How to Get Out of Life's Sand Bunkers

Many people get stuck on stupid in this key stage. Why? Because they live in a state of constant denial. I had to be honest with myself and admit that I had a problem, and I was the only person who could take the steps necessary to fix it.  

So into the practice sand bunker I went. Early on, I m not going to lie to you, it was 8 and I was still working to get the anger and frustration out of my being. Balls went everywhere. Then a small discovery was made. Swing harder and swing THROUGH the sand, not AT the sand.

My backswing in the sand became more relaxed. The next 200-300 balls were still not landing with any reasonable pattern or control, but the balls were successfully leaving the sand.  Side note: Leaders are sometimes way too impatient because they are expecting immediate complete results.

The practice bunker taught me to embrace small incremental improvements because they always precede the big result you are ultimately seeking. 

I seem to recall taking a break and grabbing a swig of water after pounding about 300 balls. The transformation of my bunker skills had begun. Right now, I can remember re-entering that bunker with a sense of calmness that I had never had before. I had faced my fear head-on and it was working, but not without massive action.  (Did you catch that last line? Go back and read it again. Slowly.)  During the last leg of hitting the final 200 balls, I began to fine-tune the more intricate details of bunker play. I began to do things like "feeling" the back swing and "visualizing" what type of swing is needed to propel the ball into the air at the right distance. I noticed other things, like hitting out of a thin bunker lie (a bunker shot that has very little sand at the base of the ball) or a fluffy lie (a bunker shot that has far too much sand all around it, making the shot very unpredictable upon its exit). 

Here's what happened. After crawling out of that practice bunker — 500 balls later — I was exhausted. I was spent. I was also happy, fulfilled and excited about the next day on the course.

The time would come that I would master bunker play in the heat of competitive rounds, but it would have to be delayed. Because, you see, in my trance-like practice, I had created blisters and both hands were bleeding and beginning to swell. 

So here are the lessons to focus on:

1. Develop the ability to recognize that you lack a certain skill(s):
2. Embrace your issues of denial
3. PRACTICE!
4. If you have a problem then it is your problem to fix!
5. Embrace small incremental improvements.
6. Face your fear, then conquer it with massive action.
7. Sometimes you have to push yourself to the brink before you can realize your true potential
8. Far better it is to spend time in recuperation, knowing that it was time well spent in the pursuit of better skills or a worthy goal.

Use this article in an "alone" session. And yes, you should have a meditative "alone" session at least once a week. No kids, no spouse, no distractions, no phones, no co-workers, usually inspired by or in nature.

Find your quiet place and set an appointment to re-find that place at regular intervals. The process will invigorate you in ways beyond your imagination. Try it, then drop me a line about your experience at [email protected].