Tuesday 6th April 2010
Sand Shots
Ball Position:
The ball position in a snad shot is very important because you must hit as much as two inches behind the ball to get it out of the sand.
This is done by playing the ball off of your left heel. This is the same place you would tee the ball up for your drive. This position gives you the forward placement of the ball and is a place you are familiar with, so you are not trying to guess about the two inches.
Now, you have the ball position straight. You must align your target to the left of the flag when around the green. You may ask why, but trust me on this one. As you lay your sand wedge to get the ball up and out of the sand, this will cause the ball to be directed to the right of any target you choose.
Length of Swing: The length of your swing should depend on the carry distance needed for the sand shot. This means that if you need the ball to carry a short distance, then your backstroke should not be too long. But always remember to finish all the way through your swing. This is a common mistake by some golfers, plus it is one that is easily made when you are tired.
Buried Sand Shots: You have seen or have had to play a shot out of a sand bunker that some call a buried lie or a fried egg. Well, if you don’t have any experience in playing this kind of snad shot, you may try play it like all the other sand shots you have played before.
Don’t do that because this is not one of those types of shots. First you can’t see the back of the golf ball cleanly; there is sand up around the golf ball.
To get the ball out of a situation like this you don’t open the club face. You square it up and dig after the ball. It is very important that you keep your swing moving through the sand.
Here’s an important tip. The length of your follow-through will determine how far out of the sand your ball will travel. Finish your swing high for long sand shots. Try this and see if it won’t help.
