If your nickname is Lawrence of Arabia because you spend much of your time in the sand, then I have a solution to your problems.Playing out of Bunkers(sand traps) can present problems to the average golfer if you don't understand the proper technique.

Conventional wisdom on bunker play holds that players should set up open to the target and swing along the line created by their feet,hips and shoulders.This technique does indeed work.Many Professionals and better players employ it.However, playing sand shots from an open position at impact, in my opinion,imparts a combination of backspin and sidespin on the golff ball,as opposed to pure backspin.This technique requires impeccable timing,which is one thing for the pros,who practice daily,and something entirely different for amateurs and recreational golfers who work on their games less frequent.

Here's my simple system,which is based on keeping your shoulders and hips square to the target both at address and at impact,which produces better bunker shots for several reasons-not the least of which are consistency and control.

Set up with your feet open to your intended target line,but aim your shoulders and hips to the target.Now,swing the club back on its natural plane,moving the clubhead off the target line to the inside through the rotation of your forearms.Keep your right elbow gently tucked to your side and don't lift the club,or try to swing up and away from your body to the outside.You'll want your upper body to be as passive as possible during bunker shots.

By not lifting the club on the backswing,you'll be able to come back to the ball on the downswing with a shallow angle of attack.Students of spin understand that a shallow angle at impact produces the purest hit on the clubface and imparts the most spin.Pure contact allows the ball to crawl up the clunface and land on the green with plenty of bite.With a shallow angle of attack,the harder you swing,the more spin you impart.In other words,this technique doesn't ask for finesse.You can't be tenative with it-you have to make an aggressive swing in order to get maximum results.

Distance control is achieved by changing the width of your stance at address.If your facing a short bunker shot,assume a wide stance,which restricts the length of your backswing.If your facing a longer bunker shot,narrow your stance at address,which will free you to make a bigger swing.On really long bunker shots,you may even choose to play the shot with a pitching wedge.Regardless,don't worry about the length of your backswing,Instead, focus on accelerating through the ball with a shallow angle of attack.If you do that, the ball will come out high,soft and spinning.

Adopt this new setup position-with your shoulders and hips square to the target-and I promise you'll be hitting shots that land softly,spin like crazy and bark like a dog.With a little practice you won't be intimidated next time your in the sand, and you'll be able to get it out with ease and control.