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ALL SPORTS ARE GAMES! ALL GAMES ARE NOT SPORTS!
From backgammon to the 3,000 year old Royal Game of Ur., from Oriental kite contests to the universal tit-tat-toe and baseball, games have been, and are played throughout every culture and society known to man.
Where is the line drawn...
Golf Exercises Don't Have To Be Grueling
Golf exercises are viewed by the majority of golfers as "work". That is why it is so difficult to convince golfers that golf exercises can be fun and don't have to wipe you out physically.
I've worked with many golfers in person and with my online...
Lower Back Extension Exercise
This is an excellent exercise for the lower back that is very simple to perform. This exercise requires no equipment and it can be performed almost anywhere, even at your office. Many people neglect to do exercises that focus on your lower back....
New Rules for Forming an Online USGA Golf Club
Commencing January 1, 2006, the USGA published new guidelines in the USGA Handicap Manual on forming a “golf club” and attaining a sanctioned USGA golf handicap. Forming such a golf club is relatively easy and free. It is important for golfers...
Speed Kills Your Golf Swing
Would you say you have a fast looking swing or a slow swing? (If
you don't have a fast swing show this article to a playing
partner who does). You would think that a recreational golfer's
fast swing would hit a golf ball a long way wouldn't you?...
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How Good Are You In The Sand?
Think about it, if you could convert 5 out of 10 attempts from a
normal lie in the trap, how many strokes could YOU save per
round?
If you're like most people, you could save yourself at least 3-4
strokes per 18 holes.
I consider myself a decent player and having said that, I played
recently at Pilot Knob Park in the foothills of the North
Carolina Mountains. I found myself in green side bunkers 4 times
during my round. Let's just say my iron play was a bit less than
stellar. I got the ball up and in 4 times out of 4 and I'm going
to explain to you right now exactly how I did it and how you can
do it too.
It is my belief that every golfer, regardless of skill level,
physical condition, gender, or age, is capable of playing good
bunker shots and converting the up and in at least 50% of the
time. The following tips will set you on a solid foundation that
you can practice and achieve these results.
1. Practice your putting. I know this is a sand play article but
if you practice holing putts 10 feet and shorter for 30 minutes
a week, sand saves as well as all other shots become a little
less daunting. If you feel good about holing a 10 footer, it
takes a lot heat off the rest of your game so just humor me and
work on your putting 30 minutes weekly. My saving putts at Pilot
Knob Park were 3 feet to 8 feet and I made all four.
2. Use a neutral grip. You don't want to use a strong grip for
bunker shots because it's absolutely essential that the club
face slides under the ball and into your finish without the club
face closing. A neutral grip is one that has the back of the
left hand facing parallel to the target line and the right palm
facing the same direction. Slap your hands together in front of
you and you'll instantly see what I mean.
3. Aim the club face down the target line which should be just
left of the hole. You've heard all the hype about opening the
club face and
such and that's fine if you hit a lot of bunker
shots but most folks don't so aim the club face down the target
line which should be just left of the hole. The target should be
just left of the hole because the method I use will impart some
left to right spin which will move the ball from left to right
once it gets on the ground.
4. Aim your feet on a 20-30 degree angle to the left of the
target line. The greater the angle you create between your feet
and the target line, the higher and softer the ball will come
out of the trap. Practice these shots a bit with varying angles
and you'll see what I mean. Find the angle where you're most
comfortable and which produces the best results and stick with
it whatever it might be.
5. Anchor your feet in the sand to enhance your balance and
stability.
6. Swing the club out to in across the target line parallel to
the line that your feet are on and keep the face of the club
square to the target line. The club should enter the sand 1 - 2
inches behind the golf ball and "slice under it' into a nice
full finish. This will produce a shot that comes out of the
bunker and lands softly on the green. Your arms and forearms
should remain relaxed throughout the swing. This will produce
wrist action and speed through the ball which will produce a
shot that spins and stops quickly under normal circumstances.
7. PRACTICE It's very important for the average player to take
as many variables out of play as possible. Thus the need for a
neutral grip, and constant set up position. Practice and play
with these points in mind and I guarantee you that your bunker
play will improve
Enjoy Your Golf!
About the author:
Ben Throckmorton is a former Class A PGA Pro and the author of
"A Better Way To Play", a new interactive golf instruction
program.
Learn more about Ben and his new golf instruction program at:
http://www.EasyGolfInstruction.com
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