Bunkers · Tip
Three Checks Before a Fairway Bunker Shot
Part of our bunkers programs for thin or bladed, distance from sand, fairway bunkers. Build a program with it
A fairway bunker shot is a full swing where you hit the ball first. That's the opposite of a greenside shot. Before you swing, check three things. The lie. The height of the lip on your line. And your footing. Pick a club with enough loft to clear the lip easily, even if it means a safer target. Work your feet into the sand for balance. Then grip down by about the same amount your feet sank. Make your normal swing.
Step by step
- Check the lie.
- Check the lip.
- Take enough loft.
- Dig your feet in.
- Grip down to match.
Why it works
A fairway bunker shot needs the ball struck before the sand, so the low point of your swing must sit at or just ahead of the ball. Checking the lie and the lip tells you whether you can hit a full shot and which club clears the face. Digging your feet in gives a stable base, and gripping down by the amount your feet sank keeps the club bottoming out in the same place as on firm ground.
Common mistakes
- You pick a club that only just clears the lip.Choose a club with enough loft to clear the lip easily, and accept a safer target if you need to.
- You dig your feet in but keep your normal grip length.Grip down by about the same amount your feet sank so the club still reaches the ball and not the sand behind it.
- You swing harder to make up for the sand and lose your balance.Make your normal swing from a stable base, and choose a longer club if you need more distance.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball is struck cleanly, with the sand disturbed only after the ball is gone.
- The ball starts on your line and clears the lip without clipping it.
- Your feet stay steady through the swing and you finish in balance.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice from a bunker with a flat lie and a low lip so you can focus on the footing and grip-down steps.
Harder: Practice from a lie with a higher lip, and pick the club and target before you swing.
Common questions
Should I hit the sand first or the ball first in a fairway bunker?
Hit the ball first. A fairway bunker shot is a full swing, the opposite of a greenside bunker shot, where you hit the sand first.
How do I know which club to use in a fairway bunker?
Check the lip on your line and pick a club with enough loft to clear it easily. If that means a shorter club, choose a safer target.
