Bunkers · Drill
A Simple Bunker Process: Line, Thud, Finish
Part of our bunkers programs for fat or chunked, thin or bladed, not getting out. Build a program with it
This process gets struggling bunker players out fast. Draw a line in the practice sand. Put your lead heel on it. Open the face. Turn your lead foot out. Sink a little and keep your weight forward. Now swing and just notice where the club hits compared to the line. Let your body adjust on its own. Next, listen for a thud as the club enters. Then control distance with your finish. Short finish for short shots. Bigger finish for longer ones.
The drill
- Draw a line; lead heel on it.
- Open the face, flare the lead foot.
- Swing and notice where the club lands.
- Listen for the thud.
- Change the finish to change distance.
Why it works
The line gives the club a fixed reference, so you can see where the sand strike starts. With the face open, the club slides under the ball on its bounce instead of digging or catching the ball's equator. Keeping your weight forward and your lead foot flared helps the low point of the swing stay at or just ahead of the line, which fixes thin shots. A thud means the club entered the sand cleanly, and the length of your finish sets how fast the club moves through it, which sets distance.
Common mistakes
- You let your weight drift back onto your trail foot as you swing.Sink a little at address and keep most of your weight on your lead side through the finish.
- You close the face back to square after you open it, so the leading edge digs or skips.Open the face first, then take your grip, so the face stays open at address.
- You try to lift the ball and stop the swing at impact, which gives a thin shot.Aim to hit the sand at the line and swing through to a finish that matches the shot length.
How you'll know it's working
- The club leaves a mark at or just ahead of the line, not behind it.
- You hear a clear thud as the club enters the sand, not a scrape or a click.
- The ball comes out on a steady, rising path and lands softly instead of racing low across the green.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice without a ball first and only focus on where the club marks the sand compared to the line.
Harder: Place the ball on the line and hit shots to different targets, changing only the length of your finish.
Common questions
Why do I keep hitting the ball thin out of the bunker?
Usually the club bottoms out behind the ball or the face is too square, so the leading edge hits the ball. Open the face, keep your weight forward, and hit the sand just ahead of your lead heel line.
How do I control distance in a greenside bunker?
Keep the same tempo and change the length of your finish. A short finish gives a shorter shot, and a bigger finish gives a longer one.
