Bunker shots don’t have to be intimidating. Many beginners struggle not because these shots are inherently tough, but because they believe common myths that lead to mistakes. Here’s the truth: bunker shots are straightforward when you focus on the basics and avoid misconceptions.
Key Takeaways:
- Myth 1: You must hit the ball first. Wrong – hit the sand first to let your wedge’s bounce lift the ball.
- Myth 2: Scooping helps. It doesn’t. Instead, strike the sand firmly with an open clubface.
- Myth 3: Complex techniques are required. Stick to proper setup – wide stance, ball forward, weight on the lead foot.
- Myth 4: Slow swings work better. No – maintain speed to counter sand resistance.
- Myth 5: Only pros can succeed. Anyone can improve with practice and a solid approach.
Focus on these basics: dig your feet in, open the clubface, and swing confidently through the sand. With practice, you’ll escape bunkers more consistently and turn them into manageable challenges rather than dreaded obstacles.
3 Golf Bunker Myths you MUST KNOW ABOUT!
1. You Must Hit the Ball First
Many beginners mistakenly treat bunker shots like fairway chips, trying to strike the ball cleanly. But in the bunker, this approach just doesn’t work.
For a successful bunker shot, your goal is to hit the sand first – not the ball. Why? The sand acts as a cushion, helping to create loft and spin. Sand wedges are specifically designed for this, with a rounded sole and bounce that let the club glide easily through the sand instead of digging too deep. This design helps reduce errors and makes escaping the bunker more consistent.
When you hit the sand first, it gives you a buffer, allowing you to swing confidently and with speed. On the other hand, trying to hit the ball directly requires near-perfect precision. A tiny mistake can lead to a weak shot that barely makes it out of the bunker – or worse, a chunked shot that buries the ball even deeper.
The sand-first technique offers more room for error. Focus on the spot where your club should enter the sand, and as long as you maintain your swing speed and follow through, the sand will do the heavy lifting. Unlike on the fairway, where you aim to compress the ball by hitting down on it, doing so in the bunker usually makes things worse. Instead, taking sand with your shot helps create the high, soft landing you need to get the ball close to the pin.
Let the sand absorb the extra speed, while your swing and follow-through provide the loft. The bounce on your wedge will glide through the sand, lifting the ball out with ease.
2. You Should Scoop the Ball Up
One common mistake beginners make in the bunker is trying to scoop the ball out. While it might seem like the right move, scooping goes against the fundamental principle of hitting the sand first.
When you scoop, you end up flipping your wrists, which ruins the wedge’s bounce. Without the bounce, the club can’t glide smoothly through the sand. Instead, the sharp edge either digs in too much or skips unpredictably across the surface.
“Never try to ‘scoop’ the ball out of the bunker. Your goal is to hit the sand behind the ball, not the ball itself.” – Paul Williamson Golf
This motion also destroys your ability to control both distance and trajectory. You might end up blading the ball, sending it flying across the green, or digging so deeply into the sand that the ball barely moves. Either way, you’re not getting closer to the hole.
To avoid this, focus on a firm, downward strike. Keep your lead wrist extended through impact – this helps keep the clubface open and makes use of the wedge’s bounce. Instead of lifting the ball, think of it as splashing through the sand.
“Instead of trying to ‘lift’ the ball, think only about splashing the sand. The bounce will glide, the loft will launch, and the ball will come out softly.” – HackMotion
Aim to hit the sand about 1–2 inches behind the ball. Let the sand do the work of carrying the ball out of the bunker. The loft built into your sand wedge will naturally lift the ball into the air – you don’t need to force it. Your job is to swing confidently and let the club’s design handle the rest.
This method not only simplifies bunker shots but also delivers much more reliable results than trying to master the tricky timing of a scooping motion. Most amateur golfers will find this approach far easier and more effective.
3. Bunker Shots Need Complex Techniques
Many golfers think bunker shots require complicated techniques, but the truth is, most struggles come down to mistakes in the basics. Mastering bunker shots isn’t about advanced tricks – it’s about nailing the fundamentals.
