Golf World: Bunker play made easy

Most amateur golfers have trouble with the bunkers, whereas most pros have no problem with these shots. The amateur is always trying to scoop the ball up with their hands, and the result is always the same: A ball that is left in the sand or one skulled over the green.

So what can you do to be a better bunker player?

First, understand that the sand wedge was designed to make things easy out of the bunker. The sand wedge has a flange, or bottom, to it, and a leading edge. It is important to understand that you are supposed to hit the sand with the flange and not the leading edge. So here are some easy tips that will fix your bunker play for good:

-- Open the face of the sand wedge at address and then take your grip. Most amateurs do just the opposite -- they take their grip and then try to open the face. Unfortunately, this never works. This helps ensure that you will hit the sand with the bottom of the club and not the leading edge.

-- Take a wider than normal stance and dig your feet in for added stability. Most amateurs have a stance that is much too narrow.

-- Set more weight on your left leg than a normal shot. This ensures that you will have a steeper, more "V"-shaped swing and ensures that you will hit down on the ball.

-- Play the ball more forward in your stance unless you have a poor lie. If the lie is bad, then you must play it in the middle of your stance and square up the face. The forward ball position helps you to hit the sand first and allows the sand to bring the ball out.

-- Stand farther from the ball than you normally would if you were hitting a standard shot from the fairway. In addition to this, lower your hands at address. This will help you set the club earlier on the backswing and aids you in leading the club into the ball with the heel of the club, and not the toe.

-- Open up both your shoulders and your hips at address. Your body should be aimed slightly left of the pin, while your clubhead should be aimed at the pin. Now just use a vertical swing, and swing along your body lines that you established at address.

The bunker swing is a vertical, but three-quarter swing in which you are just trying to hit a spot two inches behind the ball. This allows the sand to bring the ball out. You must also remember that this is not a normal swing. You are not trying to use your hands in any way with this shot.

The best bunker players look like they are holding the clubface open or facing the sky, just after impact. It is also not just an arm swing. Remember to turn your body at the hole, and make a finish to your swing. Good bunker players try to make a thumping sound with the bottom of their club when they hit their shots from the bunker.

The swing itself is kind of an under-handed, right-sided motion. Try to stay as still as you can in the bunker, but still making a good shoulder turn on the backswing. Your distance will be determined by the speed of your swing. If you want the shot to go farther, simply swing harder. If you are in a bunker right next to the pin, just take a very short swing with very little force. Sounds way too easy, doesn't it?

I can't say that this is the easiest shot in golf, but it is one that you can get good at if your fundamentals are correct. Get over to the practice bunker and you'll soon become one of the best bunker players in your foursome.

(Dr. Jim Suttie, 2000 National PGA Teacher of the Year, operates Suttie Golf at The Club at Twin Eagles North Naples, Fla. and Cog Hill Golf Club, Lemont, Ill. Suttie is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher and rated No. 15 in Golf Digest Best 50 Teachers. Suttie coaches the Florida Gulf Coast University men's golf team. Contact him at Jmsuttie9at)aol.com

(Golf World is a feature of the Naples Daily News in Florida.)

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