Bunkers · Lesson
How to Play a 50-Yard Bunker Shot
Part of our bunkers programs for not getting out, distance from sand. Build a program with it
The long bunker shot is awkward. Too far for a normal splash. Too short for a full swing. Pick a sand or gap wedge, based on how far it needs to carry. Open your stance a little. Adjust your ball position. Picture the flight and landing spot. Then make a smooth swing that keeps accelerating. Commit once you decide. Practice this shot on purpose. Not every one will be perfect, so be patient.
Step by step
- Pick a sand or gap wedge.
- Open your stance slightly.
- Picture the flight and landing.
- Swing smoothly and keep accelerating.
- Practice it on purpose.
Why it works
A 50-yard bunker shot needs the club to pass through the sand just before the ball, so the sand carries the ball out. It also needs more speed than a splash shot. A sand or gap wedge has enough loft to clear the lip and enough weight to move through the sand. A smooth swing that keeps accelerating holds the club speed steady through impact, so the ball carries the distance you picked instead of coming up short or flying long.
Common mistakes
- You decelerate through impact because the distance feels long.Make a smooth swing and keep the club speeding up until you finish, and pick a club with enough carry so you do not need to force it.
- You hit the ball first, which sends it low and far.Pick a spot in the sand just behind the ball and aim to brush the club through that spot.
- You change your mind about the club or landing spot halfway through the swing.Decide on the club, the flight and the landing spot before you set up, then commit to that plan.
How you'll know it's working
- The club leaves a shallow mark in the sand that starts just behind where the ball was.
- The ball starts on your chosen line and lands near the spot you picked.
- Your swing feels smooth, and your finish is full and balanced rather than cut short.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice in a flat, clean lie with a gap wedge and use a landing target that is large and easy to see.
Harder: Play from a slightly uphill, downhill or buried lie, or pick a small landing target and change the distance every shot.
Common questions
Which club should I use for a 50-yard bunker shot?
Use a sand wedge or a gap wedge. Choose the one that carries the ball the distance you need, and the lip height and the lie will also influence the choice.
Why do I keep hitting long bunker shots thin or fat?
Most often the swing slows down before impact or the club enters the sand in the wrong place. Keep accelerating and pick a spot in the sand just behind the ball to aim for.
