It happens to the best of golf players; that well played shot started out great but somehow ended up in the dreaded bunker.  Perhaps you’ve had golf lessons, but just can’t seem to get it right.  Well, the staff at the Royal Kunia Country Club in Waipahu, HI, understands this dilemma and wants to offer you a few suggestions on how to up your golf game and master this difficult shot.

How to Master the Sand Shot

Dig Deep

You may have incorrectly learned some things about sand in your golf lessons that are making it difficult to get that shot off correctly.  You’ll need to hit the sand, and often a fair amount of it, to get the ball out of the bunker. But, taking on the right amount affects being able to accomplish this.

Ideally, you want to dig into the sand about an inch or so. The exact amount will depend on the type of sand at your course, the club you use, and your swing, but the idea is the same.  You want to dig deep enough to drive the right amount of sand forward to push the ball out of the bunker.

Go Big

As mentioned earlier, you must take on the sand to successfully get out of this difficult spot on the course. To accomplish this, you need to take a bigger swing.  One that is much larger than a normal shot.  Doing so gives your swing the energy required to account for the sand you’ll need to help drive the ball onto the green.

Pick a Direction

Because your club isn’t making much contact with the ball, it may seem difficult to know exactly how to get the ball where you want it to go.  The best thing to do in this scenario is to know your destination and make sure to aim and swing in that direction.  It sounds simple enough, but it will take some practice, and perhaps even a few extra golf lessons, to build up your confidence enough to trust that the ball will go where you want it to go.

No matter your experience or skill level, you’ll have a great time at Royal Kunia Country Club.  This public golf course offers everything you need to enjoy your day of golf.  An onsite golf shop, fine dining, and scenic views of the Ko'olau and Waianae mountain ranges make for an unforgettable golfing retreat. Call (808) 688-9222 to book a tee time. You can also visit them online for more details about their amenities.