SET-UP FOR BUNKER SUCCESS
The most important thing when playing any bunker shot – regardless of whether you’re greenside or not – is to maintain speed through the ball. Because you are hitting the sand first, the sand actually absorbs a load of the clubhead speed so you need to be a lot more aggressive with the shot than you might think. That’s why it’s so important to minimise any wrist hinge in the back swing, so you can promote a shallower angle of attack. This will make it a lot easier to maintain speed through the ball and complete a full follow-through. Three key checkpoints Set-up with the ball just inside the left heel, with the shaft in line and the weight favouring the front foot (70/ 30). If you draw a line in the middle of your stance, this is where the club should enter the sand at impact. When taking your stance, shuffle your feet into the sand and test its condition. If it feels compacted and hard, keep the clubface square, not open, to make it easier for the leading edge to cut through the sand. Accelerate through the ball and don’t quit. Try to match the length of the backswing with the follow-through.