In contrast to what you may think, the easiest stroke in golf is not your fourth putt, but the sand trap shot close to the green.

Before checking out whether this is true for you, you have to arm yourself with good sand wedges that have different loft and bounce angles. Ideally, you’re looking for loft angles having four to five degrees of differences between your wedges and bounce having two to four degrees of difference. For example, a SW of 56/12 and a LW of 60/8.

The objective of a bunker shot close to the green is not to hit the ball, but rather to skid the club across the sand beneath it. Because the sand provides greater resistance than a simple ball, take a position in which your feet are farther apart, which promotes a flat, long and wide swing rather than an abrupt or V-shaped one.

Tilt your pelvis a few degrees to the left so your support is mostly from your leading hip, then swing and keep your weight there. Finally, lead the swing from the triangle made from your arms and shoulders. That’s it. In order for your triangle to remain intact, take a guide which creates an extension of the club and which will never be in contact with your body.

This technique allows the club head to slide on the sand rather than digging in. When you’re practising, swing without a ball and observe the length, direction and depth of your “explosions” in the sand. Then make a circle around your ball representing your usual marks and place your ball in the centre of the circle. Take a swing and get rid of the circle. Done!

The bunker stroke is the easiest of all, because it’s one of the strokes where lower expectations, fewer movements and less effort get better results.

Happy golfing!

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