Enjoying a day in the beach
hitting a shot into the sand is one of the fastest ways to get a golfer to drop his or her head in disgust.
Ron Philo Jr., PGa Director of Golf at Stowe Mountain Lodge, and one of the region’s top teachers, offers some tips on how to get out of the trap.
“The biggest thing about bunker play is (to) throw the sand onto the green,” said Philo. “You’ve got to make believe your ball is just another grain of sand. If you can get the sand onto the green, you can get your ball onto the green.
“You’re making sure your swing is accelerating enough to carry the sand that your ball is sitting in onto the green.”
In terms of stance, it is a bit wider than it would be if on grass. he explains that you should work your feet deep into the sand to give yourself a better base, noting that when Tour players enter a bunker they leave no doubt that someone has been in there.
“By putting yourself in the sand, you lower yourself a couple of inches below the level of the ball and now your club is going to bottom out in the sand,” Philo said. “Get the feet anchored by firmly taking your stance, weight anchored a little more forward so that it can stay still. and you always want it on the forward leg rather than the back leg. Then make a swing that’s firm enough and full enough to throw the sand onto the green.”
The swing should make impact with the sand about one ball length behind the ball.
In addition to his teaching background, Philo won the 2006 PGa Professional Championship, played in five PGa Championships, the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, and made his U.S. Senior Open debut last weekend at Salem Country Club.
he spent last Independence Day playing three rounds at both Stowe Country Club and Stowe Mountain Club in support of Folds of honor, which provides scholarships to spouses and children of fallen and injury service members. Walking all 108 holes, Philo shot 8-over par.