The Ultimate Guide to Bunker Shots

The Ultimate Guide to Bunker Shots is a short golf blog post that looks at the golden rules of getting out of those sandy nightmares.

Although we try and keep our ball in play, to the best of our ability, there are odd occasions during a round when we manage to hit the ball into the sand.

There are many golfers that fear bunkers. They almost panic when faced with a basic bunker shot.

In reality, the bunker shot isn’t a problem. In fact, good players will be able to control a ball easier than by Pitching a ball.
I am not talking about a downhill lie or being up against the bunker lip, I am talking about a basic bunker shot.
The kind of bunker that is less than 10m away from the flag, that’s not too deep, has the right amount of sand, no stones and the ball is sat up in a good lie.

Even with this kind of scenario, I see the sweat running down some people’s faces are they stand there, praying that the ball will come out of the bunker with the first attempt.
Also hoping that the ball doesn’t shoot out like a rocket and go over the back of the green.

Well. no need to worry any longer, I am here to help you out.

There are 2 basic types of bunkers.

The first one is the basic Greenside Bunker. These tend to be deeper and close to the flag. This is where you will need to play a basic Splash Shot.

The second one is the Fairway Bunker. These are usually a lot shallower than the Greenside Bunkers. This is where you will need to play a Basic Iron Shot.

The 2 Basic Shot Types

1. The Greenside Bunker Splash Shot.

The Set-Up

The Set-Up

The first image shows the set-up.
Feet dug firmly into the sand.
Feet are ‘Open’ aiming left of the flag.
Ball position opposite the Left Foot.
Body weight favours the Left Foot.
Knees well bent helping to lower the Center of Gravity.
Hands slightly behind the ball.
Clubhead hovering above the sand.
Clubface is ‘Open’ aiming right of the flag.

The Backswing

The Backswing

This image shows the backswing.
Maintaining my stance.
Swing back until your hands and left arm are at shoulder height.
At least 90° between your left arm and the shaft of the club.
Body weight remains on the left side.

The Impact

The Impact

This position at impact is vital.
Make sure you accelerate through the sand.
Maintain a good amount of flex in the knees.
Take out a good amount of sand without making contact with the ball.
The sand will push the ball out of the bunker.

The Follow-Through

The Follow-Through

The most important part of a bunker shot is the Follow-Through.
Make sure you reach the finish position.
If you fail to make this position then your ball will probably still be in the sand.
Full body turn in the finish position.
Your body weight should still be on your left foot.
Watch your ball float through the air and onto the green before you relax.

2. The Fairway Bunker Iron Shot

The Set-Up

The Set-Up

Take a good stance by burying your feet into the sand.
Make sure that your right shoe is at an angle. (The inner side is lower than the outside)
Try to feel tall in your Set-Up.
The body weight should favour the left side.
Grip slightly lower down the shaft.

The Impact

The Impact

At Impact, your clubface should meet the ball before the sand.
The body weight should still be on the left side.
Your hands should be in front of the ball.

After Impact

After Impact

Shortly after impact the ball has left the clubface.
The clubhead continues on a shallow path through the sand. (Not as steep as the Greenside Bunker)
Maximum ball contact and minimum sand.
There is a slight closing of the clubface.

Further After Impact

Further after impact

The closing of the clubface continues as the clubhead leaves the sand.
There is much less sand taken than in the Greenside Bunker.
Body weight is still on the left foot.
Do not slow down! Swing all the way through to the finish position.

Some Golden Rules to follow when your ball is in the sand.

Bunker Golden Rules

The Better Your Lie (The higher your ball sits on the sand)…

Further forward you should position the ball in your stance.

The Worse Your Lie (The Deeper your ball sits down in the sand)…

Further back in your stance, the ball should be positioned.

The Further Forward Your Ball Position Is…

Then the more open your clubface should be.

The Further Back Your Ball Position Is…

The more you should close the clubface.

The following guidelines should also be considered when you have mastered the Bunker Golden Rules.

Bunker Shot Golden Guidelines

The More Open The Clubface…

• You should aim further left
• The shallower the club will move through the sand
• Ball flight will have a higher trajectory
• More backspin will be created
• the softer the landing will be.

The More Closed The Clubface…

• You should square up or aim right
• The deeper the club will dig into the sand
• Ball flight will have a lower trajectory
• The more your ball will roll

A Short Follow-Through

• Your ball will have less forward momentum
• The softer the shot
• More likely to still be in the sand

A Long Follow-Through

• The longer your rollout distance will be.
• Less chance of the ball staying in the Bunker.

What are your thoughts on The Ultimate Guide to Bunker Shots?

To leave a comment, Please fill out a Contact Form.

To read more of my golf blog posts, click here.