Your Action Plan

What: Your goal is to establish the correct feel for the bunker shot before stepping into the sand, ensuring you make solid contact and take the necessary sand.

Why: Because you need to hit the sand behind the ball—not the ball itself—your swing thought must change from hitting turf (or air) to hitting the ground. Practicing this feel outside the bunker prevents you from thinning the ball over the green.

How:

Repeat the Motion: Once you step into the bunker, simply repeat the motion and feel you just grooved outside the sand.

Choose Your Wedge: Select your preferred greenside wedge.

Practice Outside the Bunker: Before stepping into the hazard, take a practice swing on the grass next to the bunker.

Ensure Ground Contact: The key is to make sure your club hits the ground during this practice swing. This trains your body to deliver the clubhead low enough to take sand.