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Bunker shot Wedges Expert / Intermediate ⏱ 2 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Viktor Hovland's Buried Lie in the Bunker

Ball buried in the sand, with plenty of green ahead: the common instinct is to close the clubface. In this short demonstration, Viktor Hovland does the opposite and explains why.

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Viktor Hovland
Viktor Hovland · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.
Schedule · Step 6 of 7Escape Bunkers in 7 StepsCounts as a valid shot when: A buried ball comes out of the bunker 7 times out of 10.
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To be continued

4 minSame problemSergio Garcia's short game: committing to a shotSergio Garcia · Intermediate / Expert4 minSame problemShort Bunker Shot: 80% Body with DubuissonVictor Dubuisson · Intermediate / Expert2 minFrom the same proViktor Hovland's Lag Putting SecretViktor Hovland · Intermediate

What the lesson shows

Facing a “fried egg,” Viktor Hovland assesses the shot playable when there's room on the green, as long as you plan the rotation carefully. He sees a lot of players close the face: For him, the ball then comes out even faster and rolls even further. Instead, he chooses to’open the face wide his 60°, a club he likes with little bounce, to stop the ball as quickly as possible.

He takes his place close to the ball and almost reaches out to touch her first, with the feeling of hit just above her. Because the clubface is closed, the ball shoots up almost vertically. The video is just over a minute and a half long: it’s a demonstration, not a detailed lesson. Remember the key points: an open clubface and contact very close to the ball to minimize roll.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Make sure you have enough green to let the ball roll.
  2. Grab your most open wedge and open the clubface significantly.
  3. Stand close to the ball.
  4. Swing so that it feels as though you're almost touching the top of the ball, without swinging around it.

Key Takeaways

Closing the clubface makes the ball fly faster and roll farther.
Hovland opens the clubface wide to stop the ball sooner.
He positions himself close to the ball and almost hits it.
The ball shoots up almost vertically when hit deep: you have to account for the roll.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Closing the clubface out of reflex: the ball comes out too fast.
  • Hit well behind the ball.
  • Forget that the ball will roll, even with an open face.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Push a few balls into the sand with your foot
  2. Compare the open side and closed side of the bearing
  3. Note the rolling distance to know where to aim

Your Questions

Why not close the clubface on a low-flying ball?

According to Viktor Hovland, a closed clubface makes the ball fly even faster and roll farther. He opens it up a lot to stop the ball as soon as possible.

Where should you touch the sand?

Very close to the ball. He says he almost tries to make contact with it first, with the feeling of hitting just above it.

Is this move suitable for all situations?

He demonstrates this with a shot played low, with plenty of green available, where the main challenge is predicting how far the ball will roll.

Learn More

All “Bunker Shot” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Sergio Garcia's short game: committing to a shotCommitting to a single shot, playing the same high or rolling approach, attacking the bunker with spin: Sergio Garcia around the green. Symmetry and Speed During a Bunker Shot with Van de VeldeThe club slows down in the sand: Van de Velde makes the follow-through as long as the backswing and throws sand all the way onto the green, proof that he accelerated. Short Bunker Shot: 80% Body with DubuissonLittle green to work with, firm green: Dubuisson uses 80% body and 20% hands, a very open face, weight on the left leg and an almost square stance. Viktor HovlandAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Viktor Hovland). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.

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