Pro Tip: In this instalment, we will deal with the dreaded Sand Trap or bunker! The most important thing to know about a bunker shot is that the sand actually gets the ball out of the bunker and not the clubface.

The correct technique is as follows:

1) Put the ball in the front of the stance to make sure you hit behind the ball.
2) Line up left of the target for right handers and right of target for lefthanders.
3) Keep the clubface open to the target and try to keep it open through the shot.
4) Make an early break with the wrists at takeaway but keep your lower body strong.
5) Accelerate through the shot and hit about 1 inch behind the ball through the sand.
6) Finsh the shot with your belt buckle pointing to the target.

To take a tip from one of the best bunker players there has ever been, Gary Player: ?The more you practice the luckier you get!?

This week I want to make mention of the incredible performance of fellow South African Charl Schwartzel by winning the US Masters and becoming only the third South African to do so. Well done Charl that leaves two of the Major trophies in South Africa at the same time, Louis Oosthuizen won the British Open and now Charl in the Masters.

Course Review:

This issue's course review is Mission Hills Country Club Phuket: As far as I could find out there is no relation between the famous Mission Hills Golf Club in China and the one on Phuket. The Phuket course is a Jack Nicklaus signature course and I must say, having played a few Nicklaus courses: You can see the hand of Jack in this course.

The clubhouse facilities are great and the reception at the entrance and in the Pro shop is professional and very friendly. The locker rooms are great with nice showers and locker facilities much better than what we experienced at Loch Palm for instance.

The course itself is a great lay-out with proper par fives and the fairways are huge and well maintained, I played at the same course a year or so ago and was really disappointed with the overall condition of the course but I must say there is a huge improvement especially with the greens.

It is the only course on Phuket where you can actually experience the magnificent ocean views although one must take into consideration that the salty ocean air has a negative influence on the grass.

There are three holes where the actual beach is the sand trap and if you overshoot the green you have to play from the beach! Amazing!

We played on a Friday where Phuket residents get discount and pay just 1800 baht which includes a cart, caddy and greenfees, a real good deal.

I must say however that I am not a big supporter of buggies on a golfcourse but will address that bugbear in the next issue of the Post.

We really enjoyed our outing, although we thought that the restaurant was a bit expensive and that kept us from spending too much time at the beautiful clubhouse.

I would invite anyone to play Mission Hills on a Friday at the discounted rates, I however feel the course is not yet in a good enough condition to pay more to play there.

Good Luck, Keep Swinging!

Feel free to contact me at:deonnell@worldonline.co.za