Seven Tips for Improving Your Bunker Play

1. Choose the right golf club.

One of the keys to improving your bunker play is ensuring you use a good sand-wedge club. Ideally, the club’s underside should be well-sloped and smooth, which will allow the head of the club to effortlessly slide under the golf ball and hit it out of the trap.

2. Give yourself the time you need to get good footing.

Always allow yourself the time to establish good footing in the sand. Rather than allowing your feet to get used to being in the sand, make an effort to sink them into until you have solid stance.

3. Relax.

It’s essential that you relax by having the right mindset. Just because you’re in a sand trap doesn’t mean you’re going to have trouble getting out. Relaxing starts with your stance. Make sure your feet are approximately shoulder-width apart and are pointing slightly left of your target as this will allow you to swing through the ball more effectively.

4. Take several practice swings.

Before you take your shot, take several practice swings. Be sure that when you swing your club, you always go as far backward as you go forward. It won’t help to just swish the club back and forth.

Practice it in exactly the same way as if you were going to hit the ball. Obviously don’t touch the sand though!

5. Know where to hit the golf ball.

Once you’ve relaxed and taken your practice swings, survey the green ahead of you so you know where you want to hit the golf ball. Keep that marker in your head and visualize yourself hitting the ball to that precise point.

6. Imagine the shot before you take it.

Carrying on from the last point, as you’re preparing to hit the ball, imagine the shot before you actually take it. Imagine the shot as you want it to be. Remember, thinking positively is critical to overcoming the tension that’s often a result of being in the bunker in the first place.

7. Take the shot.

Take a deep breath, and take the shot, taking care to ensure that your club hits the sand at least two inches before it hits the ball. Always take a full swing but adjust the speed depending on how long the shot is. This will help you to avoid quitting on the ball which are why many people fail to get out of the bunker the first time round.