Golf Bunker Shot Fundamentals: A Detailed Guide

Players should make it a priority to master proven bunker shot fundamentals and techniques to improve their game. One of the most challenging parts of golf is when you land in the bunker. However, if you master the various bunker shots I’ll teach you in this article, you can turn this difficulty into an advantage. A well-positioned grip, ball position and swing path are essential fundamentals golfers must utilize to become skilled bunker players. 

This article will focus on the fundamentals of bunker shot play, helping players of all levels to advance their game. I will break down several shots and demonstrate them alongside basic techniques for performing each shot. 

Fundamentals: Grip, Ball Position and Swing Path

The fundamentals of grip, swing path and ball position in golf are essential to mastering the shot. Players must have these techniques down to a tee to ensure their performance is not compromised when under pressure in tough bunker situations.

Grip 

A player’s grip determines the ball’s trajectory, often leading to poor performance in the bunker when a grip is not positioned properly. Players adopting a grip with the bottom hand underneath (strong) will result typically in a closed club face, which will cause the club to dig into the sand when executing the shot in the bunker.

Instead, players should adopt a grip with their bottom hand (right for right hand golfers) on the top of the grip (weaker position), while turning the club face open. 

The right grip and open club face enable the club to glide through the sand on impact rather than digging.

The grip is critical in ensuring the club face remains open into impact. Adopting this grip will maintain an open square club face, leading to effective shots from the bunker.

Ball Position

When performing a bunker shot, the ball should be positioned forward of center in your stance.

This ball position allows you to accurately and effectively impact the sand properly a couple inches behind the ball for the best control.

Swing Path

Once the proper grip and ball position is established, a well-defined swing path is needed to execute a bunker shot. While a swing path with a club such as a driver differs in technique depending on the type of shot you play, bunker shots require a slightly outward swing path.

For the best swing path and ball control, adopt a slightly open stance and swing along that stance line, which will promote the advantageous outward path to create the perfect sole-sliding shallow impact. 

An outward swing path is essential here – an inward, shallow swing could lead to inconsistent impact hitting too far behind the ball (chunked shots) and bladed low shots with no spin. 

Note: If you want to better visualize any of these explanations, please check out my full video course on bunker shots in the ISNation app.

Short-Sided Bunker Shots

A short-sided bunker shot requires you to hit a short shot softly with precision. This challenging shot can best be performed by ensuring the clubface is laid very open on it’s back.

To perform this shot, open the club face on its back and place the ball in the proper position—forward in stance, inside your left heel.  

Once the ball and club are in position, maintain the very open club face in the downswing and into the delivery. Swing through the shot with ample speed, ensuring a hard release upon shallow impact of the sand. The club face should be facing back at you after swinging to your finish. 

Alternatively, another method players can adopt is a “stick-the-club-in-the-sand” approach focused on a softer, more controlled shot. The shot involves striking the sand firmly and abruptly with a more square club face at impact of the sand. This method adopts a slightly decelerated dead-hand finish creating less spin and more release. The visualized landing spot is shorter.

Long Bunker Shots

On the contrary to short shots, long bunker shots require you to hit the ball further when you are  in the sand. This method requires a slightly open club face that is not fully open, unlike the short shot.

Begin by slightly opening your club face while keeping the same grip and ball position. 

Next, when in position take a wider, more neutral swing path, while carrying plenty of club head speed to a full finish. You should seek to establish a wide arc and shallower path, aiming for a shot that releases more toward your intended target-line rather than the fast-paced, abruptly re-hinged short shot creating lots of spin illustrated in the first short bunker shot method. Using a less lofted wedge also aides in creating more release and needed distance. 

Wider Swing 

The wider swing, slightly open club face and dead hands through impact allow the ball to release more after hitting the green, which is vital for gaining the distance needed for a long bunker shot.

Uphill Bunker Shot

A player’s body alignment and swing path determine the success of hitting the shot precisely and accurately on a slope or hill in a bunker. 

To perform the uphill bunker shot, players must align their bodies with the slope they are hitting from. Set your shoulders parallel to the slope’s angle and spine tilts perpendicular. This will ensure you enter the sand at the most optimum delivery angle. 

After establishing proper alignment, place the ball slightly forward in your stance compared to other shots.

As you swing, make sure your swing path follows the incline of the hill, swinging in-line with the slope and striking the sand at an optimum shallow delivery. 

This shot can be adjusted to match the angle of the slope, your aim, and where the ball is positioned based on match-up scenarios. For example, if the ball is positioned above your feet and the target is left, you must adjust your aim more to the right as the ball will naturally fly more to the left and vice-versa for the ball below your feet as it will fly more to the right for a RH golfer.

Downhill Bunker Shots

The downhill bunker shot requires opposite of the uphill shot, but requires greater control in swing due to the likelihood of the ball rolling further upon hitting the green. 

Align your body with the angle of the hill, place the ball slightly back further and ensure your clubface is open. 

Now, adopt a proper swing path by swinging down the hill, following its angle setting the club slightly more vertically in the back swing while in the delivery impact the sand at the normal shallow position. 

This shot should be planned out to land shorter and release more than the level or uphill bunker shots. 

Buried Lie Bunker Shot

A buried ball plugged into the bunker is a challenging in-game situation that players must overcome. Due to the inability to get spin on the ball, players must adopt new approaches to get the ball out of the sand, such as the buried bunker shot. 

Start by adopting a more square club face while keeping the same grip and ball position.

To perform the buried bunker shot, you must dig your club into the sand. Start by adopting a more square clubface while keeping the same grip and ball position.

Strike the sand with an aggressive, upright swing a couple of inches behind the ball, projecting the ball up and out of the bunker, allowing the leading edge to dig into the sand.

Aim to land the ball short of your target due to the ball releasing more after hitting the green.

Grasping The Basics For Proficiency 

With a specific focus on the basics of ball position, swing path and grip, combined with a detailed breakdown of various shots golfers can perform in-game, players of all abilities can learn to turn various ball placement in a bunker into an advantage on the green. 

Whether it be uphill, downhill, or buried shots, players can learn to master the bunker shot.

For a visual guide on how to perform these shots, check out my course on the ISNation App.

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