One of the most common issues is ball positioning. Placing the ball too far back in your stance, shifting your weight off your front foot, or letting your wrists roll during the swing can lead to disaster. If you’ve ever hit behind the ball or sent it flying thin across the green, you know how frustrating it can be. These missteps often make bunker shots feel harder than they really are.
The key to success lies in proper speed and wrist positioning. If your wrists collapse or the club’s leading edge digs into the sand, you’re setting yourself up for trouble. But instead of overthinking, focus on a simple, stable setup.
Here’s how to get started: take a wide stance and dig your feet firmly into the sand for stability. Position the ball forward in your stance, near your lead heel. Keep your weight primarily on your front foot throughout the swing. Before gripping your wedge, open the clubface slightly – this allows the club’s bounce (the rounded bottom edge) to glide through the sand rather than dig in.
When it comes to the swing, two things matter most: a solid wrist hinge on the backswing and a committed follow-through. Hinge your wrists as you take the club back, and swing through the sand with confidence and speed. Aim to strike about an inch behind the ball, trusting your wedge’s design to lift the ball out of the bunker.
Maintaining lead wrist extension through impact is another critical piece. Keeping your front wrist firm prevents the clubface from closing or losing loft. Pair this with an open clubface and enough speed, and the bounce will do its job, sliding smoothly under the ball and launching it softly onto the green.
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4. You Should Slow Down Your Swing
Let’s clear up a common misconception: the idea that you need to slow down your swing in the bunker. This belief can actually work against you.
Here’s the truth: slowing your swing in a bunker can make it much harder to get the ball out. Sand naturally reduces the clubhead’s speed, so bunker shots require more swing speed to build enough momentum to escape the trap.
Instead of easing up, focus on maintaining a smooth, steady, and confident swing. This will help counter the resistance of the sand and give your shot the power it needs to clear the bunker effectively.
5. Only Pros Can Hit Good Bunker Shots
This might be one of the most discouraging myths out there. Many beginners assume that only tour pros can handle bunker shots well, so they often give up before they even try.
The truth? Hitting good bunker shots isn’t reserved for the elite. It’s about mastering the basics and practicing with focus. Bunker play does require technical skill and a bit of mental grit, but these are things anyone can develop with time and effort. You don’t need years of professional training to consistently escape sand traps.
What separates struggling amateurs from confident bunker players isn’t raw talent – it’s mindset. Skilled bunker players don’t see sand traps as punishments; they see them as opportunities to showcase their short-game skills. When you stop viewing bunkers as disasters and start seeing them as manageable challenges, your approach – and your results – begin to change.
For beginners, it’s important to set realistic goals. Your first priority in a greenside bunker should be to simply get the ball out of the sand and onto the green. Forget about trying to hole out from 30 yards away. Just focus on giving yourself a reasonable putt. This shift in perspective lays the foundation for meaningful practice and builds confidence over time.
Confidence grows through structured practice. Work on shots from all kinds of lies – uphill, downhill, sidehill, buried, and even perfect lies. Practice both soft, short shots and longer ones that roll out. This variety mimics real course conditions and helps you feel prepared for anything the sand throws at you.
Want to take it up a notch? Add some pressure to your practice. Set goals for yourself, like hitting five balls within 10 feet of the hole, and track your up-and-down percentage. These focused practice sessions not only improve your skills but also prove to you that consistent bunker play is achievable.
Finally, don’t underestimate the mental side of the game. Develop a solid pre-shot routine: assess the lie and distance, visualize the shot you want, commit fully to that vision, trust your technique, and make an assertive swing. This approach works for golfers of all levels and can make a huge difference in your consistency and confidence.
Setup and Technique Checklist
Let’s break down the essentials for reliable bunker shots. These straightforward steps show that bunker play doesn’t have to be overly complicated.
First, widen your stance by at least 6 inches. Your feet should be positioned farther apart than usual – around 6 inches more – to create a stable base. This wider stance minimizes lower body movement and prevents the club from digging too deeply into the sand, giving you a solid foundation for your swing.
