The pros make bunkers look so easy, don’t they?
When they hit the ball in the sand, our first thought is, ‘How are they going to get it up and down from there?’ When we’re in the sand, it’s ‘Can I get it out of the sand and anywhere on the green?’
Yes, these are the best players on the planet, so of course, they’re going to be well-versed in navigating tricky bunker shots. But there’s no reason why amateurs can’t learn to practice like the pros.
And Ernie Els former coach, David Armitage, shared a drill that he used with the four-time major winner that anyone can replicate.
The Ernie Els drill which will help amateur golfers play bunker shots
Armitage is one of the finest golf coaches in the world and has worked with some of the very best golfers. So when he says this drill will help you get out of bunkers more consistently, you better believe him.
Speaking to GOLF.com, he said, “Here’s a tip I used with Ernie Els every time we practised together. It was basically in the bunkers; we just drew these lines about a foot apart.
“Remember, set up nice and wide, weight always on that front foot, and all we try and do is strike between those lines.
“Every amateur can do that at their course when they’re playing on their own if they don’t have a practice bunker. Just draw those lines and just try and strike right in the middle of them, and practice hitting the sand at the right place.
“If you can do this, those balls are going to pop out the bunker, and your life is going to get a lot easier around the greens.”
So draw two lines like train tracks in the sand, and try and strike between them. This will help every facet of your game by improving your contact point to avoid thins and chunks.
The secret to Ernie Els’ bunker ability
Els was an exceptional bunker player in his day, ranking consistently high in sand save statistics during his career. For the “Big Easy”, the bunker is simply an extension of his short game. He was never rushed and maintained a perfect tempo.
The hallmark of Els’ bunker play was his tempo. Many attack the sand with aggression, but that simply wasn’t his playing style. Instead, he maintained his lazy-looking swing and ensured he had perfect contact with the ball.
He had a particularly wide stance, with the ball forward to allow a shallow swing, and he hit the ball with an open clubface, producing a high-spinning trajectory that landed softly on the green.
Practicing Els’ drill can allow you to maintain the perfect contact point with the ball, so you won’t have to swing hard either.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
