Sand Storm

I am sure that during your golfing life you will have played with someone who during the round has seen more sand than Laurence of Arabia.

This article is targeted at not only golfers who have difficulty with sand shots from bunkers but also those that wish to improve on their current standards.

Many competitive golfers can become almost obsessed with their golfing statistics and while this is good to identify your areas of strength and weakness on the golf course they only tell you what you have DONE.

When you practise you must start to record statistics of what you are CAPABLE of doing.

Dr Karl Morris from the PGA tour advocates a bunker game called ‘Sand Storm’ to assist this process.

In effect you find a practise bunker and create a small nine hole bunker course for yourself as follows:

1st short bunker shot (up to 10 yards)

2nd medium bunker short (10-20 yards)

3rd long bunker shot (20-30 yards)

4th downhill lie

5th uphill lie

6th ball above feet

7th ball below feet

8th ball plugged

9th hard base or thin sand

Play the course once a week and record a score for nine holes and keep trying to beat your personal best.

From a mental perspective the idea is that statistically you will provide evidence to yourself that you are improving and this will provide you with confidence.

This is a win-win situation for you are as golfer because if your average score improves your self belief and confidence will soar and if it does not then you have confirmed that it is time for swing tuition to work on specific aspects of your bunker technique.