Tips to improve your Bunker play

Michael Perry PGA professional shares some tips on how to escape those bunkers:

In this section I will be sharing some advice on some of the more common area's of golf and how to cope with them.
To start with is the medium length bunker shot that ranges from 10 yards to 35 yards (as in the example in the photo's). An obvious point is when you approach this shot, bear in mind not to ground the club on the sand. The best way to avoid this is to place the hands on the club before you enter the bunker.

Next, allow the body to aim left of target, remembering the clubface should have been set slight open or aiming right as you hold the club. As you get your feet settle, allow the ball to be forward in the stance or towards the left foot, normally a couple of inches.

The swing as you can see in the photo's should be quite long, with an accelerating club through the sand to explode the ball out of the bunker. If you look closely, you see the sand under the ball as it comes out of the bunker. This is why the pro's look like they hit the ball so hard. A full follow through will then ensure the club doesn't stop in the sand, which is where most disasters are caused.

Always make sure the sand is hit 1.5 to 2 inches behind the ball, or the ball will rocket over the green and into no man's land.

If you require further help on this shot, why not see for a lesson.