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The previous 3 lessons have got you set up to play a standard bunker shot and
given you an objective in playing it. That's to take a divot of sand out of the
bunker with the ball being a part of that divot. Sand and ball go up and
forwards with the ball flying out of the bunker.
You may be wondering if the swing you use to make that divot of sand is any
different to the other swings you make and the short answer is, Yes it is. It
is most like the swing you use to play a pitch shot in that you vary the length
of the swing depending on how far you want the ball to go. Simply put, you make
a short swing to make the ball go a short distance, increasing the length of
your swing to get the ball to go further.
A long swing for a short bunker shot usually means the club is slowing up as it
goes into the sand which is a bunker play No No. Your aim is to accelerate the
club head through the sand keeping in mind that your sand wedge works best when
it does just that.The sole of the club acts like a mini bull dozer blade by
pushing the sand up and out of the way. Your ball isn't going to go very far if
the club head doesn't pick up speed as it moves through the sand under it.
The length of your backswing can be determined by how fully you hinge your
wrists. For a short 'out' of say 4 to 7 yards or metres you might only half
hinge your wrists. For a long bunker shot of 12 to 18 yards or metres you might
hinge your wrists fully.
The swing is a little more vertical than your pitching swing. There is no need
to put any extra effort into the swing though you might want to take a firmer
hold of the club to counter the effect of hitting the sand. Taking that divot
of sand should not stop you from completing your swing through with your hands
up and over your left shoulder and your body turned towards the target. Getting
to this position almost guarantees you have accelerated the club head through
the sand.
Once you get used to taking that divot of sand you may be surprised by how
quickly you develop touch and feel for the shot.
Take a divot of sand out under the ball, watch the ball land softly on green
and run up towards the hole and you too will begin to think the shot is easy.
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