What we try to do when playing out of the bunker is to let the clubface slide through the sand underneath the ball. When you play this shot with a square clubface, the leading edge will dig into the sand more than what you want. As a result the ball won’t travel as far as you intended, sometimes not even out of the bunker.
What you need to do is turn the club in your hands so that the clubface aims right of the target. Never turn your forearms and hands to open the clubface, your hands will simply return back to square.
We would even recommend making your grip slightly weaker – this is to ensure the clubface remains open through impact.
Now you might realise there’s a good chance the ball will go to the right, assuming you are a right-handed player. This is why we adjust our alignment left of the target. Don’t get confused, we call this also ‘open to the target’ when the feet aims left.
Ball position is a personal preference. Make a few practice swings in the sand and try to establish where you strike the ground more often – more in the middle of your stance or a bit closer to your front foot? That will determine where you should place your ball.
Should you put your hands lower on the club? Experiment a little in the practice bunker and determine when do you slide the best through the sand. You may just take a little too much sand when your hands are at the top of the club, or struggle to take enough sand when you choke down on the club. Choice is yours.
Finally, lean a bit more to the target with more weight on your front foot like when you are chipping.
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Tip By Carlo Kok, KeNako Coaching Team
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