them. There are a few hidden tips that not many people have caught onto yet.

• Don't panic - the worst thing that you can do is panic. A clear and confident mind when playing the shot will work wonders for the swing, and will maximise the chances of success.
• Make sure your swing is complete - you swing right through the ball, all the way from the backswing, through to the downswing, and through the ball to the end of the upswing.

• Strike the sand around 1 - 2 inches behind the ball, you are effectively 'cushioning' the golf ball with a thin layer of sand.

• Your swing speed when playing the ball out of a golf bunker should not be too fast. 

Here are a few hidden bunker busters that will make you wish that you knew this before you hit your first bunker. Your first step is to imagine that the bunker is not your worst enemy. If you think the bunker is your worst enemy, you will fear them and this will have an adverse effect on your game. So next time you land in one, don't just give up, hit the ball, and hope. That will get you nowhere. You will just end up taking another bunker shot; and the scorecard will increase with every shot you take. Another important thing to keep in mind is your footing. Many people will simply allow their feet and legs to adjust to the sand. That is not the best thing to do; make the sand work for you by taking the time to establish your footing. The next thing you should do is take a open stance and get relaxed.

If you are comfortable on the tee, then why can't you be comfortable in the bunker? After this, you will need to distribute your weight in a effective manner; usually more to the left-hand side is the best way to go when you are trapped in a bunker. Now practice your motion. When swinging the club, move the same distance backwards as you do forward. Learn it and remember it: the shot in the bunker will always be tricky. You should now prepare for the shot, but remember to hit the sand roughly two inches before the ball. This creates a scoop effect that will allow the ball to be played out of the rough instead of rolling straight into the same bunker. You should also accelerate through the ball. This allows for more power in the shot and will give the ball that little bit of extra distance towards the hole. Always remember that the sand is your ally, not your enemy.

Don't fear the bunker and you will constantly surprise yourself with the one-shot bunker trick. Fortunately, what a lot of golfers fail to realise is that an escape shot from the bunker is not a hard shot to play. With practice, the bunker shot can be one which is played with confidence, and you will soon be hitting out of a bunker and on to the green.