The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-04-19
-SANDTRAPS-
Continued from Page l0)

against soleing the club; that is to
say, touching it on the sand.
The rule has a reason, though
aggravated golfers sometimes can
not see it. 1t is to prevent players
from scraping the sand away from
back of the ball. That is another
reason why practice will establish
quicker possibly than in sany other.
because practice will overcome the
fear of the shot, in showing that one
does not need to move sand behind
the ball or to sole the club if he
plays the shot correctly
They are many ways of playing
sand trap shots and not all the pro-
fessionals or amateurs play them
the same way at all times. OF
course, no shot varies so much in
the lie it presents to the golfer. In
fact, this shot 1 generally divide into
good and bad lies in describing how
to play it.
The good lie requires much less
explanation and may be played more
according to individual whim. Jack
Merriman, winner Of The Times
junior tournament last year, in play
ing the thirteenth hole at South
Grove, landed his ball in the trap
and his opponent was hole high
about three yards from the cup.
Merriman used his putter and placed
his ball within six inches of the cup,
halving the hole with his opponent.
1t was an easy matter for Merri-
man to play this shot with his putter
because the trap was a shallow one
and lie a good one. but l certainly
would not recommend the average
golfer to try to use the putter in sand
trap shots, at least not until he has
a good knowledge of the game. Clyde
Bowers shoots sand trap shots diff.
erently-sometimes with a mashie,
then again with his niblck, even
when the lies appear identical. Mike
Lawson gets tremendous distance
out of bunkers. He uses his niblick,
which is his favorite club. He uses
it whenever he can, even for his APP
proaches.
1t is not necessary to remove a lot
of sand in playing bad lie in the
sand trap. The only time to do this
is when the ball is in depression,
such as a heel mark. When the lie
is not a good one, it Is we'll to keep
your eye on the sand an inch or two
back of the ball. Hit there with a
descending blow, coming down at an
angle of about As degrees and you
will finish in the sand a little in ad-
vance of where the ball lays.
In the sand trap, particularly
where you play a real shot from a
bad lie. and with bank to be played
over where the ball must rise rapidly,
see to it that the stance is absolutely
secure with both feet planted firmly.
Work your feet into the sand if
necessary.
To play the real bunker shot, stand
behind the ball, which should be in
line with the left toe, the right foot
may even be forward little bit, CIV
ing an open stance, grip the club
firmly, in fact, this shot and playing
out of high grass are the only ones
where you hold tightly to the club,
but do not let it be in an unyielding
manner, as you must allow for lit
tie play in your wrists to raise the
ball at the moment of impact. That
the heel Of the club may get well
into the ball, keep the hands low and
Law the face of the club back more,
particularly if you are close to the
bank. If you are too close to the
hank, do not try to play out straight
toward the hole. Play out either end
or back, remembering that the main
idea when you are in bunker Is to
get out.
The taking Of sand IS advisable
when you are in one Of the shallow
traps close to the green. The ball
has but a few feet to clear and many
players think the best thing to do is
play the shot clearly, giving 1t but
little pitch with the mashie, but no
sort of control can be maintained in
playing the shot this way, as anxiety