A smooth golf game can take a decidedly unpleasant turn if your ball lands in a sand bunker. There are no easy ways out of this obstacle, and you’ll need to rely on your skill and knowledge of the sport to find your way back to greener ground. If you’ve been stuck in a bunker before, use this guide to make a clean recovery.

How to Recover Your Golf Ball From a Sand Bunker

1. Position Yourself Properly

Your shot may backfire if your body and club lean too far forward during the swing. If this happens, the club will naturally aim in a downward trajectory and slightly graze the ground. The club will dig into the sand instead of hitting the ball off of it. Pay attention to your hands as you strike the ball. The ideal stroke is one where your hands and the wedge are in perfect alignment as you swing.

2. Disturb the Sand

While you don’t want to burrow your club in the sand, you also don’t want to avoid it entirely. Otherwise, you risk hitting with less force and little success. Instead, aim to hit the sand directly behind the ball. Your goal is to pull through the sand, so the club makes contact with a portion of the ball’s underside. You want to reach this area so that you can gently nudge the ball forward and upward out of the bunker.

3. Transfer Your Weight

Your body’s position is the key to hitting a successful rescue. Lean far behind on your back foot, almost in an exaggerated manner, then propel forward as you swing the club and bring all of your weight to the front foot. Doing this will allow you to make precise contact with the ball, slide it out, and finish with a deep follow through.

If you’re ready to try your skills at exiting a bunker, head to Waikoloa Village Golf Club on the Big Island in Hawaii. This stunning course is designed by the famed architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. and features several hills, waterways, and bunkers that make the game fun and beautiful. To get more information about their tee times, visit the website or call (808) 883-9621.