TrendingUseful Tips

Avoiding the Dreaded Sand Trap

When it comes to golf, the sand trap is one of the most feared features of any course. Golfers often drive miles to avoid a course simply because it has a particularly challenging set of traps. This is understandable; hitting the trap is almost always disastrous for your score. Even if you manage to get out again, you will likely end up with a much more difficult shot due to your initial error. However, avoiding the trap doesn’t have to be such an intimidating prospect. You can learn how to avoid that dreaded bunker in future games with practice and preparation. Read on for some helpful tips and tricks…

Know the Course Before You Play

If you play on a regular golf course, you will probably have a mental image of the course in your head. This image sticks around from previous rounds you have played. However, if you play a course for the first time, you will have no such advantage. How detailed you get with your survey depends on your game’s performance. If you are playing a high-stakes match, you’ll be expected to have studied the course and its features in great detail. At a lower level, though, you may be able to get by with a cursory glance at the scorecard. However, if you can learn a few key features of the course, it will give you a significant advantage. You will know where to expect the most challenging holes and be able to prepare accordingly.

Learn the Lay of the Land

As well as noting the location of specific hazards, you should also try and get a feeling for the general lay of the land. Where are the undulations, and where are there likely to be dips or hollows? Where is the ground likely to be marshy, and where is it dry? Where are the bunkers likely to be? Are they positioned on the front foot of a par three? Or on the back foot of a par five? Where are the rough areas likely to be located? The sides of greens? Or around the back of a green?

Take an Easy Swing

Common mistake players make when hitting from the bunker is trying to hit the ball too hard. If you’re lucky enough to hit a sand trap, you should first take an easy swing. This will allow you to regroup, retune your focus, and calm yourself down. You are in a tricky situation, and you want to go as hard as possible to get out of there, which is fine. However, you need to make sure that your swing is as relaxed as it possibly can be.

Use a Progression Drill to Practice Your Shots

It would be best to keep a few things in mind when practicing your bunker shots. Firstly, you should use your full set of clubs. Even if you are primarily a short-game player, there is no harm in warming up with a seven or nine iron. Secondly, try to get as much variety in your shots as possible. You should hit a shot where you hit down, another where you hit up, a high shot, and a low shot. This will help to familiarize you with a range of different types of shots. Thirdly, don’t be afraid to use a club that is too big. For instance, if you are practicing a low shot, using a six iron rather than a lob wedge is a good idea. This will help ensure your body doesn’t try and overdo it, and you improve your chances of succeeding.

Don’t be Afraid to Bail

If you are hitting the bunker and struggling to escape, don’t be afraid to bail out with a penalty. Nobody will judge you for doing so as long as you have given it a good go. While you should always try and play your way out of trouble, you are not necessarily playing for money. If you have hit a bunker, and it is taking you a long time to get out, you are costing yourself valuable shots. At the end of the day, the game is about having fun, and you should never feel pressured into staying in the bunker if it isn’t fun.

Practice, Practice, Practice

The sand trap is often the most feared feature of any golf course. However, with practice and patience, even the most novice players can learn how to avoid the trap. Avoiding the dreaded bunker would be best to keep a few things in mind. Firstly, you should use an easy swing when hitting from the sand. Secondly, you should practice your bunker shots with various types. Thirdly, don’t be afraid to use a too-big club when practicing your low shots. If you follow these tips, you should be able to avoid the dreaded sand trap in the future. In turn, this should help you to lower your scores and enjoy the game even more.

About Author

Comments (11)

  1. Writye more, thats all I hav too say. Literally, iit seems as though yoou relied oon tthe video to ake your point.
    You definitely now what youre talkiing about,
    whhy thrlw away ypur intelligence on juust polsting videros too your weblog whewn you could bee giving uss somethiung enlighteing tto read?

    Also visit mmy honepage … roloxxx.com

  2. Have youu ever hought aboujt writing aan e-book or guerst authoring onn otuer websites?

    I have a bllog basd onn thee saame iideas you discuss annd woiuld love too have you share some stories/information. I know myy readders would value your work.

    If you’re even remotrly interested, feerl free tto sednd mme an e-mail.

  3. Havee yoou ver thught about creating aan e-book
    orr guest auythoring on otheer blogs? I haave a bloog baxed oon the saqme
    subjexts yoou discuss and wohld really like too havee
    yyou sharte som stories/information. I know my readers would appreciare our work.
    If you’re ecen remotely interested, fel frre to send mee an e mail.

    Feeel frese too visitt mmy web site crime mob playa kay the porno star

  4. Attyractive section off content. I ust stumbled upon your web site annd in accessikon capital tto assert
    thst I get acually enjoye aaccount youhr blog posts.
    Any wayy I wipl bee sujbscribing tto your augmwnt and egen I achievement yyou access consistently quickly.

    Alsoo visit my webb siite mother fucked videos free download

  5. I’m gone tto telll my little brother, that hhe shoulkd apso viisit this web ste oon rwgular basis to takle updated from newwest news.

    My web blpg – die frau meines bruders vereinbarte fr anal sex

  6. Fabulous, whuat a wevpage it is! Thhis website presentgs usewful data too us, kep itt up.

  7. I amm genuinepy thankful too tthe oner off thyis wedbsite whho hass sharsd ths great
    paragrzph at aat thos place.

    Chefk ouut my webpage; my grandpa dick so big

  8. Very impressed with the security measures on this site. I feel safe depositing my funds and the withdrawals are surprisingly fast. idsurga898

  9. The jackpots here are insane! I had a lucky streak last night and the withdrawal process was super quick. Big thanks to scb99slot for the great experience.

  10. Finally a site that doesnt lag during peak hours. The login process is seamless and the graphics are top notch. Love using jaguar77login every day.

Comment here