Bunker shots are enjoyed by some players and feared by others. Players on the PGA Tour would almost prefer to be in the bunker around the green than chip over one,  where your weekend golfer avoids them like the plague. Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros, Vijay Singh and Ernie Els saved so many shots due to their skill in playing shots out of bunkers that they went on to win tournaments when their ball striking was not at its best.
What is different about playing a greenside bunker shot? Well, essentially you do not want to hit the ball first, you want to hit about an inch behind the ball and try slide the club face under the ball, cushioning the ball with sand allowing the ball to land softly on the green.


STEP1:
 
Set up with a little more weight on the left leg, ball positioned a touch left of the centre of the stance. This allows you to have a steeper angle of attack and makes it easier to hit a spot behind the ball.


STEP 2:

Set up with the clubface square to the target line but the feet, knees, hips and shoulders aimed left of target. Do not look at the ball but at a spot about an inch behind the ball when playing a bunker shot, remember - you hit what you look at. Flex the knees a little more than normal to help slide the clubface under the ball.


STEP 3:

With the clubface pointing at the target you can swing the club along the body line which will allow the clubhead to swing across the target line which will allow you to slide the clubface under the ball. The ball will pop up quite high and on line with the target.


STEP 4:
 
A bunker shot requires an aggressive swing - creating speed in the clubhead from the top of the backswing will help the clubhead move through the sand and produce the required follow through. Never slow the clubhead down when playing a bunker shot, ideally the clubhead speed should be maintained throughout the shot.

Golf Tips courtesy of Kenako Golf Academy.