You're Correct!

If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself in a bunker there are a number of things that should be taken into consideration before deciding whether to attack the hole.

The first and most important thing is how the ball is lying. If the ball is sitting down, buried or in some type of depression then attacking the hole could be very dangerous indeed. If the ball is sitting on top of the sand in a good lie then going for the shot is made much easier.

Inspecting the lie should also include the position of the ball in the sand, the distance from the lip and its height as well as the position of the hole. A combination of a bad lie combined with a high lip and close flag position will make the shot very difficult.

As well as the lie and bunker condition, a players position in the match also needs to be taken into account. Attacking a difficult pin from a tough lie is necessary in some circumstances whilst attacking the hole from a favourable position is not needed in others. Whatever the decision then a good basic splash bunker shot technique should be learned. This technique will help golfers escape from most situations around the green.

The splash bunker shot

• For the splash bunker shot use a high lofted club like a sand wedge.
• Open up the club face before taking the grip. The higher the golfer wants to hit the ball the more they should open up the club face. The club can be opened very wide, enough to balance a glass of water on top.
• Golfers can grip the club high on the handle to help avoid quitting on the shot or hold the handle nearer the shaft for more control.
• Gripping the club firmly with the back two fingers of the left hand will help you hold the club face open through impact. You dont want the club face closing down through the shot.
• Take a square stance with the ball slightly forward of centre and the club face aimed right of the target.
• To complete the set up move the left foot, hips and shoulders left until the clubs leading edge aims at the target.
• To ensure a crisp sweeping motion under the ball, make a long, smooth swing along the body line, hinging the wrists upwards before swinging down and entering the sand an inch behind the ball.
• The swing should flow about an inch under the ball taking out a divot the size of $1 bill. The bill should start an inch behind the ball and extend through and after.
• Extend through the ball and finish in a full position. The ball should fly towards the target on a carpet of sand.

Never feel the need to attack every shot from the bunker. Assess the lie and other factors mentioned first then decide.

Many amateurs marvel at how easy professional golfers make standard bunker shots look. This is because they understand that bunkers hold no fear and can be conquered with relative ease if a correct technique is applied. Dont fear bunkers, look forward to them.

Try to make sure you play at different courses with different types of bunkers to get a better rounded short game. Many golfers, such as American players visiting a British links course, can have a real fright at the difference in bunkers and not know how to tackle them. When deciding if to attack a hole from the bunker, inspect the lie first and then assess other aspects about the shot which could cause problems.