The key to playing good bunker shots near the green is to take sand. If you listen to the contact for a greenside bunker shot, you should hear the club hitting the sand but not the club hitting the ball; the sand takes the ball out of the bunker.

For many of us, the sight of a sand trap creates anxiety. If you understand the slight modifications you will make in your full swing set-up and how to use the specifically designed sand wedge, bunker play can become a strong part of your golf game. Repetition will eliminate the fear factor; it takes a little practice but it is well worth the practice.

What’s Different About the Sand Wedge

The sand wedge is the club specifically designed for use in the greenside bunker along with many short lobs and pitches around the green. It differs from other irons in that it is slightly heavier and the sole of the club is wider and angles down lower than the front edge of the club. This difference in club design makes it easier to swing through the sand.

Splash and Explosion Bunker Shots

There are two types of greenside bunker shots: the splash shot and the explosion shot. The splash shot is similar to an iron shot with a couple of set-up modifications. With the splash shot, the ball is forward in your stance and the clubface and stance are slightly open. This will help you to “hit it fat” on purpose, due to your set up and swing motion. The sand will push the ball out of the bunker and the open face, coupled with a balanced finish position, will elevate the ball. A good splash shot has height and stopping action on the green.

Explosion Bunker Shots

An explosion shot differs in the set up because the club must either swing down more steeply or dig into the sand to pop out from a buried lie or wet sand. The setup position is similar to a chip shot, using a full swing motion. The clubface position is square but slightly delofted because the ball position is back of center in your stance. This will produce a shot that will have a lower trajectory with more roll/release than the splash shot.

To keep the striking of the sand as accurate as possible, keep your shoulders a bit more level at address in your setup. This will promote more of an up and down action in your backswing, making it easier to enter the sand behind the ball. Make sure that you hit the sand onto the green (commit to the finish!), swinging smoothly and letting gravity help with speed that is necessary for this shot.

GREENSIDE BUNKER PLAY TIPS

• Level shoulders at address; this will help you hit the sand first
• Open the clubface of the sand wedge to maximize the loft and bounce of the club for a splash shot
• Use a square clubface for a buried lie or wet sand
• Open your body until the open clubface is aimed squarely at the target
• Play the ball forward in your stance of a splash shot
• Play the ball back center in your stance for an explosion shot
• Dig your feet into the sand for stability and to lower the bottom of the swing to take sand
• Hold the clubface open or square (depending on the splash or explosion shot) through the hitting area
• Make a full balanced finish just as you would in a full shot

Don’t be intimidated by bunker shots. First work at getting out of the bunker. Next work at getting on the green. Then, experiment, varying size of swing, amount of sand, or even trying different clubs for improved bunker play. In time, bunker play will become a strong part of your golf game.

With practice and confidence, this shot can be a “blast”!

Deb

Feature Photo: Minjee Lee plays out of a greenside bunker at the 2018 CME Group Tour Championship | Photo by Ben Harpring