A tale of two sands

​They have the luxury of having bunkers prepared to a specific spec. Their caddies are fined if they don't rake the bunker correctly. This allows them an element of predictability in what to expect when they enter the sand.

However, even the best maintained courses will have a huge discrepancy between how bunkers are prepared. Sometimes the same bunker can have both soft and hard sand.

The firmer the sand, try squaring the face and hitting closer to the ball with less speed than for a standard shot.

For softer sand try opening the face and hitting a little farther back from the ball with a little more speed than a standard shot.

For both shots it is hugely important to keep your height and build a good foundation in the sand.

GOLFNET TIP: Read the sand around the ball not around your feet, they could be different. Colour, impact mark and the trail the ball leaves will give you clues.