Beached Continued

Let me ask you a question. What do you see more of on he beach: Bears or delicious hogies? The answer is simple, hogies (especially if we are talking Jersey Shore baby). So, let the Hogie teach you about the beach. Now, I do believe Mr. Bear gave a great outline of the Bunker shot, if you were already good at them. But, there are those (I was one of them at one time) who go to the beach and literally are so scared they are wishing for anyone to help them. Have no fear, for I am here to help (like a golf superman).

The first thing you need to do is well, pick a club. Many people automatically go with their highest lofted club (like a 60 or 54 degree), but wait. A bunker shot is like any other shot. You want to pick a club that is good for that distance. So, if you are close to the flag go with your highest lofted club. but, if you are in the front bunker and the pin is in the back, then maybe a PW or something lower would work. You don't want to pick a club that makes you nervous for the distance. You want to be as relaxed as possible.

So, the next thing, is getting you feet even with the ball. You see the pros swishing their feet side to side to get lower, uh, you should do it too. If not for the reason of it making you look profession, which is half the point. This allows you to swing on the same plane you always do. So, if the ball is way below your feet, keep digging!

Alright, so now is the big time. At this point most people ask themselves if they are going to skull it over the green 50 yards away or hit it fat and have the same shot again. But, what I think about is: if this were a chip shot what would I do? A little different than most, I have always been, but you should try it too. Imagine it as a chip (sandless) and practice that swing over the ball without hitting it (can't hit the sand or the ball, unless you want a penalty stroke). Where it should land, the height ect. This will ease your mind and make you focus on the shot. So, from that visualization, you want to make that swing at the ball.

Now it comes time for the swing. You have your "chip" specs decided. Once you can visualize the shot you are ready. The visualization will help you hit the ball, you will be amazed, it is true. Now, the ball should be in the front of your stance, but by gosh you aren't hitting that ball! Pick a spot 3 inches behind the ball which should be the middle of your stance. That becomes the ball, where you will swing. So, take that swing that will give you the chip result (the one you did over the ball).

Now, the club will hit the sand first (it better or that ball will be flying out at a speed dangerous to anyone around). The biggest mistake people do at this point is finish high. DON'T DO THAT! That is the mot common reason people skull it. You need to finish low and finish all the way. Stopping your swing at the sand will cause you to hit it fat. So, focus on hitting your sand spot, then focus on powering through the sand. Swing through the sand and hard until your swing runs out of steam. Let it happen naturally.

Obviously practice makes perfect, but hopefully these ideas will help you while you are sweating out on the beach hoping for a good outcome. But just remember, if you ever see a bear on the beach, run. Bears are not good playmates.

~ Hogie