For many amateur golfers, like me, having to hit a bunker shot can conjure a variety of negative emotions.
Some players feel scared of not being able to get out without hacking away over and over again, while others fear the opposite – a knifed strike that sails over the green and into even more trouble.
Sadly, I have fallen into both camps at one time or another. In one specific scenario, I was so embarrassed by my endless hacking in the bunker, with the ball travelling nowhere at all, that I decided to just pick up.
In hindsight, that didn’t really help me in the long run. No matter your aversion to the sand traps, it’s important to address the issue and find a fail-safe shot that you know will limit the damage to your scorecard and lead to better bunker play.
That might not be your traditional up-and-down, but even giving yourself a shot to get out and a two-putt can seriously limit those big numbers plaguing your round.
Fortunately, PGA Pro and Golf Monthly Staff Writer Joe Ferguson is on hand to help you do just that with this helpful video and article, where he shares his top tips to escape the sand.
How Can I Consistently Get Out Of The Bunker First Time?
Joe Ferguson
Joe has worked in the golf industry for nearly 20 years in a variety of roles. After a successful amateur career being involved in England squads at every age group, Joe completed his PGA degree qualification in 2014 as one of the top ten graduates in his training year and subsequently went on to become Head PGA Professional at Ryder Cup venue The Celtic Manor Resort.
Equipment has always been a huge passion of Joe’s, and during his time at Celtic Manor, he headed up the National Fitting Centres for both Titleist and Taylormade.
Finding the bunker can be infuriating, irrespective of whether you have come up just short with a well-struck approach shot or thinned one straight into the trap. Rather than dwelling on it, it’s important to come up with a proactive plan to rectify the situation.
As you can see in the video above, I have come up short-sided in the greenside bunker, which for a player who isn’t confident in the sand can be one of the worst case scenarios.
Still, it’s possible to play a sensible shot that will put you back on track and at least give you a…
..
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Golf Monthly…