SET UP Take an extra, extra wide stance—probably close to double your normal stance. It will feel a little bit weird at first. Your stance is extraordinarily wide so that your lower body cannot (and it should not) move during the swing. Camber your feet towards each other into the sand, but do not dig your feet in too much or you will risk having your feet below the ball and catching too much sand. Sit down and lower your buttocks and hips to help anchor the lower body. The ball will be right in the middle of your stance, and your body is parallel to the target. Your hands hold the handle of the club level with the middle of your body (the belly button is a good guide) so that the club is positioned either at the ball or slightly behind the ball. No need to open up the clubface—just use a 55–65-degree wedge with the face pointing at the target line.
SWING Your lower body remains still and stable with no weight shift or movement in the backswing. Your upper body and arms turn and take the club back to about a ¾ backswing (or as far as you can go) with the left arm straight, not bending. Your arms and torso lead the club down to the sand and ball. Let the club bottom out in the sand in the middle of your stance, and let the clubhead pass your hands as it goes through the sand—use the sand to get the ball out, not the club striking the ball. Your lower body remains still and most importantly, CANNOT end up with more weight on the back foot or the result will be hitting the middle of the ball and zooming it across the green. The arms finish the shot with at least equal length to the backswing and usually a little higher (meaning you must keep your speed going through the sand). If the club slows down at impact or stops after impacting the sand, usually the ball will not get out of the bunker, so you get to try it again. This method is nothing fancy but does get the ball out. For more details, check out the video on my website: www.StGeorgeGolfLessons.com. I hope this helps and as always, fairways and greens.V Rob Krieger, PGA
July/August 2021 | VIEW ON MAGAZINE |
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