Master the Bunker: 5 Sand Shot Drills to Conquer Any Lie

For many golfers, bunkers can be intimidating obstacles that lead to wasted strokes. However, with the right technique and practice, you can turn sand traps into opportunities to showcase your skills. In this article, we’ll explore five essential sand shot drills designed to help you conquer any lie in the bunker.

1. 1. The Dollar Bill Drill

Purpose: Improve your entry point and sand splash control

Setup:

• • Place a dollar bill (or a similarly sized piece of paper) in the sand.

• • Position your ball just in front of the bill’s leading edge.

Execution:

• • Focus on hitting the sand just behind the bill, not touching it.

• • Try to splash the sand and ball out together, leaving the bill undisturbed.

Pro Tip: This drill teaches you to hit the sand at the correct spot, about 2 inches behind the ball, which is crucial for effective bunker shots.

2. 2. The Line in the Sand SHOT Drill

Purpose: Master different trajectories from the bunker

Setup:

• • Draw three parallel lines in the sand, each about 6 inches apart.

• • Place balls on each line, with the first closest to the green’s edge.

Execution:

• • For the closest line, open your stance and clubface slightly for a higher shot.

• • For the middle line, use a neutral setup for a standard trajectory.

• • For the farthest line, close your stance and clubface slightly for a lower shot.

Pro Tip: Practice these variations to develop versatility in your bunker play, allowing you to adapt to different situations on the course.

3. 3. The Buried Lie Challenge

Purpose: Learn to escape from plugged or buried lies

Setup:

• • Push several balls into the sand so they’re half-buried.

• • Ensure you have a variety of lies – some more buried than others.

Execution:

• • Address the ball with a square clubface and a slightly steeper swing.

• • Focus on hitting down and through the sand, accelerating through impact.

Pro Tip: For deeply buried lies, don’t be afraid to take a more lofted club like a lob wedge to help get under the ball.

4. 4. The One-Footed Splash Drill

Purpose: Improve balance and prevent excessive lower body movement

Setup:

• • Stand on your front foot only, with your back foot raised slightly off the sand.

• • Take your normal bunker setup, choking down on the club slightly for balance.

Execution:

• • Make your bunker swing focusing on rotating around your front leg.

• • Concentrate on maintaining balance throughout the shot.

Pro Tip: This drill promotes proper weight distribution and prevents sliding or swaying during the bunker shot.

5. 5. The Soft Hands Splash  SAND SHOT Drill

Purpose: Develop feel and soft hands for better distance control

Setup:

• • Place three targets on the green at varying distances from the bunker.

• • Hold your sand wedge with a very light grip pressure.

Execution:

• • Without changing your swing length, vary the firmness of your grip through impact.

• • Aim to land the ball at each target, controlling distance with your grip pressure.

Pro Tip: A softer grip promotes a smoother release and better feel, crucial for controlling distance from the sand.

Implementing These Drills:

To get the most benefit, incorporate these drills into your practice routine regularly. Spend about 10-15 minutes on bunker practice during each session, rotating through these drills. Remember, consistency is key in developing reliable sand play skills.

Always practice these drills in a real bunker to get an authentic feel for how the sand interacts with your club. Also, be sure to rake the bunker after your practice to maintain good etiquette.

Conclusion:

Mastering bunker play can significantly lower your scores and boost your confidence on the course. These five drills cover a range of scenarios you’ll encounter in bunkers, from standard lies to challenging buried balls.

Remember, effective bunker play is about technique, not power. Focus on making clean contact with the sand, letting the club do the work of lifting the ball out. With practice, you’ll start to see bunkers as opportunities rather than obstacles. Check out the best Golf Accessories 

Keep practicing, stay patient, and soon you’ll be confidently approaching any bunker on the course. Here’s to sandy saves and lower scores!