Today, I wanna talk about how I practiced my bunker shots, specifically the Bryson style. It’s not as hard as it looks, but it definitely takes some getting used to.
First, I headed to the local golf course early in the morning. It was pretty quiet, which is just how I like it when I’m trying to focus on something new. I grabbed my sand wedge and a bucket of balls, then made my way to the practice bunker. I wanted to start with the right club, and I know from watching videos that a sand wedge is usually the go-to for these kinds of shots. It feels so much easier to get under the ball and pop it out with a high, soft landing when you use the right one.
I started by just getting a feel for the sand, drawing some lines to aim at. The key here, I think, is getting comfortable with the setup. I made sure to stand with my weight a bit more on my lead foot. This helps with keeping the swing consistent. I also tried weakening my lead hand grip, which means I rotated my left hand a little to the left (I’m right-handed). It felt a bit odd at first, but I figured it would give me better control.
Next, I focused on the swing itself. I took a few practice swings, trying to keep them smooth and controlled. I aimed to hit the sand a couple of inches behind the ball. It’s tempting to just whack at the ball, but you really gotta hit the sand first to get the ball up and out.
Then I began hitting some balls. The first few were a mess, honestly. Some went too far, some not far enough. But I kept at it, adjusting my stance and swing as needed. I focused on a three-quarter backswing. I also made sure to keep the club head moving through the sand at a good speed.
- Setup: Weight forward, open stance, clubface open.
- Swing: Three-quarter backswing, hit the sand behind the ball, and maintain the club head speed.
- Grip: Weakening the lead hand grip.
After a while, I started to get the hang of it. The balls were coming out higher and softer, landing closer to where I wanted them to. It’s a pretty satisfying feeling when you finally start to see some improvement. This is just a simple practice drill, but the setup and weight distribution are super important.
I probably spent a good hour in the bunker. By the end, I was feeling a lot more confident.
It’s definitely a shot that requires practice, but it’s worth the effort. Next time I’m on the course and find myself in a bunker, I’ll feel a lot better prepared. Practice makes perfect, right?
