Point of Entry Drill

From Marty Fleckman
Director of Instruction, BlackHorse Golf Club

One of the most critical parts of consistent sand play is having the club enter the sand at the same point on every shot during the forward swing. Achieving the correct point of entry - two inches behind the ball - can be practiced using this drill.

1. First, draw a line in the sand about six feet long (represented by the red line in the photo).

2. About two inches in front of that line, take your club head and make some indentations in the sand six inches apart to replicate some imaginary balls (indicated by the white dots).

3. Then assume the correct setup (as described in "Three Keys to Successful Sand Play") and start making some swings.

Your objective with this drill is to have the club enter the sand on the line you've drawn, which is two inches behind the "balls." Practicing this drill can help you achieve consistency on your point of entry with greenside sand shots.

About the Author
Marty Fleckman is Director of Instruction at BlackHorse Golf Club in Cypress, Texas, in the Houston metropolitan area. Marty credits Byron Nelson, Carl Lohren and Jim Hardy for contributing to his success in golf. In 1964 Marty won the Texas State Amateur Championship, and followed that up in 1965 with the NCAA individual championship while playing for the University of Houston. He was a member of the United States Walker Cup team in 1967. Marty is one of only four players in the history of the PGA Tour to win in his first start as a professional. In 1986 he was inducted into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame. Marty is also a member of the PGA of America and the PGA Tour. Visit Marty's website for more info.