Simplifying Bunker Play

Playing from greenside bunkers should be a somewhat easy shot, but those of you who struggle with it might describe it otherwise. The reason I say it should be easy, or at least easier than hitting from the turf, is because you do not have to hit the golf ball. In fact, if you do, I’m sure you know the penalty. No, the idea in a bunker (greenside) is to hit the sand, not the ball. We call it a “blast shot” because you literally blast the ball out on a bed of sand. The sand can be blasted anywhere from one to three or more inches behind the ball. Now, having said it should not be difficult, I will say it is the most unique shot in golf.

Every club in the bag has loft-from three degrees for a putter to sixty or more degrees for a lob wedge. The loft is created by the back (or trailing) edge being lower than the front (or leading) edge. This part of the club is known as the “bounce” or the “flange” or the rudder. It is important that the player understands how this part of the golf club works - especially in a bunker!

In a wedge of 55 or more degrees that angle between the trailing edge and the leading edge is most pronounced (we can thank the late, great professional Gene Sarazen for this)! There can be as much as 12 degrees angle from leading edge to trailing edge. To play well from the bunkers, the bounce MUST be engaged. If it is, the bottom of the golf club will slide through the sand and not DIG INTO IT! This is the essence of good bunker play - using the BOUNCE! To engage it, we lay the club back - hands BEHIND the ball at address and OPEN the face. (This may not apply to all but generally it’s a good idea).

The setup is critical. Remember, we’re not trying to hit the ball, so we need a setup to facilitate this. You will need a much wider stance than usual, at least 60% of your weight on the left side, with the ball played off your front or “lead” foot. This position gives you the best opportunity to make the swing needed in a bunker.

The swing itself must be sufficiently steep so that your wedge might find the sand when you swing down. Remember, your weight MUST remain forward (any weight left on the back foot is sure to hit UP at the ball, not DOWN). And most importantly, the club face must start open and stay open all the way through the shot. When you finish the swing, take a good look at the club face; see that it is facing the sky!

In sum: wider stance, hands lower at address, weight left. Cup the wrist in the takeaway and release the club into the sand nice and early - DO NOT DRAG THE HANDLE! Your enemy on this shot is a closed or even square club face!!

That is for green side bunkers. A fairway bunker is an entirely different story, different shot and played very differently. The biggest difference is we do NOT hit the sand in the fairway bunker. We must contact the golf ball first, and that is more difficult. In fact, it is more difficult than hitting from the fairway or the rough. The reason for this is the shot is so much more exacting. One little kernel of sand contact before the ball is enough to miss the shot. In addition, there is often a huge lip or ridge we must hit over to execute the shot.

For THIS shot, the setup is quite different:

·       Stand taller.

·       Stand a little closer to the ball.

·       Establish a firm setting with your feet.

·       Keep the middle to a little back of your stance.

·       Choke up slightly on the golf club.

·       The swing demands a very steady body; any swaying or movement up and down will cause you to hit sand before the ball. Remember: This is a ball-first contact shot.

·       Select one more club for distance (6 iron instead of 7, for example).

·       Always consider the lip on the bunker in front of you.

·       Finally, always consider a pitch back to the fairway if the lie is poor.

Dennis Clark is a PGA Master Professional and seven-time PGA award winner, including Teacher of the Year and Golf Professional of the Year. Dennis is available for private instruction at Eagle Lakes Golf Club and will trade golf lessons for guitar lesson! He can be reached at 239-777-6043 or dennisclarkgolf@gmail.com.