Dial in distances from greenside bunkers with this clever trick

Developing distance control from greenside bunkers might seem tricky, but with this simple tip from Devan Bonebrake, a GOLF Top 100 Teacher to Watch, you can hone in your yardages and make more up-and-downs from sandy lies.

As Bonebrake explains in the video below, if you want better distance control from the bunker, all you have to do is adjust your tempo, not the length of your swing. 

“One of the biggest mistakes I see in the bunker when players try to change distances, is that they get a very short backswing,” Bonebrake says. 

While it sounds good in theory, a shorter backswing often causes players to rush their downswing and leave their shot short, or even in the bunker. 

Instruction

Instead, keep your bunker swing the same length and adjust your speed to coincide with the distance you want the ball to go.  Need to take some distance off? Swing slower. Want to land the ball further? Add some speed.

“We don’t have to change a whole lot,” Bonebrake says, “And having a longer swing, having a swing with more length, is also going to help it [the ball] get up in the air more.” 

Now you’ll be able to swing with confidence from the sand, and with some practice, land your bunker shots close enough to make the putt for par.

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