| I counsel lots of golfers. Some of them are | | | | normal pitching stance. |
| professionals, some are highly ranked amateurs and | | | | 5. You must choke down on the club. This will give |
| juniors. Others are weekend warriors hoping to win a | | | | you more control. |
| few more dollars and maybe the club championship. | | | | 6. The bunker shot is a three quarter swing. |
| While most pros do not mind hitting out of bunkers, | | | | 7. In general, try to take a divot which is one inch |
| some golfers hate being stuck in the sand. It is | | | | deep when you are in a bunker. |
| obvious that they become angry, frustrated and | | | | 8. Use your sand wedge for the majority of your |
| anxious when they land their ball in the sand. | | | | bunker shots. Once you master the sand wedge in |
| In order to compile some useful tips for weekend | | | | the bunker, you can experiment with other wedges, |
| golfers who struggle with bunker shots, I spent | | | | your eight iron and your nine iron to accommodate |
| some time with one of the finest teaching | | | | various lies and distances from the pin. |
| professionals I know. Jon Manos is a PGA professional | | | | 9. Imagine that the ball is sitting in the center of a |
| who teaches near my office in BergenCounty, New | | | | dollar bill and take a dollar of sand when you swing at |
| Jersey. Jon, who has his own golf school at the | | | | the ball. |
| Closter Driving Range, is very adept at breaking | | | | 10. Swing your club in the direction you want the ball |
| down the various aspects of the golf game and | | | | to travel. |
| providing golfers with simple ways to improve the | | | | 11. Keep your hand pressure the same as you do on |
| wide range of shots that comprise a balanced golf | | | | your normal pitch shot. Many players have a |
| game. | | | | tendency to hold the club too firmly in the sand. |
| According to Jon, "If the sand were spray painted | | | | 12. Don't dig your feet into the sand. This will make |
| green, everyone would be fine." In his view, the | | | | the bunker shot more difficult for you. |
| bunker shot is really no different than the shot that | | | | 13. Some pros use an open stance when they want |
| golfers refer to as a pitch. The color of the sand, the | | | | to hit out of a bunker. Jon does not think this is right |
| texture and the depth of the bunker seems to | | | | or necessary for the average golfer. |
| intimidate many golfers. | | | | 14. Practice this shot often. You will probably find out |
| If you want to hit your bunker shots with more | | | | that it is not as difficult as you think it is. In fact, |
| consistency and with more accuracy, here are a few | | | | some golfers love to play out of the sand because |
| simple tips to help you master the physical and | | | | they feel the shot is easy, since they can miss the |
| mental aspects of the bunker shot. | | | | ball and hit a great shot. |
| 1. Imagine that you are trying to get the sand in | | | | In addition to the mechanical skills required to |
| front of the ball and behind the ball onto the green. | | | | execute a good sand shot,golfers need to be calm, |
| This is a great way to help you visualize the feel and | | | | confident and focused when they confront bunker |
| trajectory you need on your shot. | | | | shots. It is useful for golfers to be skilled in |
| 2. Keep your knees flexed and remain in a crouch | | | | self-hypnosis so that they can get themselves into |
| throughout your shot. | | | | the right frame of mind to successfully execute the |
| 3. Don't make the mistake of trying to help the ball | | | | bunker shot and other challenging shots. Remember, |
| out of the bunker with your shoulders. | | | | you need to control you emotions and your mind to |
| 4. Move your front foot back two inches from your | | | | play consistent golf. |