| Admit it: You hate bunkers. So do I. So does every | | | | always easy. But do your best. Concentrate on |
| golfer. Even if you've mastered the basics-open the | | | | maintaining balance while taking a normal bunker swing. |
| clubface, hit behind the ball, finish the swing-you still | | | | If you can remain balance throughout the shot, the |
| dread the thought of landing in a bunker. But it's hard to | | | | results will be good. |
| resist firing at the flag when you have the chance. | | | | Downhill Lie |
| Players with low golf handicaps know how to drop it | | | | If there's no lip, you can often putt it out. If there's a lip, |
| close. It's why you take golf lessons, study golf tips in | | | | play the ball forward in your stance. Position it in line |
| magazines, and hit balls at the practice range. It's what | | | | with your front foot. Tilt your shoulders so they're |
| golf is all about. | | | | parallel to the slope. Then take a normal bunker swing. |
| Unfortunately, when you miss, you pay for it. Often, | | | | Plant your front foot firmly to help maintain your |
| that means landing in a greenside bunker. Sometimes, | | | | balance. |
| that also means leaving yourself with a tricky bunker | | | | Thin Lie: |
| shot. Below are seven golf tips that can help you | | | | Try using a pitching wedge on this shot. It has less |
| master those tough bunker shots-the kind everyone | | | | bounce. Make contact with the sand just behind the |
| dreads. These specialty shots often come in handy. | | | | ball. |
| They can save you strokes and help lower your golf | | | | Long Shots |
| handicap. Practice them at range when you can. Then | | | | Players with high golf handicaps usually swing harder |
| take them to the course. You'll be glad you learned | | | | when they have longer bunker shots. That often |
| them. | | | | throws off your balance and rhythm. Instead, try the |
| Skim The Sand | | | | way it's taught by some instructors in golf lessons. |
| First, let's review the key to the basic bunker shot. | | | | Take the same swing, but use more club. You can |
| What's the most basic of all bunker principals? Skim | | | | drop down as far as an 8-iron. Just remember to open |
| your club under the ball. Sometimes, weekend golfers | | | | the clubface. Then, swing away. |
| don't fully grasp this principal. The club never touches | | | | Under The Lip |
| the ball. It passes under it. That enables the ball to fly | | | | This is a "pop up" shot, as many golf tips refer to it. |
| out of the bunker on a cushion of sand, just like they | | | | When you must get the ball over a high lip, open the |
| teach in golf instruction sessions. Remember: Hit just | | | | clubface and take a big backswing. Accelerate on the |
| behind the ball. Skim the sand under it and the ball will | | | | downswing through the ball. But pull the club back |
| pop out. | | | | before it hits the lip. The ball floats out. Phil Mickelson |
| The Buried Lie | | | | had this shot on Saturday during last week's PGA |
| This is a tough shot. It's also intimidating. Even golfers | | | | tournament at Quail Hollow. Depending on the distance, |
| with low golf handicaps hate it. All you want to do here | | | | you can use anything down to a 5-iron to play this |
| is just get it out. Close the clubface. Swing straight | | | | shot. |
| down. You almost want to hit the top of the ball. The | | | | These tips will help you conquer some of the toughest |
| impact opens the clubface. The ball hops out and rolls. | | | | bunker shots. Practice them when you can. Over time, |
| Allow for that. | | | | it will pay off. Knowing how to hit these shots will help |
| Awkward Stance | | | | you get up and down more often. They'll cut strokes |
| Balance is the key here. When you face a shot where | | | | from your golf handicap. And they'll build confidence in |
| you have one foot in the bunker and one foot out, get | | | | you bunker game. Before long, you'll no longer dread |
| as comfortable and balanced as possible. It's not | | | | bunker shots. |