Good Bunker Shots - Set up and Strategies Help Lower Scores!

Lets start with some bunker shots distance tips.

The general rule is a full shot in a green side bunker goes about a third of the length of a shot from the fairway.

If you hit a sand wedge 60 Meters with a full swing at standard swing tempo, hitting the same shot from the bunker the distance of the shot will be about 20 Meters. Now try practicing full sand wedges on the fairway with slower swing speeds. Measure the distances they travel and divide the lengths by 3 and now you have full swings at different tempos for all your bunker shots.

When you're in the sand, before you decide what shot you're going to hit, make sure you take time to assess the situation.

The check list is as follows:-

How much wind is there and will it affect the shot?

How much trouble is there on the other side of the green? eg. another bunker, long grass, water etc.

Is the sand dry or wet? Visually the general rule is the darker the sand the wetter it is.

What sort of lie do you have? If it's sitting on the sand you can use a conventional sand shot or if it's buried you may have to dig it out.

Where do you want the ball to land?

Is there enough green to land on or are you better off aiming to an area of the green with less risk?

Also when you take up your stance dig your feet in to establish the depth of the sand.

Is the ball on an uphill or downhill lie?

How high is the face of the bunker?

By asking these questions you can then determine if the shot you are about to hit is safe or risky.

Safe bunker shots have the following attributes which allow you to aim at the pin:

Flat or Uphill lie

Light colored sand

Feet dug in an inch or so

No obstacles behind the pin

Plenty of green between the bunker and the pin

Low to mid height bunker face

Risky bunker shots have the following attributes and you should focus on getting the ball out of the bunker in a reasonable position for your next shot without targeting the pin.

Ball plugged or half plugged

Downhill lie

High face

Wet sand (Dark in color)

Little to no sand under foot

Hard base under sand

Water, bunker, long grass or steep embankment behind the green.

Remember, Tour Pro's only get up and down from bunkers about 50% of the time. So go in with reasonable expectations and remember you need to practice bunker shots to build your confidence and improve your game.

Bunker setup is as follows for a safe shot:

Set up the club face aiming at the target. Hips, shoulders and feet open about 20 to 25 degrees with 60% of your weight on your left side with the ball on the inside of your left heel.

Include a cupped wrist and swing along the line of your feet. Maintain your wrist angles through impact and maintain tempo through the shot.

Keep legs flexed and feel as though the ball is splashing on the sand using the flange, not digging in. If some balls are still not coming out of the sand make your swing a little more horizontal. This will help the club to skip across the sand.

Go hit 1000 balls out of the sand and then go hit another 1000 if the ball is coming out left of the target. Open up the club face until the shots are coming out where you aim or alternatively close your stance a little more.

If you are still having problems get some lessons and go hit another 1000 balls.

Quick Bunker Plugged Ball Tip:

If the ball is plugged, open the club up and lead with the heel of the club to slice in under the ball.

Quick Long Bunker Shot Tip:

For longer shots use your gap wedge as the club will have more forward thrust and with less flange the ball will carry further with less effort.

Click to leave Bunker Shots Tips and return to Quick Easy Golf Tips home page.