Bunker Play Golf Tips: Instruction Videos

The greenside bunker shot is fundamentally different from every other shot in the game. The objective is not to hit the ball. You hit the sand, and the sand moves the ball. Golfers who approach a bunker like a chip shot consistently fail because of this. Understanding where to aim, how much sand to take, and how to use the club's bounce is the foundation of reliable sand play. These principles apply whether you are dealing with a flat lie, a plugged ball, or a steep face.

StackingBirdies has gathered bunker instruction from coaches who make the physics clear and the technique practical. If short game shots outside the bunker are also costing strokes, the Short Game section covers chipping, pitching, and the awkward in-between distances.

Quick Reference

Bunker Technique by Lie Type

Different lies require different techniques. Use this when the lie does not match a standard greenside shot.

Lie	Approach	Key adjustment	Common mistake
Standard (clean) lie	Normal splash shot; club enters 2 inches behind the ball	Open face and stance; splash through the sand without decelerating	Trying to help the ball up; decelerating through impact
Fried egg (partially buried)	Squarer face; steeper entry; hit closer to the ball	Close the face slightly at address; aim for just behind the ball	Using an open face as if it were a standard lie; the ball stays buried
Plugged (fully buried)	Steep, aggressive entry; minimal follow-through; dig with the leading edge	Square or slightly closed face; no follow-through; accept the outcome	Trying to splash as with a normal lie; insufficient digging action
Wet or firm sand	Shallower swing; less bounce; more precision on the entry point	Reduce sand depth; ball position slightly forward; avoid bounce-skipping	Taking too much sand; club bounces off firm sand and skulls the shot
Long bunker (30-50 yards)	Near-normal pitch; take much less sand; treat almost like a fairway shot	Square face; entry point just behind the ball; more like a pitch than a splash	Using greenside technique; too much sand; ball falls well short

Sand Play

Bunker Play

Common Questions

Frequently Asked

Where should I aim when hitting a bunker shot?

For a standard greenside bunker shot, aim the clubface at the target, then align your body (feet, hips, shoulders) slightly open to the left of the target line. This promotes the outside-in swing path needed to slide the club under the ball through the sand. Aim for a spot in the sand approximately two inches behind the ball, not at the ball itself.

Why do I blade bunker shots?

Blading a bunker shot usually means you are either hitting too close to the ball or the leading edge is striking the ball directly. The most common cause is excessive tension in the hands and arms, which prevents the club from sliding under the ball. A relaxed grip and a focus on splashing sand at the entry point eliminates most blade shots.

How much sand should I take in a bunker shot?

The club should enter the sand two to three inches behind the ball and exit a few inches in front of it, displacing a shallow divot of sand. Taking too little sand is the usual amateur error. Most golfers are surprised by how much sand is correct. The ball rides out on the cushion of displaced sand rather than being struck directly.

Bunker Play

Bunker Technique by Lie Type

Bunker Play

Frequently Asked

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