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Bunker Shots: Get Out of the Sand First Time

Q: How many inches behind the ball should you hit the sand?

You generally aim a couple of inches behind the ball. More than the exact distance, what matters is hitting the same spot every time, which is what the drills in these lessons train.

Q: What should you do when the ball is buried in the sand?

There are two schools of thought: closing the clubface and striking hard downward, or, like Viktor Hovland, opening the clubface wide and striking almost vertically. Try both during practice and stick with the one that works for you every time.

Getting out of the sand on your first shot isn't a matter of luck. Figure out what's holding you back in the bunker, then find the pro lesson that addresses it: basic technique, opening the clubface, difficult lies, or tricky shots near the flag.

▶ See the 22 best lessons

7Free ProgramEscape Bunkers in 7 StepsThe Right Lessons, in the Right Order · Get Started →

The Bunker in 30 Seconds

In a greenside bunker, you don't hit the ball—you hit the sand behind the ball, and it's the sand that gets it out. The sole of the sand wedge, its bounce, slides through the sand instead of getting stuck in it, especially when the face is open.

Three adjustments make all the difference: an open clubface, shifting your weight slightly more to your front foot, and really accelerating through the finish. The tips below will show you where to start.

What's the problem in the bunker? A 6-question diagnosis

Think about your most recent shots from the bunker, then click on the one that best describes you.

1Does your ball stay in the bunker, or barely make it out?Review the basics → 2Hitting the ball before the sand, so it flies over the back of the green?Learn to take the sand → 3Does your club dig into the sand instead of gliding?Open the face and use the bounce → 4Is the pin really close and the green running fast?The short, delicate bunker → 5Buried lie, or standing on a slope in the bunker?Tricky lies → 6Want to get the ball to bite and play like the pros?Pros' Pre-Shot Routines →

Where should I start?

Three simple lessons to get out of a bunker every time, two of them in French.

5 minViktor Hovland's bunker shot: a wedge, a setupHovland advises amateur golfers to use just one 60° wedge and one stance, and to adjust the height by changing the clubface angle and swing speed.Viktor Hovland · 17K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★7 minThe ARC Technique to Get Out of a Greenside Bunker First TimeThe ARC method: a low, steady base; bounce from the sole with the face turned and the grip toward your belt; cut through along your foot line.Joël Bernard · 246K views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★★11 minGetting Out of the Bunker with a Square Stance: 8 TipsForget the open stance and the out-to-in swing: square, very low, face open to use the bounce, speed from the wrists; distance from how much you open the face.Guillaume Biaugeaud · 21K views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★★★

The Basics of Getting Out on the First Try

Strike the sand in the right spot and accelerate all the way through: these lessons provide a simple, repeatable method for escaping from any green-side bunker.

4 minSymmetry 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.Jean Van de Velde · 7K views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★★

For more information: Wedge play · Pitch Shots

The address and the opening of the clubface

An open clubface and well-placed feet let the club's bounce glide through the sand. Thomas Levet shows how to open the face, Lee Trevino how the stance shapes the swing.

3 minFeet Position for Chipping and Bunker Shots, According to Lee TrevinoAround the green, the club follows the line of your feet: an open stance helps you avoid “forcing” the backswing and shanks when chipping from the bunker.Lee Trevino · 403K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★2 minHow to Create Bounce for a Bunker Shot with Thomas LevetMoving the grip end back opens the face to the sky and adds bounce to the sand wedge; then a short backswing and a big follow-through, like tossing a bag of sand.Thomas Levet · 7K views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★★

For more information: Address posture

Short bunker, firm green

When there isn't much green left, the ball needs to fly high and come down gently. Victor Dubuisson uses his body rather than his hands to maintain control.

4 minShort 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.Victor Dubuisson · 9K views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★★

Tough lies: buried ball, sloping bunker

Buried ball, feet above or below the ball: the technique changes. These lessons show how to adapt your setup and clubface to each situation.

