Whether you’re playing 18 after heavy rain or grinding it out at your local muni where the bunkers feel more like concrete than sand, dealing with firm bunkers is just part of the game, and learning how to navigate them is essential.
With four keys from GOLF Teacher to Watch, Parker McLachlin, you can master compact, sandy lies and increase your chances of making an up-and-down for par.
1. Open the clubface, lower your hands
According to McLachlin — also known as Short Game Chef — the first step to getting out from these firm, intimidating lies is to open the clubface and lower your hands.
“I want to provide more engagement with this heel,” McLachlin says, “The heel is going to dig underneath this firm and compact sand.”
2. Stand farther away and set your weight forward
Standing farther away allows you to shallow out your swing arc and prevents you from hitting too far behind the ball or taking too much sand. Setting your weight forward ensures your club bottoms out in the right spot and can even reduce the chances of your club bouncing or skipping off the hard-packed sand.
3. Neutral shaft position
Keeping a neutral shaft position allows you to maintain an open clubface and utilize the bounce of your club — and on firm sand this can also prevent the leading edge from digging.
4. Short follow through
Abbreviating your finish promotes a more descending blow with the heel and helps you to control the strike. This allows you to make a committed swing, which can be tough on hardpan lies.
Now that you have the keys to unlock this nerve-wracking shot, try it out. McLachlin says that if you’ve done it right, you should see sand on the heel of your club. That’s because utilizing the heel allows the club to dig through the sand just enough, without grabbing the leading edge.
“I’ve got no interaction with the toe whatsoever, but I have tons of interaction with this heel,” McLachlin says.
Don’t be afraid to utilize the heel, though. It has more bounce than you might think and is designed to glide — not stick — through the compact sand.
“That’s what all the tour players know. You’ve gotta dig that heel in. That is absolutely key for you to get out of a firm bunker with height and softness,” McLachlin says.
With a little practice, you should be able to improve your control and contact from these lies — and start popping the ball out and landing them close.
ShortGameChef.com, created by PGA Tour winner Parker McLachlin, provides golfers with a comprehensive resource to improve their short game. Through personalized tips, drills, and expert insights, Parker helps players of all levels gain more confidence and a deeper understanding of their short game to lower their scores. You can browse membership options here.
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