Bunker play
Most golfers have read the tips on how to play out of bunkers and know that the key to escaping the sandy lie is to stand open to the targetline and hit two inches behind the ball.
However, many golfers make the common mistake of tilting backwards in an effort to ‘assist’ the ball over the steep face.
The problem is that by leaning backwards, the bottom of the player’s swing arc is no longer slightly behind the ball, but even further back – often resulting in a fat shot, where the strike is too far behind the ball, or a topped shot.
A nice drill is to practise with a circle drawn around the ball so that you can see where the entry point of the club is. Of course, you may not touch sand on the course before you make your strike, but do try this method when practising.
Follow these steps and you will be successful:
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Open the clubface before taking the grip.
- Stand in a level manner over the ball and dig your feet in for a stable base. Notice my zip is over the entry point in the sand and my shoulders are not too tilted.
- Hinge upwards on the backswing.
- The ‘thump’. In this picture Sally has remained over the ball. The speed of the clubhead has overtaken the ball, indicating that there has been no deceleration of the club.
- The bunker has a steep face, so hinge again and finish high with the weight on the left side. Sally’s shoulders have once more turned in a level manner and this means that the strike is perfect!
Meet the pro
Former SA Amateur champion Rae Hast spent 12 years on the Ladies European Tour after turning professional, winning the United Friendly Open in her very first year on tour. For the past 15 years she has taught the game full-time. She is head coach at Erinvale and last year was named the WPGA’s Coach of the Year 2009. She is also the president of the Women’s Professional Golf Association in South Africa.
