Golfing Tips: Getting out of the bunker
The Author: NMBG StaffPublished: October 15th, 2010
Last Updated: October 5th, 2022
Ah yes, the dreaded bunkers. We’ve all been there. Some of us are still there. And to make matters worse, when some of us do get out, we have no idea exactly how we did it. The following article will discuss the basics and tackle a little bit of the intricacies involved of successfully navigating your way out of sand traps.
For a sure-fire thought process when amidst a bunker try to harness these basics:
Swing thought one – GET IT OUT, leaving your shot in the bunker will just add stokes to your game, you have a better chance of chipping up and making a long putt by “Getting It Out” than leaving your shot in the bunker.
Swing thought two – GET IT ON, As you have moved up with a better Bunker game from swing thought one, Getting It On” means getting the shot on the green, any where on the green increase chances of making better scores by making a long putt.
Swing thought three – GET IT IN, you are now a pretty good bunker player and can “Get It Out” and “Get It On” with consistency. The next step is to make the shot. That’s right positive swing thoughts will increase your score every time.
Some of the bunker basics include keeping a wide open stance as well as an open club face as much as you can. Always make sure you have solid footing. Slipping and sliding throughout a shot is undoubtedly not a good maneuver. To keep it simple, consider that for every degree open you rotate your stance, match it with an open clubface. As you do that, situate the target right in between the two angles. One of the keys to your swing in the bunker is to think about speed not strength. In order to keep your swing complete, the concentration of swinging faster as opposed to harder will keep you swinging through the ball and not down into the sand. This also triggers a more complete body rotation as well. A full body rotation is helpful in order to use less hands. Less hand action makes it easier to keep your club face open. In sum, the body must be completely active. Wrists and feel and remember it’s all trial and error.
If you are up for the challenge, these courses have some tough bunkers to overcome: Legends Moorland, Barefoot Dye, Prestwick, True Blue, Kings North, Leopard’s Chase, and Tiger’s Eye.
