Doc’s Pro Lesson: Making Bunker Play Easy
This week’s lesson comes from PGA Professional Wayne O’Callaghan at his academy in Fernhill Golf Club, Carrigaline Cork. info@wayneocallaghangolf.com, www.fernhillcountryclub.com.
I have often seen players in bunkers with a great stance and the clubface perfectly splayed open to let the bounce of the sand wedge work only for it to fall apart in the execution. Then there are the players that thin the ball out of a bunker only to look down incredulously and blame the lack of sand rather than themselves. This situation happens, in my view, due to a lack of understanding about what they are trying to do. To play a good bunker shot it is fundamentally important to understand that the club has to slide under the golf ball and it is actually the sand that explodes the ball out. A great drill to improve bunker play is to place a ball on a tee in the bunker; with the ball up in the air it is easier to visualize the club going under the ball. Take your stance and swing focusing on hitting the bottom of the tee in the sand. If you are successful the ball should just drop down as the tee is sent airborne. The next step is now to place the ball on the sand but visualize the ball as if it were still on the tee as you slide the club under the ball and execute the shot.
With practice bunker play will become easy but I must emphasize the word PRACTICE! – See more at:
