Greenside Bunker Shots Don't Have to Be Scary

But here's a secret that good players know: the basic greenside bunker shot can be one of the easiest shots in golf, once you understand one fundamental principle. You are not hitting the ball. You are hitting the sand.

The goal is for the club to enter the sand about two inches behind the ball and slide underneath it. The explosion of sand is what throws the ball out of the bunker and onto the green. The clubface itself never actually makes contact with the ball. Once you embrace this concept, the fear starts to go away.

Why does the dreaded dig happen in the bunker?

This is the most common bunker miss. The player takes a mighty swing, a mountain of sand flies up, but the ball rolls back down to their feet.

• What it is: The club has dug too deeply into the sand and lost all of its speed. It's a bunker "chunk."
• The Cause: This is almost always caused by using the sharp, leading edge of the club instead of the rounded sole (the "bounce"). This happens when the clubface is too square or closed at address, or when the angle of attack is too steep and punch-like. The player is trying to "dig" the ball out, and that's exactly what happens-the club digs in and stops dead.

Why does the bunker skull launch over the green?

This is the second-most-feared result. The player makes a swing, there's a click, and the ball shoots out like a rocket, flying way over the green.

• What it is: The club has hit the ball first before making contact with the sand. It's a bunker "thin" shot.
• The Cause: This is usually a reaction to the fear of digging. The player lifts their head and chest, raising the low point of the swing. It can also be caused by not committing to the shot. A slow, decelerating swing will cause the club to bounce off the top layer of sand instead of entering it, leading to it deflecting up into the equator of the ball.

How to Hit the Perfect "Splash" Shot, Every Time

Good bunker play is all about the right setup and a commitment to speed.

• Set Up for the Splash: Your setup should pre-set the conditions for a perfect bunker shot.
  1. Open the Face: Before you even take your grip, lay the clubhead on the sand and rotate the face so it's pointing well to the right of the target. Then take your normal grip. This engages the bounce.
  2. Dig Your Feet In: Wiggle your feet into the sand to create a wide, stable base. This also lowers your body, which helps ensure you hit the sand.
  3. Aim Left: To counteract the wide-open face, aim your feet, hips, and shoulders significantly to the left of your final target.
  4. Ball Position Forward: Play the ball forward in your stance, off the inside of your lead heel.
• Commit to Speed: This is non-negotiable. The sand provides a huge amount of resistance, and you need speed to power through it. Make a swing that feels like a full-length pitch shot, and make sure you accelerate all the way through to a high finish. Deceleration is the number one killer of bunker shots.
• "Thump the Sand": Your only swing thought should be to hit your spot in the sand-about two inches behind the ball-with the sole of the club. Don't think about the ball. Don't try to lift it. Just commit to splashing the sand out of the bunker and onto the green. The ball will simply go along for the ride.
• The Line Drill: The best practice drill there is. Go into a practice bunker and draw a line in the sand with your club. Set up to that line as if it were the ball. Now, practice making swings where your club enters the sand exactly on the line and creates a shallow, wide divot of sand. This will give you incredible feel and control over your low point, which is the key to great bunker play.

Control bunker distance with length and speed

This distance ladder shows how backswing length, follow-through, and rhythm fine-tune rollout.

Stop being afraid of the sand. Set up correctly, trust the design of your club, and commit to your speed. You'll be surprised at how easy it can be.

Want more sand-game context? Bounce and Grind: The Two Words on Your Wedge You Need to Understand helps you pick the sole that matches the bunker, and The Chunked Chip: How to Stop Duffing It Around the Greens keeps the strike checkpoints sharp when you leave the sand.

What's the bunker fault recap you should keep handy?

Bunker shots are a different beast. Too much sand and the ball stays in; too little and you blade it across the green. Either way, frustration sets in.

• What's Happening? Contact point is inconsistent. Unlike grass shots, in bunkers you want the low point behind the ball, splashing sand out.

• Typical Causes

• Ball too far back, digging too steep.
• Ball too far forward, blading thin.

• Stance too narrow, unstable in soft sand.

• Setup Fundamentals For standard greenside bunker shots, widen your stance slightly for stability. Position the ball slightly forward of centre, allowing the club to enter the sand just before the ball. Keep weight leaning a bit toward the lead side to control entry point. Remember - the goal is to hit the sand, not the ball directly.

• Big Picture Most bunker errors come from wrong ball position. Get that right, plus a stable wide stance, and your strike point improves immediately.

What are the quick questions golfers keep asking?

Q: Why chase the splash feel so hard in bunkers?
A: The club needs to skim, not dig. When you hear that thump and the divot flies farther than the ball, you've nailed the motion.

Q: How do you stop staring at the ball and chunking it?
A: Keep your eyes on the entry line you drew in the sand. Trust that the ball is just getting in the way of the splash.