Bunkers · Tip
Five Tips for Greenside Bunkers
Part of our bunkers programs for not getting out, plugged or odd lies. Build a program with it
Here are five ways to get more bunker shots onto the green. On a downhill lie, swing with the slope. Expect a shorter finish and a lower ball that runs. On downhill lies, a wedge with less bounce can help you dig in. As you settle your feet, feel the sand. Is it fluffy or firm? Let that decide the shot. Release the club through the sand. That creates spin. And don't fear bunkers. The shot is often more predictable than from thick rough.
Step by step
- On downhill lies, swing with the slope.
- Try less bounce when downhill.
- Feel the sand with your feet.
- Release the club through the sand.
- Treat bunkers as predictable.
Why it works
On a downhill lie your shoulders should match the slope so the club enters the sand at the right angle and does not bounce off it. The slope de-lofts the face, so the ball comes out lower and runs more, and a shorter finish follows from the swing following the slope. Releasing the club through the sand keeps speed in the head, which lets the sand carry the ball out with spin. Feeling the sand tells you how much the club will dig or skid before you swing.
Common mistakes
- You lean back against the slope on a downhill lie and hit the sand too early or blade the ball.Set your shoulders parallel to the slope and swing down it, keeping your weight slightly on the lower foot.
- You decelerate through impact because you fear the shot.Keep the club moving and release it through the sand until the finish, even if the finish is short.
- You ignore the sand type and play every bunker the same way.Wiggle your feet in as you set up, note whether the sand is fluffy or firm, and adjust how much the club digs or skids before you swing.
How you'll know it's working
- The club leaves a shallow, even scoop of sand that starts just before the ball.
- From a downhill lie, the ball comes out low and runs toward the hole rather than stopping quickly.
- The ball lands on the green and shows some spin, with the club still moving after impact.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice from a flat, fluffy lie first, so you can focus on releasing the club through the sand before adding a slope.
Harder: Build a downhill lie in firm sand and play to a close target, switching between wedges with more and less bounce to compare the results.
Common questions
How do you hit a bunker shot from a downhill lie?
Set your shoulders to match the slope and swing down it. Expect a lower ball that runs more, and a shorter finish.
Should you use a wedge with less bounce in a bunker?
On a downhill lie, less bounce can help the club dig in rather than skip off the sand. On flat or fluffy sand, you may not need it.
