Greenside bunkers scare the bejeezes out of many amateur golfers. But many pros will actually aim for the side of greens nearest bunkers under certain circumstances. In other words, lots of pros consider ending up in a bunker a relatively preferable outcome vs. other possible hazards around the greens. So why the dichotomy between amateurs and pro golfers?

Consider why so many pros don’t mind being in bunkers around greens. The bottom line is that most bunkers are easy to get out of with good control of the ball. Because a properly executed bunker shot around a green will plop the ball softly on the green and roll it slowly to the hole, playing this shot offers a big advantage over shots out of thick greenside rough. Thick rough equals poor ball control for most players, even the best in the world. Sand is much easier to deal with in the majority of cases.

As amateurs, many of us fear greenside bunkers simply because we do not practice getting out of them nearly enough. And who can blame us, really? How many golf courses do you know of that offer bunkers as part of their practice facilties. Darn few! So, most of us end up getting our only practice during rounds on the course, and that’s not really practice at all. Pros, on the other hand, have the privilege of having access to areas where they can practice every conceivable scenario they’ll face on the course.

So, the answer is to practice on the course. Now, many courses frown on such a thing, but if you do it properly you should have no problems. If there isn’t a group behind you, stop and hit a few shots out of different greenside bunkers every chance you get, especially if you’re playing alone or with a close buddy who also wants to practice bunker shots. Just be sure to rake the sand to keep the bunker in great condition for the next group.

Fortunately, executing the basic greenside bunker shot is very easy, once you’ve practiced it enough. First, get a firm stance by digging in a bit with your shoes. Don’t just stand on the loose sand on top. You’ll lose your balance when you swing. Next, open your stance so your chest and knees are facing your target a bit more than they would be under normal circumstances. Then, open the sand wedge’s face to gain maximum loft. This helps the club cut through and slightly under the ball as you swing through. That’s the key. You want to contact the sand an inch or two behind the ball, then slide the club under the ball and through the sand. This will splash out the ball along with the sand it sits upon. That’s all there is to it. Just practice it and in no time you’ll laugh a hearty laugh, slap your playing partner on the back, and swagger over to play that bunker shot with confidence.