Are you scared of bunker shots? Do you get nervous every time your ball lands in the bunker? Fear not my friend... today we'll be going over bunker shot tips from Paddy Harrington so you can get out every time.
Understanding Bunker Shots
First, let’s clarify one thing... to be a good golfer, you don’t need to be a bunker maestro. You just need to know how to get out of the bunker. The goal is to escape the bunker, land on the green and get up and down in three shots or less.
The PGA Tour average of getting up and down in 2 shots was 52.92% in 2024. The best players in the world only get up and down half the time. So don't put too much pressure on yourself. Half of the time it's taking the best players in the world 3 shots.
Here’s a straightforward practice drill for honing your bunker shots... The key is to focus on your setup and weigh distribution, because these elements can significantly influence your strike.
- Start without a golf ball.
- Draw a line in the sand to guide your swing.
- Position your left heel slightly ahead of the line.
- Focus on striking the lead side of the line consistently.
Draw a line in the sand to practice your strike. Keep weight forward.
Bunker Practice
To practice effectively, follow these steps:
- Practice on firm sand. Too much sand can be tricky and impact your strike. It makes it difficult judge your strike and skill.
- Always aim to stay on your left side during the swing. This will helps create a steeper angle of attack, allowing your hands to naturally work under and exit inside.
- Don't lean back! Many amateurs make this mistake, which results in poor contact. You don't need to help the ball up.
Practice out of firmer sand. Too much sand can impact your strike.
Bunker Shot Technique
There are few key techniques to remember when you’re in the bunker. Before we get into those... Remember to keep positive. You don't want negative thoughts creeping in your head. The main goal is to just get it on the green.
- Stay left: Your body weight should always be on the left side (or lead side), which helps you hit the ball cleanly.
- Square or slightly open clubface: Most modern wedges don't need to be flared wide open to hit good bunker shots.
- Don't swing out to in: Think of swinging on plane and exiting down the line or slightly left (for right handed golfer).
Don't take the club outside in the backswing. This will cause you to loop it inside increasing fat shots.
Avoid These Mistakes
Make sure you start with realistic expectations. There's a good chance you're not Seve Ballesteros. So stop thinking every bunker shot needs to be tap-in range. You main goal is to get out in one shot. Don't under estimate this thinking.
Some other common mistakes to avoid with bunker shots:
- Setting up with too much tilt away from target.
- Swaying during the backswing.
- Opening the clubface too much.
- Swinging to shallow.
Greenside Bunker Tip
These are tough shots to get up and down. Most courses will not give you much green to work with, especially if they have tough pin placements.
This isn't a time to try a hero shot. Your better off playing it safe and hitting it long. Otherwise you could end up in the rough or back in the bunker.
Make sure to pick a safe landing spot that guarantees you'll be putting.
How To Practice Bunker Shots
To solidify your skills, incorporate a practice routine that includes: various exercises and techniques.
- Hitting from various lies in the bunker.
- Experimenting with different distances. Aim for common ranges like 10-20 yards.
- Get comfortable with hitting a little clean versus hitting it fat. Remember our goal is to get out of the bunker in one shot.
Bunker Shot Tips Conclusion
Improving your bunker shots doesn’t have to be daunting; however, by focusing on weight distribution, practicing on firm sand and avoiding common pitfalls, you can transform your game. Remember: your goal is to avoid big numbers and get it on the green. Pros are only getting up and down half the time. Anything inside 20 feet is a great shot for most golfers.
FAQ
Where should your weight be on a bunker shot?
The most crucial aspect is maintaining your weight on your lead side throughout the swing: this ensures a clean strike. However, many golfers struggle with this, because they often shift their weight unintentionally. Keep your weight forward.
How can I practice bunker shots at home?
Most of us don't have access to a course or practice area with a bunker. One of the best ways to practice your strike is with a Divot Board. It's one of the best training aids I have come across.
You could also practice your pitch shots and hit slightly behind the ball using the bounce. Pitch shots require you to keep most of your weight forward like a bunker shot.
Foam balls are great for home practice as well.
Should bunker shots be steep or shallow?
Most pros recommend being steeper when playing out of sand traps. When you're too shallow it cause you to hit too far behind the ball or you risk hitting it too thin.