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Speaking of Traps… Bunkers 101

There are 3 basic “methods” to hitting a basic bunker shot*:

Since we are contacting the sand and not the ball, the ball position should be 1-2” forward of center (depending on the sand’s condition).

1.  “Regular swing” 

  • Ball position = 1-2” forward of center.
  • Take your regular FULL swing while entering the sand 1-2” behind the ball.  
  • Remember to commit to a complete finish since the sand will take a lot of the energy, and we need to “blast” the ball out of the bunker.

2.“Front-loading”

  • Ball position = 1-2” forward of center.
  • At set-up, lean/put 60%+ of your weight on your left/front leg at address.
  • Take your regular swing while entering the sand 1-2” behind the ball also committing to a full finish position.

3. “Old-school/Chicken scratch”

  • Ball position = 1-2” forward of center. Open your club-face.
  • Open your stance an equal amount as the club face.
  • Take a steeper/outside backswing path.
  • The downswing path should match the backswing path.
  • Feel as though you are swinging to the target while your right hand “slides” under the ball. (Please note, this is a very subjective experience!)
  • Commit to a full finish position if the sand’s conditions require.

*There are many other creative and technical ways to hit a bunker shot.  These are simply the basics that I have found to be the least risky, and most effective.

Above all, view a bunker shot as an opportunity to be courageous. Our fearless mindset influences the outcome and success rate more often than technical skills.

Dodie Mazzuca is the author of “Seamless Golf,” “Golf Sūtras,” “Daily Golf Tap-Ins,” and is the founder of Golf PROformance LLC. She teaches golf lessons, golf schools, and performance coaching in Santa Cruz, CA and Reno, NV.

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