Having trouble staying out of the beach on the golf course? As
a collegiate golfer and coach, I know the terror and frustration of the sand
traps. But with focused practice, you
CAN improve your skills with the sand wedge and improve your game. Consider the 6 tips that I’ve developed for
mastering the sand trap.
1 – Open Your Stance --- Open your stance by pulling your front
foot back a little so you are aimed left of your target. Also, sit down in your stance (like you are
sitting on a horse) so that you can get your club face under the ball better.
2 –Position the Ball --- The ball should be in the front of your
stance off of your front foot aligned with your big toe or on the inside of
your foot.
3 – Open the Face --- Open your club face so that the club face is
looking up and not at the green so you are able to get the height you need to
get over the lip of the trap and to land softly on the green.
4 – Sand First! --- Make sure to hit the sand first. You want to hit
into the sand approximately 3 inches behind the ball.
5 – The Swing --- During the back swing, be sure to take the club
slightly outside and come down steeply during the downward swing. Do not
decelerate upon contact with the ball; you need to complete the swing to the
end of the follow-thru.
6 – No Touch --- Don’t forget that practice swings are not allowed in
the sand trap; a practice swing touching the club to the sand will cost you a
penalty stroke!
Success in the sand trap can only
be achieved through solid skill development.
Get out there and practice!!!
I dread landing in the sand traps, because I have a problem with declerating my swing after I make contact with the ball. I will try to continue my swing speed throughout the follow-thru. Thanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteGreat Tips!
ReplyDeleteMy sand trap nemesis is #6; fear of inadvertently grounding my club while setting up + being unable to take a practice swing. Somehow this gets to me mentally and zaps my concentration. I think practice is key, but it's not always easy to find a range/practice facility with a (functioning) sand trap. (especially here in New England in the winter) The installation of a sand trap is something that should definitely be considered when a practice facility is created/upgraded.
I often times find myself in the sand trap and other hazards on the golf course! Like Dr. Peak mentioned, many people, including myself, fail to follow-thru with their swing speed in the sand. Many times I often find myself treating it as a chip shot rather than trying to get enough loft on the ball so that it can clear the bunker, as well as land softly on the green so it doesn't scuttle across to the opposite side! These are great tips for all types of golfers! Thanks Katy!
ReplyDeleteIt seems I spend a great deal of time in the sand trap. Are there any tips on how to stay out of the sand? I also struggle with #6. I find it hard to make contact behind the ball and hit the sand first. You are definitely right about the need for practice but it needs to be quality. Next time I am working on my golf game I will take 20 quality shots out of the sand trap. Do you have any tips for the tee off and using your driver? Being a former college baseball player I have developed a number of bad habits in my swing technique. It is difficult for me to stay closed and therefore I slice the ball a majority of the time. Any ideas?
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