Hey there, golf warriors! Today, we’re venturing into the sandy side of the course—those bunkers, traps, and beach-like hazards that seem to pop up exactly where you don’t want them. Bunkers are like the quicksand of golf; one wrong step and your game could sink faster than a golf ball into a water hazard. But don’t worry—I’ve got your back. Let’s dive into the art of bunker escapes with a touch of humor and, hopefully, without too much sand in our shoes.

1. The Sand Trap Strategy: Aim for Survival
   First things first: getting stuck in a bunker isn’t the end of the world (though it might feel like it if you’ve found yourself in one of those “death traps” where the lip is higher than your dreams of breaking 90). The key? Survival. Don’t overthink it. Your goal is simple—get out and live to putt another day. Sure, you’d like to land softly on the green, but let’s be honest—getting anywhere onto solid grass feels like a win.
2. The “Flop It and Flee” Approach
   Ah, the flop shot. When executed correctly, it’s one of the most beautiful shots in golf, and when it goes wrong, it’s like flinging a shovelful of sand in your face. The trick to a good flop out of a bunker? Open the clubface wide, aim slightly behind the ball, and swing like you’re trying to toss a pancake onto the green (without the sticky mess). The real key is your confidence—flop it and flee before anyone realizes you were as nervous as a cat in a dog park.
3. The 3 Types of Bunker Players: Which One Are You?
   There are three types of golfers when it comes to bunkers:
   • The “Pretender” – This golfer steps into the bunker and instantly regrets every life choice that led them here. Their bunker shot might go sideways (literally), but they’ll put on a brave face and laugh it off. Bonus points if they brush off the sand with a half-smile, pretending it’s no big deal.
   • The “Digger” – Armed with a sand wedge and a mission, they dig into the bunker with full commitment. Every swing gets them closer to the surface… but mostly it’s just a lot of sand. By the time they’re out, they’ve practically built their own bunker.
   • The “Pro” – This rare breed strides into the bunker like it’s their personal beach. They barely disturb the sand, and the ball floats gracefully out, landing inches from the pin. These people exist to make the rest of us look like amateurs, but we all secretly want to be them.
4. The Secret? It’s All in the Follow-Through
   Here’s the big secret that’ll change your bunker game: the follow-through is everything. You need to swing through the sand like you’re cutting through butter with a hot knife. Don’t stop after contact—keep going, and let that momentum carry you (and the ball) to freedom. Think of it as the golf equivalent of running through the finish line, not to it.
5. Own the Sand Dance
   Lastly, let’s not forget that bunkers aren’t just about survival. No, my friends, they’re about style. The moment you step into that sandy pit, you’re not just a golfer—you’re an artist about to perform a masterpiece. Own the bunker like it’s your stage. And when you finally hit that ball onto the green, do the post-swing sand dance—you know, that little twist as you casually sweep the sand with your foot, pretending that was all part of the plan.
6. Keep Calm and Rake On
   When all is said and done, remember: bunkers are temporary, but raking is forever. After your escape (or at least after you’ve dug yourself out), it’s time to channel your inner zen gardener and rake the bunker smooth for the next poor soul. It’s golf karma—leave it better than you found it. And don’t forget to smile while you rake—it’s part of the healing process.

So there you have it, fellow golf gladiators—the battle of the bunkers, waged and (hopefully) won. Next time you find yourself knee-deep in sand, remember these tips: survive with style, embrace the flop, own the follow-through, and most importantly, laugh it off. You’ll get out, eventually, and when you do, you’ll be a little wiser—and possibly a little sandier. Until next time, may your swings be clean, your sand traps be shallow, and your escapes be legendary. Swing on, my friends!

Many have been using the Plumb Bob method to help read greens for over 20 years. In this video, we are going to put it to the test. Paul (a PGA Professional) has been using a method called AimPoint, which is a green reading system that has been tried and tested at the highest level. I will tell you that PGA tour pros like Keegan Bradley, Max Homa, and Adam Scott subscribe to the Aim Point Method. While the likes of Rickey Fowler and many others rely on the Plumb Bob method… The bottom line both work, if used correctly.

Today -We will be looking at how the Plumb Bob method holds up against the AimPoint method and really see if the Plumb Bob has been helping or hindering us all over the years and if we are using it correctly.

Keep in mind: One of the key differences between the two methods is that Aimpoint Putting relies on the golfer’s ability to interpret the slope of the green using their body weight, while Plumb-Bob Putting relies on the golfer’s ability to visualize the slope using a plumb bob.

Tell us what method you use to hole more putts and why in the comments below…

On the face of it, it’s almost a little too obvious.

Aiming in golf is really hard. But aiming well is especially important on the greens. The good news, though, is that golf balls are created with a line on them. Use the line on the ball to make sure you’re aiming exactly where you want. Problem solved, right?

Well, kind of.

It’s true that using a line can solve the problem of helping you aim where you intend to, but it can also create another one along the way.

Michael Kim, the winner of the 2018 John Deere Classic, brought it up during our interview, which was published last week. We kept that article full swing-focused but his take on the line was an interesting one, and worth a follow-up.

Kim, like Tiger Woods, Brad Faxon, and countless others, uses the line on the golf ball. He says it helps him aim better. But his advice for amateur golfers is to not bother using the line on the golf ball. Why?

Don’t use the line

The reason is pretty simple, ultimately: Kim says most golfers struggle with reading putts correctly and often get into a habit of compensating by consistently pushing or pulling their putts. Using a line may help you aim better, but it probably won’t improve your green reading skills or the technical aspects of your putting stroke. At least not right away.

This is why Kim says amateur golfers should ditch the line, and trust their instincts instead:

“Most amateur golfers shouldn’t use a line, because they’re usually not great at green reading and they rarely start their putts online. They think they’re aiming at one spot, but they’re really aiming at another. A line, for so many of them, may help them aim more accurately, but they’ll still struggle to start their putts online and read greens. I think that instead, they should tap more into where their brain and body is telling them where to aim. It will help them react a little better to the target. You don’t need to have a perfect stroke to make putts.”

Read the putt standing over the ball

Kim’s advice instead is to read the putt primarily when you’re standing over the golf ball…

“Let’s say I’m reading a putt that looks like a cup of break from behind the ball, and then I stand over the ball and it looks like two cups. I’ll always go with what I see when I’’m over the ball because that’s the point of view from which I’ve seen putts roll into the hole or miss. Even though I think I’m pretty good at reading putts from behind the ball, my brain will sometimes pick up on something over the ball based on past experience.”

…and to hone these instincts in some different ways on the practice putting green.