Next, shift 60–70% of your weight onto your lead foot (your left foot if you’re right-handed) and keep it there throughout the swing. Some instructors even suggest going as high as 80% forward weight for extra stability. This weight distribution encourages a downward strike through the sand, rather than trying to scoop the ball. It’s a simple adjustment that sets you up for better ball and club interaction.
Bend your knees deeply and dig your feet into the sand until your shoes are nearly buried. This lowers your center of gravity and ensures the bottom of your swing arc hits the right spot. By doing this, you’re setting yourself up to take just the right amount of sand behind the ball.
Once your stance and weight are sorted, focus on ball position and clubface alignment. Position the ball just inside your front heel, slightly forward in your stance. Then, open your clubface so the grooves point toward your lead foot or slightly right of your target. This open clubface uses the bounce of the club to glide through the sand instead of digging in.
Keep the shaft angle neutral, with the butt of the club pointing toward your belly button, preserving the club’s natural loft and bounce. Let your hands hang naturally or lower them by 1–2 inches from their usual position. Avoid pressing your hands forward, as this can compromise the club’s effectiveness in the sand.
Finally, for right-handed golfers, align your feet about 30° left of your target. This alignment helps you create the correct swing path, while the open clubface ensures the ball travels accurately.
To recap: dig your feet in, open the clubface, position the ball forward, shift your weight onto your front foot, widen your stance, bend your knees, and swing confidently. Stick to this routine, and you’ll notice a big improvement in your bunker shots.
Conclusion
Let go of these five myths, and you can turn bunker shots from a source of stress into an opportunity for confidence. The key? Keep it simple. Focus on the core fundamentals we’ve discussed, and trust the process.
Bunker shots aren’t about flashy techniques or tricks. They’re built on basics: make contact with the sand first, let the club’s bounce do the work, and maintain a steady, confident swing tempo. Stick to your setup checklist, and you’ll have a reliable foundation for success. These principles aren’t just for elite players – they’re for anyone willing to practice.
Take these fundamentals to your next practice session or round. Many golfers notice a real difference in just a few sessions once they move past the myths and focus on the right approach. With consistent practice, you’ll see those improvements carry over from the practice bunker to the course.
Confidence grows with each successful shot. Keep practicing, stay consistent, and watch your bunker game transform as you refine your skills and build trust in your fundamentals. Every shot is a step closer to mastery.
FAQs
Why should you hit the sand before the ball in a bunker shot?
Hitting the sand before the ball is crucial for a solid bunker shot. This approach lets the club slide through the sand smoothly, gently lifting the ball out. By aiming to strike the sand roughly an inch behind the ball, you can take advantage of the club’s bounce, preventing it from digging in too much. This method gives you better control and helps you consistently get the ball out of the bunker and onto the green.
What are the most common setup mistakes beginners make in the bunker, and how can they fix them?
Beginners often find bunkers intimidating, and it’s usually due to two common setup mistakes: placing the ball incorrectly and not adjusting the clubface properly. When the ball is too far back in your stance, you risk either hitting too much sand or barely any at all. On the other hand, keeping the clubface too square reduces loft, making it much harder to get the ball airborne and out of the bunker.
Here’s how to fix it: position the ball slightly forward in your stance, closer to your front foot. This adjustment helps you strike the sand before the ball, creating the lift and trajectory you need. Before gripping the club, rotate the clubface open to add loft – this small tweak can significantly improve your chances of a clean escape. Finally, consider using a lofted club, like a 60-degree wedge, to make consistent bunker shots easier to execute.
What are the best ways to practice bunker shots and improve your confidence?
To get better at bunker shots and feel more confident, it’s all about nailing the basics. Start by slightly opening the clubface and working on a smooth swing that hits the sand just behind the ball. This technique helps you achieve the proper lift and trajectory.
You can also try some helpful drills, like swinging with one arm to develop a natural rhythm or focusing on keeping your wrist hinge relaxed for better control. Practicing these methods regularly can make bunker shots feel more predictable and less intimidating, so you can tackle them with confidence on the course.
