| Many amateur golfers find getting out of a bunker to | | | | frustration. |
| be the hardest thing to do. Actually, it's pretty easy. | | | | Now you're ready. Step into the bunker and address |
| Getting your ball out is another matter, but with a little | | | | the ball. Your clubface must be open. Wide open. I |
| knowledge and a little practice, even that's not hard. | | | | once saw Kari Webb hit some practice shots and if |
| The first thing to do is to step into the bunker and | | | | she had been standing at home plate facing second, |
| stand up next to the ball to see what kind of shot you | | | | the edge of her clubface would have been aimed at |
| have. Let's say the sand is firm but not hard-packed, | | | | first. I mean wide open. |
| the ball is sitting up, and the lie is level. So far, so good. | | | | You know the swing you'd use to hit a 6-iron in the |
| Your overall goal is to get the ball out and onto the | | | | fairway? Use that same swing here; just make it a little |
| green. Leave six inches from the pin for the pros. We | | | | shorter and a little slower. How slow? Try swinging |
| amateurs, who can't spend an hour a day in the | | | | sometime with both a 6-iron and a 7-iron in your hands. |
| bunker, have to reign in our expectations. | | | | That slow. |
| Now step out of the bunker (the part you know how | | | | Your body is swung way around to the left and you |
| to do) and get out your sand wedge. Don't walk back | | | | swing along that line. I know, it looks like you're going to |
| into the bunker just yet. We want to take a few | | | | hit the ball right at your buddy who thinks he is standing |
| practice swings. | | | | out of the way, but trust me. The open clubface will |
| The grass around a bunker is generally fairly thick. | | | | make the ball go where you want it to. |
| That's because the groundskeeper won't run the | | | | Just like you swing the club through the grass, swing |
| mower next to one. There's a chance of damaging | | | | the club through the sand. In fact, pretend you are still |
| the edge and of throwing grass clippings into it. | | | | swinging through the grass. That thought will take all |
| So let's take a few practice swings, running the club | | | | the tension out of your body and you'll get a slow, |
| through the thick grass. You're getting used to the feel | | | | smooth swing that will pop the ball out and onto the |
| of the club being resisted during impact and not being | | | | green. |
| bothered by it. You're already bothered by your ball | | | | I'll bet dollars to doughnuts you'll hear someone say, |
| being in the bunker, so there's no use in adding to your | | | | "Wow. Nice shot! |