How to Hit Bunker Shots
A Complete Guide to Escaping the Sand with Confidence
Learn the Proper Technique, Setup, and Practice Drills to Get Up and Down More Often
Bunker shots intimidate many golfers.
For some, simply seeing a greenside bunker creates anxiety before they even swing.
The good news?
Bunker shots are much easier than most golfers think.
Unlike a normal golf shot, you’re not trying to hit the golf ball first. Instead, you’re using the bounce of the wedge to splash the sand onto the green, carrying the ball with it.
Once you understand the correct technique, bunker shots become one of the easiest parts of your short game.
At Golf Gear Authority, we’ve studied the methods used by PGA Tour professionals and top short-game instructors to help golfers escape the sand consistently and confidently.
Why Bunker Shots Are Different
Most golf shots require clean contact with the ball.
Bunker shots require something completely different.
The club should enter the sand 1–2 inches behind the golf ball, allowing the sand—not the clubface—to propel the ball out of the bunker.
Once you trust the sand to do the work, bunker shots become much less intimidating.
1. Choose the Right Wedge
The easiest bunker club is usually:
- Sand Wedge (54°–56°)
- Lob Wedge (58°–60°) for higher shots
The key is using a wedge with enough bounce to glide through the sand instead of digging.
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2. Open the Clubface
One of the biggest mistakes golfers make is keeping the clubface square.
Instead:
- Open the clubface before taking your grip.
- This increases bounce.
- It also helps launch the ball higher.
Opening the face helps the club slide through the sand instead of digging.
3. Set Up with a Wider Stance
A stable base is essential.
Your setup should include:
- Feet wider than shoulder width
- Knees slightly flexed
- Weight slightly favoring your lead foot
- Dig your feet into the sand for stability
A wider stance promotes balance throughout the swing.
4. Position the Ball Forward
Unlike most chip shots, bunker shots require the ball to be positioned farther forward.
For right-handed golfers:
- Place the ball just inside your lead heel.
- Keep your hands neutral—not pressed excessively forward.
This helps the club enter the sand at the proper point.
5. Hit the Sand, Not the Ball
This is the most important concept in bunker play.
Aim to enter the sand approximately 1–2 inches behind the ball.
The sand carries the ball out.
If you hit the ball first, you’ll likely blade it across the green.
6. Accelerate Through the Sand
Many golfers slow down because they’re afraid of hitting the ball too far.
Instead:
- Make a committed swing.
- Accelerate through the sand.
- Finish your swing completely.
A decelerating swing often leaves the ball in the bunker.
Confidence is critical.
7. Finish High
A complete follow-through helps ensure the club continues moving through the sand.
Your finish should include:
- Chest facing the target
- Weight on your lead foot
- Club finishing high
A full finish usually produces a better splash of sand.
8. Practice Different Sand Conditions
Not all bunkers are the same.
Practice from:
- Soft sand
- Firm sand
- Wet sand
- Fluffy sand
Learning how different conditions affect bounce will prepare you for any course.
9. Learn to Control Distance
Many golfers focus only on getting out of the bunker.
The next step is controlling how far the ball travels.
Distance is controlled primarily by:
- Length of backswing
- Speed through impact
- Amount of sand taken
Practice hitting to targets at different distances.
10. Practice Regularly
Bunker play is largely about confidence.
Even 15 minutes of focused bunker practice each week can dramatically improve your results.
A simple routine:
- 10 short bunker shots
- 10 medium bunker shots
- 10 high soft shots
- Finish with an up-and-down challenge
Consistency comes from repetition.
Common Bunker Mistakes
Trying to Scoop the Ball
Trust the loft of the club.
Keeping the Clubface Square
Open the face to use the bounce.
Decelerating
Commit to the shot.
Standing Too Narrow
A wider base creates stability.
Hitting the Ball First
Always enter the sand behind the ball.
Best Wedges for Bunker Play
Best Overall
Titleist Vokey SM10
Best Full-Face Design
Cleveland RTX Full-Face 2
Best Feel
Callaway Opus
Best Value
TaylorMade MG4
15-Minute Bunker Practice Routine
5 Minutes
Practice entering the sand 1–2 inches behind the ball.
5 Minutes
Hit bunker shots to three different targets.
5 Minutes
Play an up-and-down challenge:
- One bunker shot
- One putt
- Repeat from different lies.
Purposeful practice builds confidence much faster than simply hitting bucket after bucket of bunker shots.
Final Tips
If you want to become a better bunker player:
✔ Open the clubface.
✔ Use the bounce of the wedge.
✔ Hit the sand behind the ball.
✔ Accelerate through impact.
✔ Finish your swing.
✔ Practice from different sand conditions.
Remember: you’re swinging through the sand—not trying to pick the ball cleanly.
Final Verdict
Greenside bunkers don’t have to cost you strokes.
By mastering a few simple fundamentals—proper setup, an open clubface, using the bounce, and committing to the swing—you can turn one of golf’s most intimidating shots into one of your biggest strengths.
With regular practice and the right wedge, you’ll start getting out of the sand more consistently, hitting shots closer to the hole, and saving more pars.
