Having trouble staying out of the beach on the golf course? As a collegiate golfer and coach, I know the terror and frustration of the sand traps. But with focused practice, you CAN improve your skills with the sand wedge and improve your game. Consider the 6 tips that I’ve developed for mastering the sand trap.
1 – Open Your Stance --- Open your stance by pulling your front foot back a little so you are aimed left of your target. Also, sit down in your stance (like you are sitting on a horse) so that you can get your club face under the ball better.
2 –Position the Ball --- The ball should be in the front of your stance off of your front foot aligned with your big toe or on the inside of your foot.
3 – Open the Face --- Open your club face so that the club face is looking up and not at the green so you are able to get the height you need to get over the lip of the trap and to land softly on the green.
4 – Sand First! --- Make sure to hit the sand first. You want to hit into the sand approximately 3 inches behind the ball.
5 – The Swing --- During the back swing, be sure to take the club slightly outside and come down steeply during the downward swing. Do not decelerate upon contact with the ball; you need to complete the swing to the end of the follow-thru.
6 – No Touch --- Don’t forget that practice swings are not allowed in the sand trap; a practice swing touching the club to the sand will cost you a penalty stroke!
Success in the sand trap can only be achieved through solid skill development. Get out there and practice!!!
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