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Golf Tips Sand Game

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Green Bunkers

Golf Tips Sand Game - Overcome Your Fear - Golf Sand Game Tips

A fear for this type of shot is quite common. To overcome fear practice positive visualization. The ball flying out of the bunker and on the green. Fear will only create tension and this produces tightening of the muscles. When one tightens up he inhibits the swing, causing the dreaded deceleration . . . which leaves more balls in the bunker than one would care to talk about.

Golf Tips Sand Game - Hard Sand - Golf Tips Sand Game

When hitting from hard sand, use a pitching wedge and play a normal pitch shot.

Golf Tips Sand Game - 2 Inches - Golf Tips Sand Game

All you have to do is hit the sand two inches behind the ball as hard as you want and make sure that you follow through.

Golf Tips Sand Game - Address The Ball - Golf Tips Sand Game

Your address position is absolutely key. Feet, hips and shoulders are slightly open, with the clubface aligned to the target. Ball position is forward of center. Your weight should lean slightly toward the target.

Golf Tips Sand Game - Sand First - Golf Tips Sand Game

Contact the sand first. Your sand wedge was designed specifically to slide through sand without digging to deeply, taking a thin cut of sand. The ball rides out with the sand.

Golf Tips Sand Game - Low Stance - Golf Tips Sand Game

It is an awkward position when the ball is below your feet in a bunker. Here are a few tips to help you execute this shot.

You should choke down on the club for most bunker shots. Not so for this one. With the ball below your feet, you should take advantage of every inch of your sand wedge to help you reach the ball.

Use a wide stance. This not only will provide a firm foundation for the shot, it also will make it easier for you to reach the ball.

Your wrists will be very active on this shot. Cock your wrists quickly as you take the club back. An upright swing path and some slice spin on the ball cannot be avoided, so be sure to aim to the left of the pin, as the ball is likely to roll to the right after it hits the green.

Golf Tips Sand Game - Escape a Plugged Lie - Golf Tips Sand Game

One of the most difficult shots in golf is from a greenside bunker with a plugged lie.

Unlike most short bunker shots, which require an open stance, your setup for this type of shot should be square, with the ball in the center of your stance.

Get the feeling of picking up the club at a very steep angle and take a long backswing. If you do not do that you will have a difficult time generating enough clubhead speed to get the ball out of the bunker.

On the downswing, think of burying the clubhead into the sand, behind the ball. This should produce the necessary stabbing action needed to get the ball out of the bunker.

Most average players have a pretty good idea of how hard to swing in a greenside bunker with a normal lie. A rule of thumb: Swing twice as hard with a plugged lie.

Do not worry about hitting the ball over the green. If the ball is truly plugged, there is very little chance of that happening.

Remember that it is impossible for anyone -- even touring professionals -- to get backspin on a bunker shot from a plugged lie, so allow for the ball to run.

Do not try to hit a miracle shot. If the lie is so poor that it would be an accomplishment just to advance the ball onto the green, accept that as a small victory, forget about your bad luck and move on to the next shot.

Golf Tips Sand Game - 2 Clubs More - Golf Tips Sand Game

Take two clubs more than normal for a general rule when playing from a fairway bunker.

Golf Tips Sand Game - Choke Down - Golf Tips Sand Game

Choke down one inch with a light grip.

Golf Tips Sand Game - Must Get Out - Golf Tips Sand Game

Choose a club with enough loft to clear the lip. Error on the side of too much loft.

Golf Tips Sand Game - Ball Position - Golf Tips Sand Game

Position the ball slightly farther back in your stance.

Golf Tips Sand Game - Contact - Golf Tips Sand Game

Contact the ball before the sand.

Golf Tips Sand Game - Position - Golf Sand Game Tips

Your fairway bunker shots are bound to improve if you follow these suggestions:

Take a little wider stance than normal, lean slightly into your lead leg and dig your feet into the sand. This will help restrict body turn, minimize leg action and secure your footing.

Position the ball in the center of your stance with your hands slightly ahead of the ball.

Grip down on the club a quarter to one-half inch.

Make a smooth tempo three-quarter-length backswing.

Swing forward, trying to pick the ball off the sand.

Pick your club selection only after you have examined your lie, how far away and how high the front lip of the bunker is, and how much distance the ball has to travel. Take at least one more club to hit fairway bunker shots.