How to Hit Bunker Shots: The Complete Guide

Few shots in golf intimidate amateurs more than the dreaded bunker shot. But here’s the secret: with the right setup and swing technique, greenside bunker shots can actually be some of the easiest in golf—because you don’t even need to hit the ball!

This guide will break down exactly how to hit bunker shots step by step, plus drills and strategies to help you escape the sand with confidence.

Why Bunker Shots Scare Most Golfers

A bunker shot feels unnatural because:

• You’re not supposed to hit the ball first.

• The sand changes lie consistency.

• Many players decelerate or scoop, leaving it in the trap.

Once you learn the basics, though, you’ll realize the sand is your friend—it helps control distance and spin.

How to Hit Bunker Shots

Step 1: Setup for Success

Your bunker setup is half the battle. Get this right and the swing gets easier.

• Stance: Feet shoulder-width apart, dig them into the sand for stability.

• Ball Position: Forward in your stance (off left heel for right-handers).

• Clubface: Open the face before you grip it—this adds loft and bounce.

• Weight: 60% on your lead foot, keep it there throughout the swing.

• Hands: Slightly behind the ball, not pressed forward.

Key Thought: The club should glide under the ball using the bounce, not dig.

Step 2: The Swing

Unlike other shots, you don’t hit the ball—you hit the sand behind the ball.

• Focus Point: Imagine a dollar bill under the ball. Your club should enter the sand where George Washington’s face would be (about 1–2 inches behind the ball).

• Takeaway: Hinge wrists early, creating a steeper angle of attack.

• Impact: Hit the sand behind the ball with speed. The sand lifts the ball out.

• Follow-Through: Accelerate through the sand; don’t stop or scoop.

Swing thought: “Splash the sand out of the bunker.”

Step 3: Distance Control

Distance from the bunker comes from swing length and speed, not hitting harder at the ball.

• Longer backswing = more sand displaced = more distance.

• Shorter backswing = softer shot.

• Always keep acceleration; never decelerate.

Step 4: Special Bunker Situations

Fried Egg (Plugged Lie)

• Square the face (less loft).

• Chop down steeply behind the ball.

• Expect lower flight and more rollout.

Hard Sand

• Don’t open the face too much (risk of blading).

• Use less bounce, square the face, and hit closer to the ball.

Fluffy Sand

• Open the face wider.

• Use more bounce to prevent digging too deep.

Bunker Drills to Build Confidence

Drill 1: Dollar Bill Drill

Draw a rectangle (size of a dollar bill) in the sand with a ball in the front half. Practice hitting the sand in the rectangle without worrying about the ball.

Drill 2: No Ball Drill

Hit bunker shots without a ball—just splash sand onto the green. This builds confidence in accelerating through impact.

Drill 3: Line in the Sand Drill

Draw a straight line in the sand. Practice swinging to enter the sand just in front of the line. Drop a ball on that spot once you’re consistent.

Best Clubs for Bunker Shots

• Sand Wedge (54°–56°) – Designed for bunkers with extra bounce.

• Lob Wedge (58°–60°) – Great for soft sand and short-sided shots.

• Gap Wedge (50°–52°) – Better for longer bunker shots.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Fear the Bunker

When you learn the proper setup and trust that the sand will do the work, bunker shots become one of the simplest parts of your game.

• Open the face

• Hit the sand, not the ball

• Accelerate through impact

• Practice splash drills

Do that, and you’ll escape the sand every time—maybe even start to enjoy bunker shots.