If you want to be successful from greenside bunkers, you have to take the right amount of sand. One of the most common faults amateurs make in greenside bunkers is entering the sand too far behind the ball — resulting in a fat shot in fluffier conditions or a skulled shot from firmer lies.
It’s a frustrating — and often unavoidable — mistake, as many amateurs unknowingly have implemented setup adjustments that encourage them to hang back through the swing, causing them to strike the sand too early. These changes include: playing their ball too far forward, tilting their shoulders away from the target (like you would for a driver swing) and having their eyes focused too far behind the ball.
This forces players to make a swing where the lower body slides forward and the upper body leans back, away from the target. The result? A clubhead that enters the sand too early and dumps the ball back in the bunker or sends it sailing over the green.
However, with just four setup adjustments and one simple swing key, you can build a solid foundation and learn to drive through the ball for a consistent impact position every time. Let’s break them down.
Setup keys for a solid strike from the bunker
1. Widen your stance, shoulders level
A wide stance makes it easier to hinge at the hips, which creates a neutral spine angle and helps shoulders feel level to the ground.
2. Ball position middle of left chest
Playing the ball even with the logo on your shirt will greatly increase your chances of striking the sand in the proper location.
3. Toe line closed of target
Aiming your feet slightly right of the target (for right-handed players) makes the one in-swing focus much easier to attain. This tweak will also help eliminate lower-body slide and keep your upper body from hanging back.
4. Set your gaze on top of the ball
If you tend to enter the sand too early, finding a dimple directly on top of the ball to focus on will help you enter the sand at the right time.
“Throw the medicine ball”
In your downswing, try to push up on your lead leg. This will help you utilize vertical force to keep your leg from sliding or buckling as you swing.
If you are struggling to feel your chest rotating towards the target, imagine that you’re throwing a medicine ball against a wall. This visual should help you get your upper body turning through, over the lead leg, and help you splash it out onto the green.
