Bunkers · Lesson
The Long Greenside Bunker Shot
Part of our bunkers programs for fat or chunked, thin or bladed, not getting out. Build a program with it
A long bunker shot is one of golf's hardest. The common mistake is swinging much harder with a sand wedge. Try less loft instead. A gap wedge or even a 9-iron works for 30 to 50 yards. Square the face more than usual. Take a thinner slice of sand, about an inch behind the ball. Make a longer swing with steady legs. Don't overdo it with your body. Expect more roll.
Step by step
- Use a gap wedge or 9-iron.
- Square the face more.
- Take a thinner slice of sand.
- Make a longer swing with steady legs.
- Plan for roll.
Why it works
A sand wedge has a lot of loft and bounce, so it needs a very fast swing to carry 30 to 50 yards from sand. Less loft sends more of the energy forward, so you can swing at a normal pace and still get distance. A squarer face and a thinner slice of sand, about an inch behind the ball, let the club pass through the sand without losing speed. Steady legs keep the low point of the swing in the same place, so the strike stays consistent.
Common mistakes
- You keep the sand wedge and swing much harder to reach the green.Switch to a gap wedge or 9-iron and swing at a smooth, normal pace.
- You hit too far behind the ball and the club digs and stops.Aim at a spot about an inch behind the ball and take a thin slice of sand.
- You slide or turn your body too much, and the low point moves around.Keep your legs steady and let the longer arm and club swing make the distance.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball leaves the sand on a low, steady flight and lands on the green short of the flag.
- You see a shallow, thin divot starting about an inch behind where the ball was, and the ball does not come out heavy.
- The ball rolls out noticeably after landing, and you can predict how far.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice with a 9-iron and aim at a large target, such as the middle of the green, so you can learn the contact and the roll first.
Harder: Use a gap wedge and pick a specific landing spot to the flag, then try to finish the ball within a few paces of it with the roll you expect.
Common questions
What club should I use for a long bunker shot?
For about 30 to 50 yards, use a gap wedge or a 9-iron. These have less loft than a sand wedge, so you do not need to swing harder to get the distance.
How far behind the ball should I hit in a long bunker shot?
Aim to enter the sand about an inch behind the ball. This is a thinner slice of sand than a normal greenside bunker shot.
