Bunkers · Tip
A Simple Plan for the Basic Splash Shot
Part of our bunkers programs for fat or chunked, thin or bladed, not getting out. Build a program with it
The basic bunker shot comes down to three things. A solid base. Using the bounce. And always moving the sand. Set up like a normal pitch, parallel to your target. Then open the face by turning the club, not by changing your grip. That brings the bounce into play. Now open your stance. Pick a spot behind the ball. Swing through that spot and keep going toward the target. Moving sand is what lifts the ball.
Step by step
- Set up like a normal pitch.
- Turn the club open without regripping.
- Open your stance.
- Pick a spot behind the ball.
- Swing through to a full finish.
Why it works
An open clubface angles the bounce downward, so the back edge of the sole meets the sand first and glides instead of digging. The club slides under the ball and throws a cushion of sand forward, and that sand carries the ball out. Swinging through a spot behind the ball and on to a full finish keeps the club moving, so it moves sand every time.
Common mistakes
- You hit the ball directly instead of the sand behind it.Pick a spot a few inches behind the ball and keep your eyes on that spot through the swing.
- You open the face by regripping, which turns it back to square when you swing.Turn the club open first, then take your normal grip with the face still open.
- You stop the club after impact or decelerate as the sand slows it.Swing through to a full finish toward the target, even on a short shot.
How you'll know it's working
- The club leaves a shallow, even scoop of sand that starts behind the ball and ends in front of it.
- The ball comes out high and soft and lands without much roll.
- The club slides through the sand with a dull thud, and you do not feel it dig or bounce off.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Draw a line in the sand behind the ball and practice swinging through the line with no ball until the sand moves the same way each time.
Harder: Hit shots from different lies, such as a slightly sloped or firmer area, and try to land the ball on a chosen spot on the green.
Common questions
Why does the ball go over the green from a bunker?
You are most likely hitting too close to the ball or using too little sand, so the club strikes the ball more directly. Move your entry spot further behind the ball and keep the face open.
Do I need to open the clubface in a bunker?
Yes, for the basic splash shot. Opening the face brings the bounce into play so the club glides through the sand instead of digging in.
