x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
Here are 3 steps to hit bunker shots like the pros
SHARE
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Golf Logo
  • News
    • Latest
      • News
      • Features
      • Shows
      • PGA Tour Schedule
    • Series
      • Tour Confidential
      • Monday Finish
      • Hot Mic
      • Rogers Report
    • Shows
      • The Scoop
      • Subpar
      • Seen & Heard
  • Instruction
    • Game Improvement
      • Driving
      • Approach Shots
      • Bunker Shots
      • Short Game
      • Putting
      • Rules
      • Fitness
    • Series
      • Top 100 Teachers
      • Rules Guy
      • The Etiquetteist
    • Shows
      • Warming Up
      • Play Smart
      • Short Game Chef
      • Pros Teaching Joes
  • Gear
    • Clubs
      • Drivers
      • Irons
      • Hybrids
      • Fairway Woods
      • Wedges
      • Putters
    • Other Gear
      • Balls
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Golf Accessories
    • Series
      • ClubTest
      • Winner’s Bag
    • Shows
      • Fully Equipped
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • Course Finder
      • Courses
      • Resorts
    • Lifestyle
      • Accessories
      • Celebrities
      • Food
      • Style
      • Betting Advice
    • Shows
      • Super Secrets
      • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Clubs
      • Shafts
      • Training Aids
      • Balls
      • Bags
      • Technology
      • Apparel
      • Accessories
      • Our Picks
      • Shop All
    • Collections
      • The GOLF Collection
      • The Birdie Juice Collection
      • The Fully Equipped Collection
      • Shop All
  • Newsletters
    • Sign Up for GOLF’s Newsletters
      • Hot Mic
      • Monday Finish
      • Play Smart
      • Our Picks
      • Top Stories
      • Sign Up for All
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Features
    • Shows
    • PGA Tour Schedule
  • Instruction
    • All Instruction
    • Driving
    • Approach Shots
    • Bunker Shots
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Rules
    • Fitness
  • Gear
    • All Gear
    • Drivers
    • Irons
    • Hybrids
    • Fairway Woods
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Balls
    • Shoes
    • Apparel
    • Golf Accessories
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • All Travel
    • All Lifestyle
    • Course Finder
    • Courses
    • Resorts
    • Accessories
    • Celebrities
    • Food
    • Style
    • Betting Advice
  • Series
    • Tour Confidential
    • Monday Finish
    • Hot Mic
    • Rogers Report
    • Rules Guy
    • The Etiquetteist
    • ClubTest
    • Winner’s Bag
  • Shows
    • The Scoop
    • Subpar
    • Seen & Heard
    • Warming Up
    • Play Smart
    • Short Game Chef
    • Pros Teaching Joes
    • Fully Equipped
    • Super Secrets
    • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Clubs
    • Shafts
    • Training Aids
    • Balls
    • Bags
    • Technology
    • Apparel
    • Accessories
    • The GOLF Collection
    • The Birdie Juice Collection
    • The Fully Equipped Collection
  • Newsletters
    • Hot Mic
    • Monday Finish
    • Play Smart
    • Top Stories
    • Our Picks
    • Sign Up for All
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
InsideGolf
Bunker Shots

Here are 3 steps to hit bunker shots like the pros

By: Joe Plecker, Top 100 Teacher
February 5, 2023
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
rory mcirlroy hits bunker shot

Even pros miss greens from time to time.

Getty Images

Hey, even world No. 1 misses greens. Luckily, Rory McIlroy knows exactly how to save par from sand, which great players know requires a combo of power and finesse. Speed is needed to move the sand surrounding the ball; loft (the finesse part) is essential for launching the ball softly onto the green.

Instruction
Padraig Harrington shares his secrets to escaping plugged bunker lies
2 steps to escape severely plugged bunker lies, according to Padraig Harrington
By: Kevin Cunningham

If the picture above shows anything, it’s McIlroy meeting these needs to perfection, evidenced by a good amount of sand “exploding” from the bunker and the ball coming out nice, high and soft. 

Some basics Rory uses should help you too. Make sure to play forward in your stance, so your club contacts the sand first. Take an open stance, which will automatically steepen your swing. Finally, flex your knees at setup to lower your hands and get your wrists more involved in the swing. This is, after all, a “hinge,” then “unhinge” motion. 

Here are three tips to save it from the sand like the pros.

1. Tilt 

Rory’s upper body is tilted to the right (i.e., behind the ball). This ensures that his club hits the sand first and not the ball. It also adds extra loft to what’s already built into his wedge.

2. Add speed 

The effort you see in Rory’s expression highlights how powerful he’s swinging. Never “baby” a bunker shot. Also, notice the release in his arms and how much they’re extended.

3. Release 

Rory’s clubhead is above his hands and his left arm is bent in close to his side. These positions are proof of an early release, which will help you scoop the ball.

Joe Plecker is a GOLF Top 100 Teacher and is the director of instruction at The Landings Club in Savannah, Ga.

Latest In Instruction

51 minutes ago

Drew Stoltz's favorite bunker trick to fool your unsuspecting buddies

21 hours ago

The mental habits that win major championships

2 days ago

A step-by-step guide to chip with your hybrid

2 days ago

5 keys for scoring from the rough

generic profile image

Golf.com Photographer

Related Articles

Food
Pasta alla Zozzona became a fast favorite for LPGA Tour veteran Marina Alex—both at home and on the road

This delicious pasta became an LPGA veteran's tournament-week go-to

By: Jessica Marksbury
Approach Shots
Max Homa pitching from a wet lie

The 4 keys for pitching off wet lies

By: Maddi MacClurg
Approach Shots
joe plecker demonstrates how to find the center of your stance

Find the center of your stance for better contact with your irons

By: Joe Plecker, with Zephyr Melton
News
rory mcilroy after winning the 2025 masters

Rory McIlroy finally delivered on promise to join Grand Slam legends

By: Michael Bamberger
Driving
5 keys for longer, straighter drives

5 keys for longer, straighter drives

By: Kellie Stenzel, Top 100 Teacher
Rules
A long and winding golf cart path

Rules Guy: My ball rolled 100 yards backward on a cart path. Can I replace it where it landed?

By: Rules Guy
Instruction
rory mcilroy stares into the distance during the 2025 masters tournament

5 tips for managing your nerves under pressure on the golf course

By: Zephyr Melton
Rules
golf ball sliced in half

Rules Guy: I hit a ball that was sliced in half by a mower. What now?

By: Rules Guy
Bunker Shots
A plugged bunker lie like this one doesn't need to ruin your round.

Plugged lie in the bunker? Here's what you should do

By: Parker McLachlin, GOLF Teacher to Watch
Sign up for GOLF's Newsletters
Get the latest news, the hottest instruction tips, new product releases, golf media insider reports and more delivered directly to your inbox. Choose your favorites now.
Sign Up
Categories
  • News
  • Instruction
  • Gear
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Services
  • Masthead
  • GOLF Media Kit
  • GOLF Magazine Customer Service
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Opt-out of Ads/Sharing
  • Your Privacy Choices
Social
  • facebook
  • x
  • instagram
  • youtube
Membership
InsideGOLF Logo
More than $140 Value for JUST $39.99

INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE!

LEARN MORE

© 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Go to mobile version