The bunker shot has a fearsome reputation it doesn't quite deserve. Once you understand what you're actually trying to do — which is not hit the ball at all — the shot becomes much more manageable.
The Key Concept: You Don't Hit the Ball
Unlike every other shot in golf, a greenside bunker shot doesn't require direct contact with the ball. You're hitting the sand behind and beneath the ball, and the sand carries it out. This is why closing the face or trying to scoop the ball almost always makes things worse.
Set Up for Success
Get your setup right and the swing almost takes care of itself:
Stance and feet:
- Open your feet to the left of the target (for right-handed players) — roughly 20 to 30 degrees
- Dig your feet slightly into the sand for stability; this also tells you how deep the sand is
- Position the ball forward in your stance, inside your left heel
The club:
- Open the clubface before you take your grip — turn it clockwise so the face points slightly right of target
- With an open face, the leading edge lifts and the wide sole does the work through the sand
Weight:
- Set about 60% of your weight on your front foot and keep it there throughout
The Swing
- Pick your entry point — aim to enter the sand approximately two inches behind the ball
- Make a full swing — this is not a gentle tap; commit to a proper swing with a full follow-through
- Follow through high — your hands should finish above your front shoulder; if you stop at the ball, the shot dies in the sand
- Keep the face open through impact — don't rotate the forearms over as you would with a full iron shot
Draw a line in the sand two inches behind the ball during practice rounds (not in competition — that's a penalty). Practise entering the sand at that line and watching the ball pop out. Once the contact point becomes instinctive, the technique clicks.
The Most Common Mistakes
Decelerating through impact. Slowing down before you reach the sand is the single most common reason for leaving the ball in the bunker. Commit to the swing.
Hitting too close to the ball. Trying to pick it cleanly produces thin, skulled shots that fly the green. Trust the technique — enter the sand behind the ball.
A closed or square face. A square face makes the leading edge dig rather than glide. Open the face before you grip the club and keep it open through the shot.
Not enough loft to clear the lip. In a bunker with a steep face, take extra loft and extra swing. There's no shame in playing sideways out of a deep bunker.
Fairway Bunkers: A Different Shot
A fairway bunker calls for a different approach. The goal here is clean contact with the ball — not sand first:
- Choose a club with enough loft to clear the lip easily (a 9-iron when a 5-iron won't clear it is still progress)
- Choke down slightly on the grip for control
- Take a slightly narrower stance
- Keep weight even and focus on striking the ball first, before the sand
Distance is secondary to getting out. Take one club less than you think you need for loft, swing within yourself, and move on.
Get Dedicated Coaching
Bunker play is the area where a single lesson delivers the biggest return. A PGA professional can watch your setup and swing, identify the specific adjustment that's causing problems, and have you playing out of sand confidently within an hour.
Browse golf lesson vouchers on Swyng or use our Gift Finder to find the right session.
See also: how to chip in golf, how to pitch in golf, common golf mistakes.
Founder & Tour Professional
Sandeep Grewal is a former tour professional and the founder of Swyng. He personally handles every booking and redemption, using his competitive background to match you with the right course, lesson, or experience. About Sandeep →
