How to Get Out of a Sand Trap

Landing in a sand trap can be the ultimate golf disappointment. You hit a ball almost perfectly and you think it is going to land on the green, but instead it tails slightly and lands in the sand. From this position you have little chance of getting the ball in the hole in one stroke. However, you must at least get the ball on the green in one stroke

Instructions

1. Take an open stance. To do this, move your front foot back so your body turns to face the green. This stance may feel awkward, but it's not supposed to be comfortable. You gave up comfort when you landed in the sand.

2. Position yourself behind the ball. Your front foot should be even with the ball with the rest of your body behind the ball. Unlike in other golf shots, you should not be square to the ball when you're in the sand trap.

3. Turn the sand wedge so the face is positioned almost straight up. The sand wedge should be almost parallel to the ground and to the sky.

4. Make your shot at about 80 percent speed. You should use this rule regardless of how far you want to hit the ball. The distance the ball travels will be determined by how much sand you make contact with.

5. Hit the ball forward, scooping sand along with the ball. Focus on the sand instead of the ball. Hit the sand with the club. The sand will push the ball from the sand trap.

6. Determine how far the ball travels out of the sand trap by how much sand you scoop. If you need to hit the ball only a short distance, aim for the club to make contact with the sand 3 or 4 inches behind the ball. To hit the ball a longer distance, aim for the club to make contact with the sand only 1 or 2 inches behind the ball.