subject: Know how to play golf bunker shots [print this page] Greenside Bunker Shot Golf Tips Greenside Bunker Shot Golf Tips
1. When setting up for the golf bunker shot, set up with your weight 60/40 favoring the left sidemaintain throughout the swing.
2. Use sand wedgeopen the clubface and open your stance (with clubface facing target). If the sand feels soft underneath your feet, open the clubface a little more. If the sand feels firm, open the club face a little less.
3. Setup so that the ball is forward from center in your stance.
4. Hit sand 2 inches behind ball. Keep left arm straight and control shot with body rotation, not arms, ensuring that you rotate fully through the shot.
Fairway Bunker Shot Golf Tips
1. Grip down on club 1 inch. Take one more club than usual (i.e., a "5-iron" instead of "6-iron") but make sure you have enough loft to clear the lip of the bunker.
2. Distribute weight evenly at address
3. Position body so that ball is in the middle of the stance.
4. Stand "taller" at address to avoid striking the sand first.
5. Swing smoothly and strike the ball cleanly.
Do not be intimated by golf bunker shots. Just remember that golf bunker shots take a special kind of set up and once that set up is achieved, they are as easy as hitting a pitch shot. If you want to practice golf bunker shots, one effective golf bunker shot drill to try at your practice facility is to assume bunker shot address without the ball, then "splash" the sand out of the bunker taking a long, narrow sand divot. Repeat this drill 3 to 5 times, then try the drill with a golf ball. You will be amazed at how well you execute your golf bunker shot!
