Learning how to hit a bunker shot is mostly about trusting one odd idea: you never actually hit the ball. Instead, you hit the sand behind it, and the sand carries the ball onto the green. This guide walks through the setup, the swing, a simple practice drill and the habits that keep you from leaving the ball in the sand twice.
Who this guide is for
This guide suits beginners who freeze up in greenside bunkers, and it also suits higher-handicap players who get out sometimes but never with confidence. It covers the standard splash shot from a decent lie in a greenside bunker. Plugged lies, fairway bunkers and very wet or very firm sand each need their own adjustments, so treat those as a separate topic. If anything in your body hurts while you practise, stop and rest.
Why the splash method works
A sand wedge has a rounded, wide sole that tends to bounce off the sand rather than dig into it. When you open the face a little, that sole becomes even more useful. As a result, the club can slide under the ball, throw a layer of sand forward and let the ball ride out on that cushion.
This is why many coaches who explain how to hit a bunker shot call it a sand shot, not a ball shot. You are aiming at a spot in the sand. Once you accept that, the whole move feels less scary, because you no longer have to make perfect contact with the ball itself.
How to hit a bunker shot: the setup
Most bunker problems start before the club moves. Work through these steps each time you step into the sand.
- Open the clubface first. Turn the face so it points a little to the right of the target (for a right-handed golfer), and then take your grip. If you grip first and twist your hands, the face tends to close again during the swing.
- Open your stance a little. Aim your feet and hips slightly left of the target. This open stance balances the open face, so the ball still starts roughly toward the flag.
- Wiggle your feet into the sand. Settle your feet in until you feel stable. This lowers your body slightly, which helps the club travel under the ball.
- Play the ball a little forward of centre. A forward ball position gives the club room to enter the sand before it reaches the ball.
- Flex your knees a bit more than usual. Then keep that height through the swing. Many teachers call this “staying down” through the shot.
- Keep your weight slightly toward your lead side. This helps you avoid swaying back and hitting too far behind the ball.
- Hover the club above the sand. The official Rules of Golf has guidance about touching the sand before your stroke, so it is simplest to keep the club just above it.
Entering the sand behind the ball on a bunker shot
Now pick your entry spot. Look at a point in the sand just behind the ball rather than at the ball itself. That spot is your real target.
Next, make a fairly full, relaxed backswing. Bunker shots need more speed than most golfers expect, because the sand slows the club down. A short, timid swing is often why a ball stays in the bunker.
During the downswing, try to drive the club into your chosen spot. Keep your eyes on that spot, not the ball. Also, try to keep your chest moving toward the target rather than leaning back to “lift” the ball out. Leaning back usually leads to a thin shot that flies over the green.
Splashing the sand out and following through
Here is the part that makes the shot work. After the club enters the sand, keep it moving. Picture a shallow, shoe-shaped scoop of sand flying forward onto the green with the ball sitting on top of it.
- Accelerate through the sand. Slowing down at impact is a common cause of a ball that pops up and drops back in.
- Keep the face looking at the sky. Try to finish with the clubface still pointing upward rather than rolling over. This keeps the loft and the bounce working for you.
- Finish your swing. Turn your body toward the target and let your arms swing to a full finish. A complete follow-through is a good sign that you kept the speed up.
- Control distance with swing length. In general, a longer swing throws more sand and the ball farther. A shorter swing sends it a shorter way. Try a few lengths in practice and see how the ball reacts.
Practice drills for how to hit a bunker shot
The quickest way to learn how to hit a bunker shot is repetition. These drills need only a practice bunker and a wedge.
The line in the sand drill
- Draw a straight line in the sand with your club, running across your stance.
- Without a ball, make swings that enter the sand right on the line or just after it.
- Check where each scoop of sand starts. Your aim is to strike the line every time, with the sand flying forward.
- Once you hit the line consistently, place a ball just ahead of the line and repeat the same swing.
The splash target drill
Next, pick a spot on the grass beyond the bunker lip. Without a ball, try to splash sand onto that spot with each swing. This trains you to throw enough sand forward. Then add a ball and keep the same feeling.
The ladder drill
Finally, choose three targets on the practice green: near, middle and far. Hit a few balls to each, and change only the length of your swing. This builds a feel for distance without changing your setup.
A quick example
This example is hypothetical and is here only to illustrate the process. Picture a golfer whose ball sits cleanly in a greenside bunker with a modest lip and the flag in the middle of the green. She opens the face, takes her grip, opens her stance a little and works her feet into the sand. She looks at a spot just behind the ball, makes a smooth, full swing, and finishes facing the target. The sand sprays onto the green, and the ball rolls out to a putting distance. Her only thought was “hit the spot and finish,” and that simple focus is what kept the swing moving.
Common mistakes and what to try
Even when you know how to hit a bunker shot, a few misses tend to creep back in. Use this table to match the result to a likely fix.
| Problem | Likely cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Ball stays in the bunker | Swing slows down at impact | Make a fuller swing and focus on a complete finish |
| Ball flies over the green | Club hits the ball before the sand | Pick a spot behind the ball and keep your eyes on it |
| Club digs deep and stops | Face too closed or weight falling back | Open the face before gripping and keep your chest moving toward the target |
| Ball goes right of the target | Face opened but stance still square | Open your stance a little more to match the face |
| Inconsistent results | Swaying or rising during the swing | Settle your feet, flex your knees and stay at the same height |
If the same miss keeps showing up, a lesson with a PGA professional can check your setup and entry point quickly.
Simple raking etiquette
Once you are out, leave the bunker the way you would want to find it. Courses vary in their local habits, but these general points apply almost everywhere.
- Enter and leave the bunker from the low side, near your ball, so you leave fewer footprints.
- Carry the rake in with you, so you do not have to walk back across the sand.
- Smooth your footprints and the area where you played, working backward as you leave.
- Pull the sand gently rather than pushing it all to one side.
- Return the rake to wherever your course asks you to leave it.
For questions about what you may or may not do in a bunker, check the official Rules of Golf.
For more short game basics, browse our golf lessons.
Where to read more: Golf.com line in the sand drill, Golf.com bunker tips, Golf Monthly bunker shot tips.
Key takeaways
- Open the face first, then grip, then open your stance to match.
- Aim at a spot in the sand behind the ball, not at the ball.
- Swing with more speed than feels natural and always finish.
- Use the line in the sand drill to train a consistent entry point.
- Rake your footprints and leave the bunker smooth for the next group.
Once you trust the sand to do the work, knowing how to hit a bunker shot turns a scary bunker into just another short game shot.
Written by the Golf Luxor Editorial desk. Disclosure: this guide contains no affiliate or sponsored links.