Practice This Drill - Master Greenside Bunker Shots

Are you having trouble with your greenside bunker shots? if so, try this drill and you will begin
to spend some time at the beach with success. It is called the “Board at the Beach” drill. Too many players allow the club to dig deep into the bunker, not bounce the club through the sand. The excessive digging action of the club will result in poor shots. Learn to bounce the club through the sand, not dig.

The correct way to swing the club into the sand is to use the rounded sole or bounce of the club. As you take your stance with a slightly open club face, swing the club and hit the sand approximately two inches behind the ball. Make sure you always accelerate through the shot. The force of the club meeting the sand will push the ball out of the bunker. The “Board at the Beach” drill will give you that proper feeling.

Take a half-inch piece of plywood, approximately two feet by four feet, and place it in the bunker. Cover the front half of the board with sand. Now, place the ball on the sand and hit a couple of greenside bunker shots. Make sure you hit the sand area of the board. You will feel the club bounce through the sand and the board, resulting in a fantastic “slap” feel.

You will learn on the downswing how to feel the correct angle of attack and how the club will bounce through the sand, rather than dig. This swing movement will give you the proper mechanics to execute greenside bunker shots. Try this drill a couple of times, and you will be happy to spend some time at the beach, while at the golf course. It’s a great way to start your new year with good golf from the beach.

John Nelson is the South Florida PGA Hall of Fame Class A Teaching Professional who is the Director of Instruction at the Golf Academy located at the County Club of Coral Springs, Coral Springs, Fl. 954-752-4500 x 204, email: jnelson@ccofcs.com, Web page:  www.ccofcs.com.