Seven Tips On Mastering Those Tough Bunker Shots

Admit it: You hate bunkers. So do I. So does every golfer. Even if you've mastered the basics—open the clubface, hit behind the ball, finish the swing—you still dread the thought of landing in a bunker. But it's hard to resist firing at the flag when you have the chance. Players with low golf handicaps know how to drop it close. It's why you take golf lessons, study golf tips in magazines, and hit balls at the practice range. It's what golf is all about

Unfortunately, when you miss, you pay for it. Often, that means landing in a greenside bunker. Sometimes, that also means leaving yourself with a tricky bunker shot. Below are seven golf tips that can help you master those tough bunker shots—the kind everyone dreads. These specialty shots often come in handy. They can save you strokes and help lower your golf handicap. Practice them at range when you can. Then take them to the course. You'll be glad you learned them

Skim The Sand
First, let's review the key to the basic bunker shot. What's the most basic of all bunker principals? Skim your club under the ball. Sometimes, weekend golfers don't fully grasp this principal. The club never touches the ball. It passes under it. That enables the ball to fly out of the bunker on a cushion of sand, just like they teach in golf instruction sessions. Remember: Hit just behind the ball. Skim the sand under it and the ball will pop out.

The Buried Lie
This is a tough shot. It's also intimidating. Even golfers with low golf handicaps hate it. All you want to do here is just get it out. Close the clubface. Swing straight down. You almost want to hit the top of the ball. The impact opens the clubface. The ball hops out and rolls. Allow for that.

Awkward Stance
Balance is the key here. When you face a shot where you have one foot in the bunker and one foot out, get as comfortable and balanced as possible. It's not always easy. But do your best. Concentrate on maintaining balance while taking a normal bunker swing. If you can remain balance throughout the shot, the results will be good.

Downhill Lie
If there's no lip, you can often putt it out. If there's a lip, play the ball forward in your stance. Position it in line with your front foot. Tilt your shoulders so they're parallel to the slope. Then take a normal bunker swing. Plant your front foot firmly to help maintain your balance.

Thin Lie:
Try using a pitching wedge on this shot. It has less bounce. Make contact with the sand just behind the ball.

Long Shots
Players with high golf handicaps usually swing harder when they have longer bunker shots. That often throws off your balance and rhythm. Instead, try the way it's taught by some instructors in golf lessons. Take the same swing, but use more club. You can drop down as far as an 8-iron. Just remember to open the clubface. Then, swing away.

Under The Lip
This is a "pop up" shot, as many golf tips refer to it. When you must get the ball over a high lip, open the clubface and take a big backswing.  Accelerate on the downswing through the ball. But pull the club back before it hits the lip. The ball floats out. Phil Mickelson had this shot on Saturday during last week's PGA tournament at Quail Hollow. Depending on the distance, you can use anything down to a 5-iron to play this shot.

These tips will help you conquer some of the toughest bunker shots. Practice them when you can. Over time, it will pay off. Knowing how to hit these shots will help you get up and down more often. They'll cut strokes from your golf handicap. And they'll build confidence in you bunker game. Before long, you'll no longer dread bunker shots.