Page 29 - Golf World (February 2020)

★ mental game ★ swing study ★ putting
L E A R N

Russell Knox

two-step sand play

use my two tips to splash it close more often

From my perspective, bunker play probably gets less attention from
amateur golfers than any other area of the game. It should therefore
come as no surprise to find that it’s very often the area they find
the most difficult. The ironic thing is that splashing competently
out of the sand is really quite simple if you know what to do.
I know that sounds a touch flippant, but the margins for error in a bunker are
actually much greater than with a regular chip or flop shot since you don’t have to
be extremely precise with your entry point into the sand. The key thing is to take
that important first step and get yourself into the practice bunker. If you can make
that commitment, I’ve no doubt that within a short space of time you’ll be hitting
greenside splash recoveries a lot more confidently.
My advice is to get comfortable with the basic technique to begin with so you can
get the ball out every time. Once you have that mastered, you can then learn to hit
a wider range of shots. Follow the above pointers and the two key tips below and
bunker play will soon be one of your strengths and not a weakness.

MaKe a big swing
If you open the face properly
and have the confidence to
accelerate into the sand a
couple of inches before the
ball, it’s actually not that hard
to get out of bunkers. Get the
ball position forward to give
yourself room to hit the sand
first and release the club.

work on slowing it down. From the
top of the backswing, I like to press
into my left foot a little bit and then I
can turn through the shot. But be
careful you don’t overdo it as I can
sometimes; I spin a bit too quickly
now and again and then I have
nothing to hit against.

People often advise a
three-quarter swing for
control. To be honest, I am
9 not a big fan of that tactic,
because I struggle (surprisingly as I
grew up playing Southport’s links)
with keeping the ball down. I can alteR the spin
keep it down, of course, but I still and Release
have to hit it hard to do so. But for I like having my feet square
amateurs it can be a great tactic in the to the target but my body a
wind. To hit those controlled shots, little open. If you want to
generally you should be gripping generate lots of backspin,
down a little, play the ball a touch take a big swing and a little
less sand. If you want the
further back in the stance and swing ball to run more, abbreviate
more smoothly. the finish, swing slower to

create less speed and take
a little more sand.

golfworldtop100.com | February 2020 Golf World 29