Bunkers Aren’t So Bad After All

Many golfers fear sand-traps and just that name alone evokes dread for most casual golfers however simply changing your perspective can help alleviate anxiety often associated with these shots.   

Technically they are called bunkers and it’s one of the only hazards on the course that are regularly conditioned and maintained by the golf course superintendent to play as consistent as possible. This is why many professionals would rather be in the bunker as opposed to the rough around the green.

First and foremost when you find yourself in a bunker, your goal is to simply get the ball out and onto the green.  To leave your ball in the sand is a difficult reality for golfers everywhere and one I hope to help you experience less often.  With a little practice applying these techniques, your confidence will grow and you will begin to create a ‘feel’ of how to hit better bunker shots. 

The definition of a bunker shot is a pitch shot that we intentionally chunk or hit behind the ball.  We do not want to actually hit the ball cleanly when making a bunker swing.  It is often referred to as a “splash” or “blast” shot because we splash out sand and the ball at the same time.

Set up for the bunker shot:

To start, we need to hold our club with a slightly open-club face to allow for maximum height in the shot and to ensure we utilize the design of our sand wedge. Our setup should be a good athletic position with feet shoulder width apart with a good posture as if we are going to make a full swing but with more of our weight on our forward foot.  Ball position in the bunker should be more forward in your stance like where you would position a fairway club or hybrid. 

Student Michelle Hart with proper bunker shot set-up.

Swing thoughts for the bunker shot:

The bunker swing itself is a shoulder high to shoulder high swing creating enough speed to get a fair amount of sand out of the bunker along with the ball.  You should feel as if the club is moving quickly up on the takeaway to an “L” or 90 degree position  

Correct Up-Swing Alignment

On the forward swing you are looking to create another “L”or 90 degree angle finishing about shoulder high.   

Correct Forward-Swing Alignment

I tell my students to imagine taking a bowl full of sand around the ball when making a bunker shot.  It helps keep your mind visualized on the sand around the ball rather than the ball itself.  Remember, the swing is the same as a medium length pitch shot with the sand “splashing”  the ball up and onto the green.  

Splashing sand along with the ball will get you up and out of the bunker.

With a little practice, you will begin to build a feel for using the sand to work for you and getting the ball up and out of the bunker and closer to the hole.Soon you will be looking at bunker shots in a positive light as do the Pro’s.  If you would like to arrange a bunker lesson you can email me at cvanvallier@kempersports.com or call Olivas Links at (805) 677-6770.