Bunkers · Drill
Draw a Line to Hit the Same Spot in the Sand
Part of our bunkers programs for fat or chunked. Build a program with it
Good bunker play starts with hitting the sand in the same spot each time. Not the ball. The sand. Find a flat, roomy part of a practice bunker. Draw a line in the sand with your club, across your target line. Now make swings that strike right on the line. Work your way along it. Check where each swing entered. Once you're consistent, put balls just ahead of the line.
The drill
- Find a flat area in the bunker.
- Draw a line across your target line.
- Make swings that hit the line.
- Move along it and check each entry.
- Add balls just ahead of the line.
Why it works
A greenside bunker shot works because the club enters the sand before the ball and pushes a layer of sand under it. The ball comes out on that sand. If the club enters in a different spot each swing, the amount of sand changes and the distance changes with it. A line gives you a fixed entry point, so you train the low point of the swing instead of chasing the ball.
Common mistakes
- You look at the ball area instead of the line, so the club enters at a random spot.Keep your eyes on the line and start with no ball at all.
- You hit the line and then stop the club, which makes the swing short and jerky.Let the club slide through the sand and finish with the club moving past the line.
- You place the ball on the line or behind it, which leads to thin or fat shots.Put the ball just ahead of the line so the club enters at the line and the sand carries the ball out.
How you'll know it's working
- The mark your club leaves starts on or very near the line on most swings.
- The sand you throw lands on the green, and the shot comes out with a soft, steady flight.
- With balls added, you stop hitting the ball first and the shots land at a similar distance.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Make smaller swings with no ball until your club enters the line on nearly every swing.
Harder: Draw a new line after each swing, or add balls and try to land them in a small target area on the green.
Common questions
Where should the club enter the sand in a bunker shot?
For a standard shot, the club should enter a few inches behind the ball. The line drill teaches you to repeat that entry point.
Why do I keep hitting fat shots in the bunker?
Fat bunker shots often come from the club entering the sand too far behind the ball, or from the swing losing speed in the sand. Practice entering at one spot and swinging through to a full finish.
