Become a pro in golf


Golf - Getting To Grips With Bunker Shots

If you are hacking around in the bunker and
wondering how on earth to master thisWhen it comes to your swing, shorten your
particular golfing problem then this articlebackswing by about one quarter and mirror
could just save your bacon as we reveal thethis three-quarter swing on your
secret to getting you out of the bunkersfollow-through. In a bunker shot your aim is
quickly  and  easily.not to hit the ball with the club head but,
instead, to aim for a point about two to
A bunker, also known as a trap, is an area ofthree inches behind the ball so that you
ground, often a small natural depression,scoop up some sand which, in turn, makes
from which the turf has been removed andcontact with the ball and shoots it up and
replaced with sand, water or tall grass.out  of  the  bunker.
Where a bunker crosses the line of play it is
often  referred  to  as  a  cross  bunker.If you're taking your shot on an uphill slope
of the bunker be careful to keep your
The secret to tackling a bunker shot is toshoulders level and avoid the tendency to
establish a solid base with a firm footingtilt them with the slope. If you are taking a
that will support your swing withoutshot on a downhill slope of the bunker, open
slipping. In establishing this firm baseyour stance a little, steepen your backswing
however you must be careful not to dig yourand swing slightly more aggressively. Be
feet in too well or you will make your legscareful not to close the face of the club and
rigid and encourage too strong a shot. Theaccelerate  through  the  ball.
essence lies in keeping your lower body still
with  very  little  movement  in  your  legs.If you're having trouble with bunker shots
then  he  are  a  couple of exercises to try.
You should stand with your weight favoring
your left side (unless you're a left-handerPut a tee in the sand so that just the top is
in which case you should favor your rightvisible. Then put a ball on the tee and try
side) and your stance should be opened and ahitting the tee about halfway down its
little wider than normal to restrict yourlength. This will help you to focus on
backswing and also to steepen your swing. Yougetting  under  the  ball.
should also turn your knees in slightly, so
that you have more weight on the inside ofNext, draw a straight line in the sand with
your  feet.the handle of the bunker rake and stand so
that you are straddling the line with it
As with all golf shots you should have aslightly left of center. Then practice making
firm, but light grip. If your grip is tooswings to splash the sand forward with your
tight your wrists will become rigid andclub head hitting the sand on the line. Once
you'll find it hard to slide the club underyou are consistently hitting the line, put a
the ball and into the sand. You should alsoball down a couple of inches to the left of
move your grip slightly farther down the clubthe  line  and  continue  your  practice.
shaft than normal, about half an inch will be
enough, as this will not only make it easierAs with everything else, the secret to a good
to hit the ball, but will also discourage youbunker shot lies in a sound technique and
from burying your feet in the sand. Finally,plenty of practice. If you spend a bit of
hinge your wrists slightly earlier than youtime practicing bunker shots not only will
would normally to encourage a steeper angleyou find that your score goes down, but your
of  attack  on  your  downswing.level of frustration will also go down.



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