Part IV: Bunkers And Trouble Play
Lesson #57: Four 'Musts' In Bunkers

Good bunker technique boils down to four keys:

1. Get good footing: By grinding your feet firmly into the sand you'll get a solid, secure base for optimum balance.

2. Grip down a few centimetres on the club: Do this to compensate for the fact that you've ground your feet into the bunker, thus bringing your hands closer to the ball. If you don't shorten your grip, you'll tend to dig the club in too deeply.

3. Open your stance: Set up with your feet, knees, hips, and shoulders pointing well left of your target. This will facilitate the steeply upward takeaway and downward impact that are vital for 99 per cent of greenside bunker shots.

4. Don't keep your eye on the ball: Instead, focus on a point about two centimetres or so behind the ball. That is where you want to make impact.

Illustration by Jim McQueen

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