Pro's Corner

Try applying the following ideas to help you next time you find yourself surrounded by sand!

First, try your best to loose “sand anxiety”. Hitting a quality golf shot is plenty hard when you have a perfect lie, no wind, and no one watching you.

Add a little sand, a target that can be close by, your pals watching your every move, and next thing you know, you are holding the club so tightly that Bonnie or Clyde couldn’t take it from you. So, try your best to relax knowing that what you need is a full swing; just like the one from the best case scenario described above. Relaxation can be and often is the common denominator in all good swings.

Secondly, realize that you need good club head speed-so, again, swing as if you had the easiest and least intimidating shot that you can imagine. Remember, when your club head enters the sand, it is almost like skimming through 6 inches of water-you’re dealing with a lot of friction. Slow or slowing club head speed is one of the largest contributors in leaving golf balls in bunkers.

The third idea deals with your “set-up”. Always position your body somewhat to the left (if you’re a right handed player) of the target and the clubface to the right of your target. Adjusting these two variables will dictate the height and carry of your bunker shots. The more exaggerated you are with the openness of your body and clubface, the higher and shorter the shot will be. On the other hand, the more square you are with your clubface and body, a lower and longer shot will be the result. Also, a good wide stance can be helpful throughout your stroke.

Next, be “handsy”. You may not find the aforementioned term in Webster’s Dictionary but you will find it in the vernacular of good bunker players. Quickly hinging, unhinging, and rehinging should encourage good club head speed and an “in and out” venture with your club face.

Finally, try to hit the sand with the very back of your club head. If the leading edge (the thin part of the club at the bottom front of the clubface) makes contact with the sand, your clubface will almost assuredly “dig” in the sand resulting in taking too much sand and the distinct possibility of tremendous loss of club head speed. By trying to the hit the sand with the back of your sand wedge, you will more than likely use the “bounce” of the club to help the wedge get through the sand without slowing your speed.

Take away these short tips –

* Relax – easy grip
* Good club head speed
* Open stance – open clubface
* Be handsy
* Hit the sand with back of club head

If all else fails, just try to stay out of the sand altogether!

Happy golfing!

John Kennedy is the Head Golf Professional/Club Manager at the Houstonian Golf & Country Club in Richmond, Texas.

www.houstoniangolf.com