Bloody Sand Bunkers

I can't believe how many times over the years I have heard the cry "bloody sand bunkers" from a golfing partner after a poor bunker shot. Sand play is elementary physics. I was never a science whiz at school, but I learned enough to know that if you push the sand beneath the ball in the correct manner it will transfer your energy and lift the ball in the way you want it to fly.

Let me give you an example: think about splashing around in a pool. When you want to splash someone way on the other side of the pool, you whisk your palm across the top of the water with a flat skimming motion, creating a long, low splash.

When you want to splash some close to you, you slap down on a sharp angle onto the water for a high cresting splash. Picture your golf ball riding the tops of those splashes and you will have a good idea of the basic forces at work in bunker play.

Instead of water, your ball rides out on the sand and instead of using your hand you have used the golf club.

Be good and safe into Christmas and the New Year,
See you at the 19th hole.

By Bruce Smith - BruceSmithGolf.com

Photo by Simonecwb

Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

Golfers who stand up the best to the pressures of the game face the same fears and doubts as you and me. The difference is the Pros have learnt and practised the mechanisms to best deal with these pressures.

Dr Brian Hemmings (leading sports psychologist and big help to yours truly) says, there is a phrase in psychology called the “IRONIC” process. This means we think about the things we fear most at the times when we least want to think about them.

It is important to realize this process is a natural one. Golfers who have thoughts and feelings of doubt think this represents a frailty in themselves in pressure moments. This is NOT the case. Accepting this is the first step in starting to feel COMFORTABLE when you’re UNCOMFORTABLE.

Players who deal well with PRESSURE experience the same doubts as those who do not. The difference is the ones who deal well with pressure shift their focus to what the next shot demands.

To cope with the fear, “STAY” with the shot at hand and not focus on the consequences of what may go wrong.

REMEMBER it’s all about getting “COMFORTABLE being UNCOMFORTABLE”.

See you at the 19^th Hole.

By Bruce Smith - Brucesmithgolf.com