Viktor Hovland's bunker shot: a wedge, a setup
On his old college course, Viktor Hovland gives an amateur a lesson on bunker play. His approach: fewer variables. Just one wedge, one stance, and two adjustments that cover almost everything—face angle and swing speed.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Viktor Hovland is playing still at 60° in the bunkers, because that’s the club he knows best. He advises amateurs to get used to a single club before trying others: when used properly, the 60° can replace several clubs. To get the ball to rise, he Open the clubface a little more and swing a little harder. He keeps the stable lower body, whereas in the long game, he actually tries to generate momentum with his legs.
On a bad lie, with sand behind the ball, he warns that the ball will come out low and without spin. So he aims for a landing spot just on the green and lets it roll. If he needs to clear a lip, he keeps the clubface slightly open, takes more sand, and hit harder, without changing the angle of attack. He finds the very open stance difficult for an amateur to replicate: it’s better to use just one stance and focus on clubface angle and swing speed. He keeps the clubface square only if the ball is deep in the bunker, or on a very long bunker shot where he can even close it.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Use your widest-opening wedge—the same one for every bunker.
- Maintain your usual stance, without leaning too far to the left.
- Open the clubface to the desired angle: the more you open it, the higher the ball will fly.
- Keep your legs relaxed and swing a little harder than you think.
- If you're on a bad lie, aim for a landing zone just on the green and account for the roll.
- For a very long bunker shot, keep the clubface almost square—or even closed.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Changing wedges for every bunker shot without mastering them.
- A very open stance that causes you to hit the sand too early and leaves the ball in the bunker.
- Move your legs a lot, just like on a full swing.
- Expecting spin from a ball resting on a poor lie.
- Slow down when you need to pick up more sand.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- A series using a single wedge, by varying the face angle
- The same routine, speeding up a little more with each ball
- A few shots played from a difficult lie, with a short landing area
- A few balls driven deep, square to the net
Your Questions
Which wedge does Viktor Hovland recommend for the bunker?
He always plays his 60°. He recommends that amateurs get to know a single club well before trying others, because you can hit many different shots with a 60°.
Should you stand with your legs very wide apart?
Not for most players, according to him. He sometimes does it for a flag that’s very close to the lip, but he recommends instead focusing on a single target and playing with the clubface angle and speed.
What should you do when there's sand behind the ball?
Accept that the ball will come out low and without spin. Aim for a landing spot just on the green, let it roll, and hit it harder if you need to clear more sand.
When does it maintain its square shape?
When the ball is buried, and on a very long bunker, where he might even be able to get it out.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Viktor Hovland). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.