You need to execute your physical technique properly if you hope to get out of the traps with ease, but you also need to have a proper mental plan. If you don’t have the right strategies in mind, or you don’t have the right attitude, it is going to be difficult to succeed with these shots. In this section, we are going to highlight some of the keys to making smart decisions while playing from the sand.
Get over the previous shot. If your ball is in a bunker, it is likely that you made a mistake with your previous swing. A poor shot probably led to your current position in the sand, and you might be annoyed about having made that mistake in the first place. So, the first order of business when heading into a bunker is to put the previous shot behind you. There is nothing you can do to correct your error, so you might as well move on. Focus all of your attention on hitting a great bunker shot while not wasting any energy fretting about your mistake.
Embrace the challenge. Do you look at bunker shots as a nuisance, or an opportunity? If you think of them as nothing more than annoying situations which must be dealt with, you are already in a negative frame of mind before you even get started. Rather than seeing things on the negative side, look at each bunker shot as an opportunity to show off your skills. With one beautiful swing of the club in the sand, you can turn a bad situation into a good one.
Evaluate all options. It is easy to make the mistake of rushing into action when playing a bunker shot. If you just take a quick look at the terrain in front of you and play the first shot that comes to mind, you might be missing an opportunity. Take an extra moment to look around and make sure there isn’t a better option waiting to be used. Once you are sure that you have identified the best option available, go ahead and play the shot.
Making smart decisions is always important in golf, and that certainly remains true when in a bunker. Keep your temper under control, be patient while making your decisions, and have a positive attitude throughout the process.
