playing-sand-shots improve you game by learning this skill

A large number of amateur golfers are helpless when theyhit one into a sand trap. This is ridiculous. With aminimum of practice--using the proper fundamentals--everygolfer can become proficient enough with sand shots toconsistently get out of the trap and on the green.

Many otherwise competent golfers become stiff with fear themoment they step into a sand trap. The reason for thefeeling of dread--which is akin to terror--is that theyhave not taken the time or effort to master thefundamentals of the sand shot.

You must become familiar with, and understand the basic

fundamentals, of the sand shot. You can learn the propertechnique by watching Richard's videos on the short game.

Sand shots--so far as escaping from the trap and getting on the green--are not difficult. The hard part of these shots is mental, not physical. You can't always get up and down in two, but you won't hack and chop until you've ruined your round either.

Four varieties of stances and lies cover most of the sand shots you'll face:

When you have a fairly level stance and a good lie An awkward stance caused by a lie on the upslope When you have a downhill lie and stance The dreaded, and most feared, buried lie

Don't despair. You'll have a level stance and reasonably good lie on the majority of your sand shots. The basic fundamentals on the level lie include an open stance with your hands slightly behind the ball; an open clubface; play the ball off your left heel; and pick out a spot just behind the ball where your clubface will enter the sand.

On the standard sand shot, your swing should be upright and outside-in so it's easier to slice your clubhead under the ball and through the sand.

The most important thing about a sand shot is to have a clear image in your mind of what the clubhead will do.

Your clubface doesn't touch the ball; it slices through the sand under the ball and literally throws the ball on the green.

Most fundamental instructions are weak in one area: They don't describe how much you should open the clubface. Simply put, the clubface should be very open on short sand shots and just slightly open for long explosions. You will have to experiment for the in-between distances to find what is right for you.

And you have to get in a sand trap and hit all four of the shots described above. Just reading a book or watching Richard's video will help, but you have to get in a sand trap and practice those fundamentals.

Experiment with various clubface alignments according todifferent distances until you're confident with this basic,but important, concept.

Don't let a buried lie strike terror into your psyche. This isn't a hard shot. Hood your clubface closed and hitbehind the ball and down and through the sand, throwingsand and ball onto the green. Swing hard and followthrough.

On most sand trap shots you'll use your sand wedge. However, on long trap shots (over 20 yards), try using yourpitching wedge, nine iron, or even an eight iron. And openthe clubface ever so slightly; you'll find the ball fliesmuch further with less effort than the sand wedge requires.

If you don't have a sand trap on your driving range, you'llhave to practice on the course. Take five or six balls andwork on the four basic lies and stances. When you catchone of those days when you have to wait on every tee andthere's no one behind you, take a few moments to practicesand shots while your buddies are wasting their timegabbing on the next tee.

Keep your head steady on all of these sand shots. Youshould actually see your clubhead enter the sand, and makesure you swing hard enough to slide your clubheadcompletely through the sand.

Another good idea is to write or type the fundamentals on anote card or two and have them laminated at a print shop. Keep them in your golf bag for handy reference while youpractice.

Like so many things in life, sand-trap shots seem hard ornext to impossible until you have the knowledge(fundamentals) and confidence (gained from practice) andknow you can hit the shot correctly every time.

Spend some time on the beach and you'll gain a lot morethan a good tan.

Improving your swing could help you playing-sand-shots!

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