Bunker play is an area of the game most amateurs neglect, yet they throw their hands in the air in disgust when they fail to splash the ball out effortlessly into the middle of the green every time. Fortunately, PGA pro Katie Dawkins has a great drill that will hopefully inspire you to dedicate more time to this worthy pursuit.
For a lot of golfers, the only practise they get in this department is during the monthly medal. So, if you aren’t lucky enough to have a practice bunker at your disposal, you could perhaps nip out onto the course an odd evening.
RELATED: Best sand wedges
However, if you do, it’s probably best to hit only one or two shots in each trap, otherwise the greenkeepers will be queueing up to send a bunch of hate mail. Anyway, to the drill…
Bunker play made easy: Traffic light drill
Draw a set of traffic lights (three large fried-egg-sized circles) in the sand and don’t forget the stalk. Position the stalk opposite the inside of your front foot – this indicates a ball position that is further forward than a normal iron shot, encouraging you to hit sand before ball – and place a ball on the furthest light from you.
Make three circles in the sand as shown above, with a ball in the middle of the last one
You are going to address the back of the bottom circle on your traffic lights as you would do if a ball were nestled in the centre of it. The idea is to remove the entire circle of sand with a lovely positive swing. Get through to that finish and set up to the second circle. Repeat the same positive action. Bang. Bang.
RELATED: 3 keys to better pitching
Then again, repeat with the third circle. This one should have a ball in it and what you should find is that you have gathered momentum by this point and your club glides through the sand a lot easier than you’re used to.
On the third shot, you should find it easier to get the ball out of the bunker
However, don’t get comfortable as that startled look on your face as the ball pops out onto the green will soon wear off. Go again!
Do NOT decelerate!
We aim for the back of the circle and…
..
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Golf Monthly RSS Feed…