BUNKERS and their difficulty are the biggest fallacy in golf. A fallacy is a mistaken belief, especially based on an unsound argument. There’s no truth to the bunker shot being difficult, it’s all in your mind.
This week being the 90th Master’s Tournament at Augusta, I would like to provide you with a quote from three-time Master’s Champion Gary Player on bunker play. “The biggest fault in the bunker play with weekend golfers, they just quit on the ball. They don’t get the acceleration through the ball which is important. Three things are important in the bunker, stand wide, very wide, wide as you can because you don’t want to rock your knees like it’s a spaghetti swing. The next thing is you got to set your wrists early. You don’t go back in one piece like a normal swing. You set your wrists very, very quickly, and you have to un-cock your wrists through the swing…finally light the match. You have to have friction through the swing with acceleration.” So, the summary is this.
1: Acceleration 2: Wide Stance 3: Set Your Wrists as Quickly as Your Can 4: Light The Match
If you’d like to see Mr. Player in action, here is a link.
That takes care of the swing. Now emotionally, the best way to calm your nerves is to practice. You become a good cook because you cook and learn from your mistakes. If you have the knowledge that was just provided to you by Mr. Player, what is required of you for successful bunker play is to apply what you’ve just learned. If you’ve hit these shots to the point that you do not have to think about how to hit them, and you’ve found your solution. No golfer is too good for practice.
-David