15 Step Process for Improving Greenside Bunker Shots

Article by Herb Rubenstein, PGA

Introduction

There is a great learning curve to hitting consistently good bunker shots. The first rule is to swing smoothly and practice, practice in bunkers with sand of all types. Soft sand is completely different from either hard pan or only having a little sand under your ball. This article gives you 15 suggestions on how to improve your bunker shots. Implement one at a time and hit a few only adding one additional element to how you hit bunker shots.

At the end of any bunker session, just stop thinking and hit some bunker shots always picking a precise target (aim and distance) and trajectory for the shot you want to hit.

1. More weight left. 80%. Wide stance. Relaxed, easy going approach is essential. Right knee kicks in gently towards the ball triggers the beginning of the swing. Do not start swing with hands or arms. Shoulders rotate with body to make this swing smooth, the key to sand shots.

2. Soften right hand grip (which made me floppy at the top of the backswing, but firm left hand

3. Goal: Dollar bill size divot, and not very deep.

4. Left hand is in a very, very strong position and right hand is in a very, very weak position to promote the flipping of the wrists.

5. Take the club a little inside to have a flatter swing.

6. Cock your head to the right. Look at the sand behind the ball where you want the club to enter. Very soft focus. Never follow the club back with your eyes. Keep head down through follow through.

7. Choke up (or “grip down’) on the club almost to the shaft.

8. Hands very low and close to the body. Maybe just above knee height. And Shaft is leaning away from the target by an inch or two to promote the club head passing the hands during the swing.

9. Blade wide open except for buried lies. Goal – hit the sand with the back of the bottom of the club, the bounce and have club skate or cut through the sand, never dig.

10. Move ball out toward the blade and away from the hosel. Stand farther away. Ball is played off the left heel. Head stays back throughout the swing.

11. More weight on heels at address and throughout swing. Left foot does not move at all during at any point during the swing.

12. 20 degree anterior pelvic tilt at address (normal) - no extension of pelvis during swing. Stay in position.

13. Pretty full backswing wedge (3/4) and smooth swing. Do not rush it down to the ball. Let gravity start the downswing keeping your right heel on the ground for stability and to ensure you do not move your body forward towards the target during the swing.

14. Torso rotation moves the club head after the downswing starts via gravity.

15. Clubhead bottoms out in the middle of the stance naturally, under the sternum and by the time it reaches the ball it is moving upward naturally.

Conclusion

Bunker play separates the three handicappers from the scratch golfers. It is always a great idea to get one or more bunker lessons from a qualified golf instructor. Also, as I do, go on the beach with 20 golf balls, targets to put in the ground at 10, 15 and 20 yards and alternate hitting shots to each target. Be sure to aim in a direction where there are no people on the beach and early mornings and very late afternoons are the best for going on a beach to practice your greenside bunker shots.