3 keys

The basic splash out

In greenside bunkers, keep your lower body stable

Annika

By Annika Sorenstam
Photos By J.D. Cuban August 2008

1. In greenside bunkers, you want to keep your lower body stable as you make a full turn back and through. So take a wide stance, and sit down a little more at address. This will lock your lower body in place.

2. Another must is an open clubface at impact. To make sure you achieve this, open the face before you take your grip. If you grip the club then spin the face open, you're not really opening the face. Instead, rotate it open, and then set your hands on the club (top, right). Also, play the ball just forward of center, so you hit an inch or two behind it.

3. Make a three-quarter backswing, and hit down and through the sand. Swing all the way through so your chest faces the hole at the finish. (on right) This will guarantee that you accelerate the club through the sand -- my biggest bunker key.

VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: Watch Annika demonstrate her bunker technique, as she points out common pitfalls.

Annika Sorenstam writes instruction articles only for Golf Digest Publications and runs the Annika Academy at Ginn Reunion Resort near Orlando. Click here for more tips from Annika.

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November 22, 2009

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