Ditching the Sand – Short Game Golf Lesson

Getting up and down out of green side bunkers is one of the skills many people admire with the pros.

Of course, the professional players invest the time to get this kind of accuracy.

But the most important fact is that they have a fearless mindset in the bunker.

Most amateurs get their heart pumping once their ball finds its way into the sand.

I think it is due to the fact that they are not playing often enough from the bunker.

They are not experienced enough with the possibilities and what they can and cannot do and therefore are afraid of hitting a million shots before getting out of the bunker.

The good news is that you do not have to invest that much time to develop a decent technique.

You simply have to do it. Once this fact sinks into your mind, you do not have to fear sand play any more.

The first thing you should focus on with your bunker shots is to get out consistently.

You do not want to be fancy and hole it from the bunker or anything. Just get out of it! In the end your chances are way higher to finish the hole with a chip or a putt.

Also think before you are aiming for the flag. If there is a huge lip in front of you maybe it would be better to aim sideways.

With all that said let‘s work on your sand shots today. Get in a bunker and draw several squares with your club, approximately 10 inches wide and long. Then start to shoot sand slices out of those squares.

Do not use any golf balls yet. Remember to open your clubface and swing through the sand.

When you have done this a couple of times, place a ball in the middle of your squares and get them out of the bunker.

• Draw squares with your club in the sand. Hit slices of sand from
  each square onto the green.
• Place balls in the middle of your squares and carry them out of the
  bunker on top of slices of sand.