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The 2 best drills for practicing bunker shots

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Welcome to Play Smart, a regular GOLF.com game-improvement column that will help you play smarter, better golf.

Bunkers are a place of anxiety for most recreational golfers. Whether it be from a lack of practice or an incorrect technique, bunkers give most weekend warriors fits.

David Armitage, a GOLF Top 100 Teacher, knows this fact well — and he’s set on changing it. Although he teaches all facets of the game, his favorite topic is bunker play. Specifically, helping his students conquer their fear of the sand.

That’s why he wrote a book on the subject (yes, really!) and recently teamed up with us here at GOLF to create the most comprehensive guide to bunker play out there.

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Check out the full video below, or read on for an excerpt detailing the two drills Armitage recommends for improving your bunker play.

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Rake drill

One of Armitage’s favorite drills features a tool you can find in just about any bunker: a rake. He places it behind the ball a about a foot or so, meaning that if he sways or falls back during the swing, he will hit it. The drill helps golfers understand how vertical the swing needs to be for a proper bunker shot.

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“If I drift off the ball on the backswing, I’m gonna hit the rake,” Armitage says.

The rake also helps golfers make sure the downswing is steep and getting the low point in the correct location. Armitage recommends starting slowly (so you don’t accidentally hit the rake) and using the drill to build the feeling of the correct motion.

“Do it slowly,” he says. “Maybe just do it in very slow motion just to get the image and the feeling.”

Once you get the hang of it, you can build up to a faster swing.

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Line drill

Another drill comes from Ernie Els. Armitage says Els would draw two lines in the sand, set up wide, and make swings that focused on contacting the sand between those lines. He would then make two or three of those swings before hitting a ball.

“That’s what the pros do, and one of the best players in the world,” Armitage says.

The lesson for amateurs is to do the same. Rather than immediately hitting balls, start by practicing the setup and the strike.

“Do the line drills first, get that impact where you want it, and then take that to the ball,” he says.

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This drill helps instill the feel for controlling the low point in your swing and getting a feel for where the clubhead should enter the sand. If you can contact the clubhead between the lines with consistency, you’ll have no problem splashing the ball out of the sand when you’re on the course.

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3 Key Vikings on Offense vs. Packers

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The Minnesota Vikings start the 2026 season with a home game against their division rival Green Bay Packers. A mix of familiar and new faces will take the field in purple on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

3 Key Vikings on Offense vs. Packers

I am picking three Vikings on offense who I think can play a particularly key role in the Vikings winning this game. Of course, anyone on the roster could have a big day and be the difference (while you would expect Justin Jefferson always to be key). However, these are three guys on offense who I think will be important to how this game plays out.

Kyler Murray

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants
Aug 15, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (1) passes the ball against the New York Giants during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Minnesota’s 2025 season was completely derailed by substandard quarterback play from multiple QBs. The Vikings’ answer for that problem was to sign Kyler Murray in free agency. He’s a QB who should bring accurate passing as well as the athleticism to go off structure and make plays with both his arms and legs. Murray will be the center of attention on Sunday as onlookers will look to make a snap judgment as to whether he is the man who can make this Vikings team a contender – or at least playoff hopefuls. 

He can lead his team to a win if he can throw for 300+ yards, multiple passing touchdowns, and showcase some of that athleticism he is known for. If so, the excitement will start early. Conversely, if he has a quiet or bad game the knives will be out for a player who often draws criticism for not trying hard enough. Murray’s career has faltered after a bright start and he represents a cheap gamble, costing Minnesota just $1.3 million for the season. Both parties need it to work and a good start will be vital. 

Blake Brandel

Blake Brandel
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Blake Brandel (64) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

I’m not convinced that converting Blake Brandel to the full-time starting center was a wise idea. We get the first look at what that will look like in Week 1 where Brandel draws a favorable matchup to start the season. Without the injured Micah Parsons, Green Bay’s defensive line is not one of the league’s more formidable. Rookie nose tackle Chris McClellan will often line up opposite Brandel and he is a good size at 323 pounds, but Brandel needs to use his experience to get the better of him.

Devonte Wyatt will also be looking to disrupt things down the middle. A healthy Wyatt is a good interior pass rusher but his 2025 season was hindered by knee and ankle injuries. The Vikings need Brandel to pass this test as there will be sterner tests to come. If he can’t hold his own here there will be problems in Minnesota with no alternative on the roster worth pinning your hopes on. 

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Jordan Mason

NFL: Washington Commanders at Minnesota Vikings
Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) rushes the ball against the Washington Commanders during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

It’s become a yearly discussion since Kevin O’Connell became the head coach in Minnesota, but his offense needs to establish a more dominant run game. There have been times when the rushing attack has been good, at other times it has been bad, but all too often it has been overlooked/abandoned. Dominating on the ground can set the tone for an offense and the man to do that for Minnesota is Jordan Mason. This year there should at a minimum be an equal share of carries between Mason and Aaron Jones with Jones entering the twilight of his career.

For me, Mason, who led the team with six touchdowns and averaged 4.8 yards per carry last season should lead the ground attack. His limitations as a pass catcher mean there is still plenty of room for Jones in the offense. However, in Week 1, I want to see the Vikings make a statement with their run game and a lot of that should fall on the shoulders of Mason.


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Golden Knights sign Braeden Bowman to six-year contract extension

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Forward Braden Bowman has signed a six-year, $20.4 million contract extension, the Golden Knights announced Thursday.

With still one year remaining on his two-year, entry-level deal, Bowman’s new contract will take effect next season.

Bowman, 23, made his NHL debut with the Golden Knights last season, recording 26 points (eight goals and 18 assists) in 54 games. He was a healthy scratch during the playoffs but did appear in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final as the Golden Knights lost to the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Kitchener, Ont., native has also appeared in 88 career AHL games, all with the Golden Knights’ affiliate, and has posted 62 points (26 goals and 36 assists).

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