August 3, 2022 9:10 am

No one enjoys bunker shots.  We have all seen and done the classic bunker shot error where we accelerate the club into the sand full of hope and expectation, only to come to a grinding halt immediately after impact with the sand. This is largely for fear of catching the middle of the ball with the leading edge of the sand wedge and watching in stunned horror as the golf ball then travels like an Exocet missile, head height over the green into the car park at the back of the green.

Follow through

The key is to follow through. But that’s easier said than done. After all, everything about the bunker shot is illogical. Firstly, you are trying to miss the ball. Then you are trying to hit as hard as possible to go no distance at all. Plus, there is the potential fear that clumping the sand hard behind the ball may lead to a great deal of discomfort.

Best ever tip

The best tip I have ever found for improving people’s follow though in bunkers is one I stole off an ex-colleague at World of Golf, Mark Norton, a great teaching professional. Make sure at the end of the swing you have your tummy button facing the target. This will make sure you do not grind to a halt at impact. Instead, momentum will continue sufficiently to throw the sand and thus the ball out of the trap. It’s also a very easy thing to think as you are playing the shot.

I have seen this tip work on the most ardent quitter on bunker shots. Do give it a go.

Categorised in: Tip of the month, World of Golf London