Open up and let it fly: alignment for bunker shots
Check setup, for a 28-handicap player, ~20 minutes at Alan Sims
Short GameAll teesProgram HCP 27.53 drills
Program Snapshot
Handicap range
5 to 45
Average HCP
27.5
Duration (single session)
1 hr 18 min
or
1 drill/day: 3 days · 26 min/day
Ideal tee
All
Skill Distribution
Alignment26%
Distance Control25%
Precision14%
Aim10%
Scoring10%
Trajectory10%
Dispersion5%
Overview
Program Structure
Open up and let it fly: alignment for bunker shots. Match clubface and check setup. Focus on Alignment, Distance Control, Precision, Aim, Scoring, Trajectory, Dispersion. For a 28-handicap player, in ~20 minutes.
Skill
Alignment
Shot
Sand
What you will improve
Alignment
Distance Control
Precision
Aim
Program details
Sessions
3 focused drills
Recommended
2–3 sessions / week
Total duration
1 hr 18 min
or
1 drill per day
3 days · 26 min/day
Drill Framework
Program breakdown
Each drill is designed to prepare you for the course. Follow the program or repeat the drills to improve key areas of your game.
Hit two buckets of balls (avg. bucket is 40 balls) from the sand.
26 minFocus: Short Game
1
Pick two different spots in the bunker, 40 to 60 yards from the hole.
2
Put 3 markers in a straight line on the green, about 6 feet apart near the hole.
3
Hit 36 shots in total: 18 from the first spot and 18 from the second spot.
4
From the first spot, hit 6 balls at each target, any order.
5
Do the same from the second spot: 6 balls at each target.
6
A shot is good if the ball stops near the target.
7
Count how many balls land close to the targets.
8
Add up your good shots out of 36 and enter the score in the app.
Scoring benchmarks
Repetitions36
Handicap
+9
+5
+1
5
12
19
27
36
54
Score
30
28
25
22
18
14
10
7
4
02
Sand | Perpendicular Piles | Multiple Targets
Short Game
Align a bucket of balls in the sand (avg. bucket is 40 balls) into 10 equal perpendicular piles of 4 balls and stop sand shots close to multiple targets. Count the number of successes.
26 minFocus: Short Game
1
Set up 40 balls in 10 piles of 4 balls each. Arrange 5 piles in one line, spaced 5 yards apart. Arrange another 5 piles in a line crossing the first line, spaced 2 yards apart.
2
Place 3 flags on the green, 10 yards apart, as targets named Target 1, Target 2, and Target
3
Hit 36 sand shots in total, with 12 shots at each target.
4
Take 4 shots from each pile, moving to the next pile after 4 shots. Change which target you aim at for each pile in order (Target 1, then Target 2, then Target 3, then repeat).
5
Count shots that stop within 10 feet of the intended target as successful.
6
Add up your successful shots out of 36 and enter the score in the app.
Scoring benchmarks
Repetitions36
Handicap
+9
+5
+1
5
12
19
27
36
54
Score
30
28
26
22
17
13
9
6
3
03
Sand | Perpendicular Ball Lines | 3 Landing Zones
Short Game
Align a bucket of balls in the sand (avg. bucket is 40 balls) into 2 perpendicular lines 20 balls per line and hit-and-land sand shots inside landing zones. Count the number of successes.
26 minFocus: Short Game
1
In the sand bunker, arrange two lines of balls in a cross shape. Each line has 18 balls, about 1 foot apart.
2
On the green, set up three landing zones in a row using sticks, clubs, or strings. Each zone is about 6 feet apart.
3
Hit 36 sand shots, divided into three groups of
4
For each group of 12 shots, aim at one landing zone. Start with Zone 1, then Zone 2, then Zone
5
Switch between the two ball lines every 4 to 6 shots.
6
Count shots that land and stop in the right landing zone as a success.
7
When all 36 shots are done, add up your successes and enter your total successful shots out of 36 attempts.
Scoring benchmarks
Repetitions36
Handicap
+9
+5
+1
5
12
19
27
36
54
Score
30
28
25
22
17
13
9
6
3
Next Step
Ready to start this program?
Start the drills at your own pace or work with a resident professional on this course.