The Problem: Sand shots left in the bunker or sculled into the lip or over the green.
One of the keys to consistent sand shots is hitting the sand two to three inches behind the ball. A common occurrence is when the golfer makes contact too far behind and leaves the ball in the bunker.
Similarly, contact can be made too far behind the ball, but resulting in ‘sculling’ the shot into the lip or over the green. This happens because the club enters the sand with a shallow angle of attack, which causes the club to “bounce off the sand” and as it is exiting, skulls the ball.
The Solution: Turn dust pan upside down and place “noodle” under handle. Place golf ball inches ahead of dust pan’s leading edge. Indicate 12 inches with tape measure.
With the dust pan in place and set at a steep angle, your goal is to avoid the dust pan in the backswing and downswing.
Two ways to get this done:
1) Lean left at address and maintain the lean throughout your stroke.
2) Use your wrists early in the backswing to create a steep angle.
The key is to “zero in” on the 2 to 3-inch mark.
Finally: Clean up your messy sand divot with the dustpan!
The Result: Consistently get out of the sand trap and eventually put the ball close to the hole.
(Ref: www.golftipsmag.com winter 2016 ‘clean up’ your sand shots! by Chris Johnston, PGA Professional)