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Learn the rules, tips and techniques of hitting out of sand traps on a golf course. Find out how to choose the right club, adjust your setup and swing, and practice bunker shots effectively.
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- What Is The Best Club to Use Out of A Bunker?
- How Do You Play A Standard Bunker Shot in Golf?
- Step 1: Open Up Your Clubface So It’S Facing Skyward
- Step 2: Widen Your Stance and Open It to Your Target Line
- Step 3: Keep The Ball Inside Your Lead Foot
- Step 4: Put 80 Percent of Your Weight on Your Lead Leg
- Step 5: Set Your Hands Low and Cock Your Wrists Early
- Step 6: Use Plenty of Speed and Keep Your Clubface Open
- Step 7: Slap The Sand Behind The Ball
- Step 8: Allow The Club to Exit Left During Follow-Through
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The best club to use in bunkers are high-lofted wedges with low bounce, such as a 56 or 60-degree wedge. The higher loft will help elevate the ball quicker, while the low bounce – preferably no more than 8 degrees – will let the club’s leading edge cut through the sand easier and stop it from bumping into the back of the ball. Before you even think...
To play a bunker shot, open your clubface so it’s flat; widen your stance and open it to your target line; position the ball inside your lead foot; keep 80 percent of your weight on your lead leg; cock your wrists early in the takeaway; swing with plenty of speed while keeping the clubface skyward; slap the sand just behind the ball; and allow the ...
The biggest error I see other amateurs make when trying to hit bunker shots is they keep their clubface too square when addressing the ball. You need to open your clubface to a point where it feels unnatural, and looks as though you’re going to strike the ball with the hosel – ideally, the clubface should be pointed straight at the sky and lie almo...
When attempting a bunker shot, you want a wide, stable base – I’d also recommend digging your feet into the sand to reduce the chances of slipping mid-swing. Your feet should be wider than shoulder width apart when hitting out of a trap, as this will help you get lower to the ground. The last thing you need to do with your set-up position is open y...
When addressing the ball, it’s important to position it around an inch or two inside your lead foot if you’re trying to hit a high, flop-like bunker blast. The farther forward the ball is, the high trajectory you will create. Similarly, if you’re trying to reduce the height of your shot, move the ball to the middle of your stance. However, I’ve fou...
Now that you’ve created a wide stance and positioned yourself so that the ball is inside your lead heel, it’s important to get 80 percent of your weight going through your lead leg. This is one of the most crucial parts to playing bunker shots well – I cannot overstate how important it is. With the ball forward in your stance, if you keep your weig...
These are two tips that really changed the way I approached hitting bunker shots and led to far better and more consistent results. If you watch some of the best bunker players in the world – like Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson or Tiger Woods – you’ll notice how low they keep their hands at address and throughout the entire swing. Doing this allows ...
Hinging your wrists early, as mentioned above, also allows you to generate plenty of speedwithout losing your shape in the swing, which is key to good bunker play. Another big mistake amateurs make – especially players who struggle to generate much clubhead speed – is swinging too slowly when attempting a bunker shot. Whether it’s caused by anxiety...
The best thing about hitting the perfect bunker shot is the ‘thump’ the club makes when striking the sand behind the ball – this is the sound you should always be striving for. How much sand you should take behind the ball depends on what shot you’re trying to hit. If you need to hit a longer bunker shot, with a lower flight, you should aim to get ...
This is a much-overlooked element to becoming a good player, but is something many amateurs do incorrectly. In their attempt to lift the ball out of the bunker, many mid-to-high handicappers will swing their club along their target line right throughout the shot. What this actually does, in many cases, is steepen the club shaft and cause the toe of...
Learn the best club to use, the 8 easy steps to hit out of any sand trap, and the drills to improve your bunker play. Find out how to avoid thinning, chunking, and blowing up your score with this comprehensive guide.
- Master Your Bunker Setup. Many golfers struggle with bunker shots due to a poor setup. Common mistakes in this setup include placing too much weight on the back foot, raising the handle too high, and misaligning the face.
- Open the Clubface for Short, High, and Soft Shots. Short bunker shots with proper height and softness require precise technique. The key lies in opening the clubface sufficiently during the backswing.
- Choose the Right Club for Long Bunker Shots. When faced with longer bunker shots, success often lies in proper club selection, rather than altering your swing technique.
- Tackle Downhill Lies with Proper Alignment. Dealing with a downhill lie in a bunker adds an extra layer of difficulty. If you’re looking for tips on how to read lies and greens, check out our recent blog post here!
Jul 17, 2022 · Learn how to hit great bunker shots with these golf sand trap tips. Find out the best club, stance, swing, and follow through for different types of bunkers.
