How to Hit Out of a Golf Bunker

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Courtesy of Dan Perry: http://www.danperry.com | Golf Course: Royal Links, Las Vegas, Nevada

Get yourself out of the bunker. Practice these steps and make the bunker shot feel as natural as any other shot.

“How to hit out of a golf bunker,” is the name of this lesson. To a pro golfer, bunker shots are a snap, and some of the easiest on the course. But for the rest of us, as you already know, bunker shots can be very frustrating. You just need to know the proper form.

Take the time to read and practice these steps, so you will have the right mechanics on how to hit out of a golf bunker. And, you will gain the solid foundation needed to conquer the bunkers. You can make the bunker shot just as natural as any other shot on the course.

The following are the steps for a normal sand bunker: (Note: Not for wet or hard sand)

A. This is the first step on how to hit out of a golf bunker. You will want to choke down on the golf club (position your right index finger about one inch from the bottom of the grip). You gain control by choking down on the club and it allows you to “feel” the shot rather than just hitting it.

B. Next, narrow your stance a little. Also, play the ball a few inches forward in your stance. This will give you more control of the shot and contribute to higher ball flight.

C. Now, with your feet dig into the sand a little. Get comfortable. Getting comfortable is important to how to hit out of a golf bunker.

D. Your body needs to be completely still throughout (no twisting hips).

E. Your swing starts with your arms and keep your swing vertical. Notice the end of the grip, point it at the ball at the top of your backswing. (Do not move the club straight back, remember steep is better here, if you want the proper swing on how to hit out of a golf bunker)

F. Notice your left arm. It should be fully extended and parallel to the ground at the top of your swing.

G. Start your downswing toward the sand and focus on hitting 1 inch behind the ball. Remember, don’t put your focus on hitting the ball, hit 1 inch behind the ball and the ball will get out every time! This is very important on how to hit out of a golf bunker.

H. When the ball leaves the sand, your arms and body follow it.

I. Remember – steep angle into the sand. This is the key. Also remember, you are advancing the ball, not blasting the ball out, so you don’t have to swing too hard.

This is what I want you to do:

Take 3 clubs and get in a bunker (take what you have if you don’t have all of them). These clubs are a pitching wedge, sand wedge, and a lob wedge, because you might not feel the most comfortable with a sand wedge. But take note of the differences in design and how each performs. Note that you are trying to learn how to hit out of a golf bunker, and game play in golf doesn’t have to be “rigid” and set in stone in all cases; there is room for creativity in your shots.

Using each club, hit a few shots. Now, really note the difference in how the ball comes out of the sand. Then, from those clubs, pick the one that bests suits you. But remember, with all these clubs swing steep and hit 1 inch behind the ball. If you like, draw a line in the sand behind the ball, as an aiming point, and hit the line.

Be sure to get in practice swings, whether at home, office, or on the golf course. Put your attention on bringing your club up at a steep angle. Practice is very important on how to hit out of a golf bunker. Look at your grip end; it should be pointing toward the ground. Stop for a moment – this is how you want to be positioned. You can stick a tee in the grip handle; this will help you to see if the grip is pointed over the ball. Now, do it a couple of times to make sure you know where to stop the golf club and begin your steep downswing. The downswing is simple from here! Just hit an inch behind the ball. For a few days, practice this, then go have some bunker fun!

Practice these tips and you will be on your way toward mastering the bunker shot.

About the author: Troy was introduced to his first game of golf by some of his long time friends. Well, at first, of course, the game was awkward and frustrating. But, the more games he played, the more he developed a love for the game. Now, he likes to help others in their pursuit of a “great” golf game. Troy has put together a website to do just that. There you can get many other free golf swing tips, and golf tips, just like the one above, just by signing up. Go to http://www.golfswingvoodoo.com/Play_better_golf.html to get started.

Posted by Guest Blogger on Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 4:43 pm   | ( 8 views )