The Golf Bunker Shot ExerciseBefore we take a look at the golf bunker shot exercise you need to understand the basics of playing these shots. In the greenside bunker shot and with all bunker shots identify the condition of the sand. What I mean is, how much sand is underneath your feet. This will tell you how hard you need to hit. Your lie is also going to tell you what you need to do. For example, if the shot can be played with an open or a closed clubface. Generally speaking the worse your lie the more closed your club face will be. The golf bunker shot is the only shot in golf where you need to duff the shot. Yes, we need to hit the sand behind the ball and get it in the air and onto the green. Most golfers struggle with bunker shots and often leave the ball in the sand after the first swing, or airmail the green. My students have shown lots of success with this exercise but first let’s take a look at the set up for bunker shots. A bunker shot needs a wider stance than the pitch shot. Bend the knees a little more than usual. You should waggle the feet a little into the sand to get a firm footing to swing from. If your feet sink quite deep then make sure you grip the club shorter. Ball position will be about 2 inches inside the left heel. Take an open stance at address keep the hands in line with the ball. There is very little body turn and no weight transfer in the back swing. This position allows your arms to swing on a steeper angle than the normal shot. Make sure you grip the club with the clubface open if the ball is lying on top of the sand. Remember, never ground your club in the sand when addressing the ball. A two stroke penalty if you do. Rather hover it over the sand you wish to strike and not the ball. Having the club weight in your hands will help you with better feel for the wrist hinge early in the back swing. To help you get the feeling of striking the sand behind the ball and following through, try this golf bunker shot exercise.
Draw two lines in the bunker as I have done, aim at the white line and hit through to the black line. Take long slow swings with atleast three quarter length. No need to chop down. Repeat this exercise till you build the feeling for splashing the sand out between the white and black lines.
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