My Golf Tips

The 50 yard bunker shot
 
If you are faced with what most people will agree is the hardest shot in golf, the 50 yard bunker shot, try these tips to see if it will help you.

 
When you know that the shot is that bit too long to play a regular splash shot, even with a nine or eight iron, try these simple swing keys to allow you to make a clean strike with your lob or sand wedge. Play the ball in the middle of your stance, weight even instead of on your left side as per a regular sand shot and make sure the shaft is vertical not leaning forward. Now comes the clever bit, to make sure you strike the ball cleanly take a deep breath and take a little extra air into your lungs and hold it there, also grip the club really tight in both hands and make a nice half swing back and through. The extra air in your lungs should give you the feeling of lifting your chest a little helping to strike the ball cleanly.

The unusual advice of gripping the club really firmly in your hands will tighten your forearm muscles preventing you from cocking your wrists much at all, creating a wide shallow swing arc which also should aid you in picking the ball off the surface of the sand. The ball will probably go a little further than you might expect so don't swing too hard. This tip is really useful if you have a nice clean lie in the sand, if the ball is sitting down a bit then best go to a regular splash shot, but don't be afraid to use as much as a seven iron, just open the club face about 45 degrees and splash away.

Hole those Putts

The difference between winning and losing your Monthly Medal could come down to a four or five foot putt. Follow my easy-to-remember tip when standing over these little knee tremblers and you could be collecting the silverware next time.

All you have to do is pick out a little piece of grass between the putter and the ball and don't take your eye off it until you hear the ball drop. That's the easiest way of ensuring you keep your head still - essential when putting no matter what the length and vital over those testing little ones.

You'll be amazed how many more short putts you hole when following this drill and it's another quick and easy way of reducing your handicap.