Sand Trap

[chen]

hello. i cannot work out which way to stand in the sand trap. my friends tell me i need to open my stance but my feet are wide already. i always seem to catch the top of the sand trap lip and the ball rolls back to me. please help.

[greghutton]

Re: Sand Trap

Hi chen,

I think your friends mean something different to what you think they mean. When they refer to open stance they could be referring to the alignment of your feet in relation to the target line. Open stance for a right handed player would have the feet aligned pointing left of parallel to the target line. I will see if I can find a good bunker lesson description, I know I put one up here some time ago. I will reply here...

[arny660]

Re: Sand Trap

Take a really wide stance and really, really flex your knees. Most people stand much too tall for bunker shots. Try this and I bet it will make a difference. Remember, really wide stance and really get down. Also, open up your stance.

[greghutton]

Re: Sand Trap

chen,
I have found the video and uploaded it to GTO's NEW youtube channel! enjoy. I have included the tuition walthrough of the shot in the description. enjoy.

[spin]

Re: Sand Trap

nice shot

[garcia]

Re: Sand Trap

nearly canned it!

[msklar92]

Re: Sand Trap

the problem most player have is that they do not open the face enough. you need to really open the face and then the leading edge should be facing the target. you may to regrip the club. hinge back and swing though without releasing the club. you weight should be somewhat towards the front foot.

[mferraguti]

Re: Sand Trap

Like Chen, I have issues in sand and have tried everything...open to target line, weight forward, open up clubface then grip it while keeping it square to target line (By the way, the guy in video is really choked down on the club). I have layed tees down in the bunker and can splash them out no problem. Get a ball in there and it's a different story. I feel your pain chen.

[mariner]

Re: Sand Trap

I find that video a tad misleading - the guy hardly seems to take any sand at all and it sounds as if he's actually hit the ball!

[Ringer]

Re: Sand Trap

This video might help clarify.

[mferraguti]

Re: Sand Trap

Ringer, good stuff! Thanks for all of your very helpful information.

[GolfJunkieSr]

Re: Sand Trap

All good info, but the firmness of the sand needs to also be taken into account. Best way to learn to get out of sand is to practice the basics, and then practice some more while adding in what ever little nuances might be needed.

Here's a little tidbit from one of Toski's books that helps with fairway bunkers. I borrowed this from another poster on another forum.

" Use the "3 Ls" to help determine the best way to get out of a fairway bunker . Lie, Lip, and Length. The Lie will tell you what type of shot you can, or can't hit. If the ball is buried, all you can probably get away with is just digging it out to a better shot location. If the ball is sitting up nice, and pretty, then you move on to the Lip of the bunker, and determine what club you can use for the most distance, and still clear the lip of said bunker. If you need a 5i to clear the Lip, don't use a 3i to get the length needed. If the Lie, and Lip are ok, then you can just go with the club for the Length of the shot required. When Length is my only priority, go with one more club. If the distance is my normal 5i, take a 4i out of a fairway bunker. "