No matter whether your wedge is brand new or 20 years old, you’re still facing the same dilemma in a greenside bunker. You’ve got to trust that if you make a big swing through the sand with it and purposely miss the ball, the shot is going to come out high and soft and stop quickly on the green. Bunker play is all about commitment, and I’ve got a way for you to practice it that will boost your confidence.

There’s something strange about making a big swing on a short shot with the intent of missing the ball. Seeing the ball sitting there can prompt you to do all kinds of things that make these shots a lot harder. So why not practice without a ball until a good bunker swing becomes a matter of habit? I like to grab a scorecard pencil and put it in the sand to represent the ball (below). Then I just make a full swing with the intent of taking enough sand behind the pencil to knock it out of the bunker.

https://www.golfdigest.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2023/1/JD1_6377.JPG

J.D. Cuban

Without worrying about the ball, I think you’ll find it easier to commit to the proper technique of moving the sand around it. Once you get comfortable getting the pencil out, replace it with a ball and make the same swing.

Megan Padua Buzza, Golf Digest Best Young Teacher, Buzza Golf Coaching, Frisco, Texas.

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This article was originally published on golfdigest.com