Bunkers · Lesson
Five Bunker Basics
Part of our bunkers programs for fat or chunked, thin or bladed, not getting out. Build a program with it
Get these five things right and most bunker shots get easier. Pick a sand or lob wedge with some bounce, so it glides. Read the sand. Firm or wet sand plays differently from soft, dry sand. Set the face to match. More open in soft sand. Less open in firm sand. Take a wide stance and dig your feet in. Ball a little forward. Then commit to a swing that enters the sand behind the ball. You're moving sand, not hitting the ball.
Step by step
- Pick a wedge with bounce.
- Check if the sand is firm or soft.
- Open the face more in soft sand.
- Wide stance, feet dug in.
- Commit to hitting the sand first.
Why it works
Bounce is the angled sole of the wedge. It lets the club skim through sand instead of digging in, so the club slides under the ball and the sand carries it out. A wide, dug-in stance gives you a steady base, and a ball slightly forward lets the club reach the low point behind the ball. Matching the face to the sand controls how much bounce works: more open in soft sand, less open in firm sand.
Common mistakes
- Trying to hit the ball cleanly instead of the sand.Pick a spot a few inches behind the ball and aim to enter the sand there every time.
- Slowing down or stopping the swing through impact.Make a full backswing and finish the swing, because the sand slows the club for you.
- Using the same face angle in every bunker.Check the sand first, then open the face more in soft sand and less in firm sand.
How you'll know it's working
- The club leaves a shallow scoop of sand that starts behind the ball and ends just past it.
- The ball lifts out on a steady, fairly high flight and lands softly.
- You hear a soft thud rather than a sharp click, and the club does not dig in or bounce off the sand.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice in soft, dry sand and draw a line in the sand a few inches behind the ball to aim at.
Harder: Practice in firm or wet sand, or vary the ball position and the face angle, and try to land the ball on a small target.
Common questions
What wedge should I use in a greenside bunker?
Use a sand wedge or lob wedge that has some bounce. The bounce helps the club glide through the sand instead of digging.
Why do I keep skulling or chunking bunker shots?
Usually you are trying to hit the ball instead of the sand, or you are slowing down through impact. Aim behind the ball and swing through to a full finish.
