Bunkers · Drill
Throw the Sand Onto the Green
Part of our bunkers programs for thin or bladed, distance from sand. Build a program with it
A common bunker mistake is slowing down at impact. Usually it's fear of hitting the ball too far. But the sand slows the club for you. So a bunker shot needs a full, committed swing. Change your thought. Don't think about the ball. Think about throwing sand onto the green. Practice it without a ball first. When the sand flies toward the target, the ball comes with it.
The drill
- Set up in the bunker with no ball.
- Swing and throw sand toward the green.
- Listen for a thump, not a dig.
- Add a ball with the same thought.
- Finish high every time.
Why it works
In a greenside bunker the club enters the sand behind the ball and moves a layer of sand forward. The ball rides out on that sand, so the sand does the work, not the clubface. The sand also slows the club, so you need a full, committed swing to keep enough speed through impact. Thinking about throwing sand gives you a target for the swing and stops you from decelerating out of fear.
Common mistakes
- You slow the club down just before impact.Keep the swing speed rising through the sand and finish high, as if you were throwing the sand over the lip.
- You look at the ball and try to hit it.Look at a spot in the sand behind the ball and focus on moving that sand toward the green.
- You dig the club in and the sand stays in the bunker.Listen for a thump, let the club slide under the sand, and keep swinging to a full finish instead of stopping in the sand.
How you'll know it's working
- The sand lands on the green, not in the bunker, when you swing without a ball.
- You hear a soft thump as the club slides through the sand, not a sharp dig.
- With a ball, it comes out on a soft, high path and lands on the green with the sand.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Draw a line in the sand and throw sand past it with no ball until it feels easy.
Harder: Add a ball and aim for a target on the green, or change the distance of the throw by changing the length of your swing, not its speed.
Common questions
Why do I leave the ball in the bunker?
Most often you slow the club down or stop it in the sand. Swing fully, enter the sand behind the ball, and finish high so the sand carries the ball out.
Should I hit the ball or the sand in a bunker shot?
You hit the sand behind the ball. The sand pushes the ball out, so the club does not need to touch it first.