2 minViktor Hovland's Buried Lie in the BunkerInstead of closing his clubface on a “fried egg” shot, Hovland opens it up a lot, positions himself close to the ball, and almost hits right on top of it.Viktor Hovland · 4K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★6 minBunker shot down the slope: Rory McIlroyRory McIlroy adjusts his setup for a downhill bunker shot, shoulders matching the slope, and invites you to lower your expectations on this shot.Rory McIlroy · 6K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★

For more information: Uneven Lies · Hazards and Trouble Shots

Pros' Pre-Shot Routines Around the Green

How the best players work on their bunker shots during their short game practice sessions, including chips and approach shots.

16 minTommy Fleetwood's Short Game: Chip, Bunker, and Long PuttThree of Fleetwood's pre-shot routines around the green: the “lofted putt” chip, the bunker shot aimed at an impact mark, and the long putt read from the low side.Tommy Fleetwood · 2 million views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★★11 minDeChambeau's Short Game Practice: Chips, Rough, BunkerHis typical practice session around the green: three basic chip shots, three shots from the rough handled differently, and in the bunker, controlling the point of impact on the clubface.Bryson DeChambeau · 731K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★★15 minScheffler and McIlroy's Wedge Workshop: Chips and BunkersScheffler and McIlroy are looking for a “shallow” swing and a draw feel around the green, from a tight lie to the bunker, to make better contact with the ball.Scottie Scheffler · 1 million views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★8 minJustin Rose's Approach to Short Game PlayRose breaks down the short game into a few key principles: a low point under the left armpit, a long or short arc depending on the flag, and compares Seve and Mickelson.Justin Rose · 195K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★★4 minSergio 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.Sergio Garcia · 45,000 views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★

For more information: Wedge play · Spin

Other lessons involving bunkers

6 minGary Player's Bunker Play: Three Lies, Three ShotsGary Player sets up three balls—one on the ground, one buried, and one propped up—and demonstrates that in a bunker, you should play the shot gently rather than trying to blast the sand away.Gary Player · 310K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★14 minNelly Korda, Charley Hull, and Brooke Henderson's wedgesThree players, three situations: Nelly Korda's long bunker shot, Charley Hull's chip shot with her arms outstretched, and Brooke Henderson's uphill shot.Nelly Korda · 148K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★3 minPhil Mickelson's Sand Divot in the Bunker: The KeysThe club enters the sand about four inches behind the ball and exits in front: open face, early wrist hinge and speed all the way to full extension.Phil Mickelson · 26K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★5 minTiger Woods' bunker shot: feeling the drawTiger Woods hits the ball with a draw in mind: right foot back, hands low, he releases the club instead of dragging it through the sand.Scottie Scheffler · 573K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★8 minShawn Clement's Bunker: Sand as a SnowplowDon't worry about the amount of sand or the angle: Shawn Clement simply adjusts his swing to send the sand exactly where the ball needs to land.Shawn Clement · 372K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★5 minLong Bunker Shots: Morgan Pankow's Chunk and RunFor a long bunker shot, Morgan Pankow doesn't force a 58-degree wedge; she uses a 9-iron or a pitching wedge, strikes the ball from behind, and lets it roll.Morgan Pankow · 9K views · 🇬🇧 Summary 7 minBunker Shot with Spin: The Lewis Wallace MethodTo stop the ball near the water: open the clubface using four reference points, widen your stance, lower your grip, and sit back to expose the bounce.Lewis Wallace · 57K views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★2 minFairway Bunker: Marion Ricordeau's Simple EscapeIn a big fairway bunker 130 yards from the green, without grounding the club: ball slightly back in your stance and ball-then-sand contact for a reasonable distance.Marion Ricordeau · 491 views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★

Your Questions About a Bunker Shot

Which club should you use for a bunker shot on the green?

The sand wedge, with a loft between 54° and 58°, is designed for this purpose: its wide sole and high bounce prevent it from sinking into the sand. A 60° lob wedge is useful for very short, high shots.

Should you open the clubface in the bunker?

In most cases, yes: an open clubface increases the bounce and makes the ball rise. Open the clubface before taking your grip; otherwise, it will close during the swing.

How many inches behind the ball should you hit the sand?

You generally aim a couple of inches behind the ball. More important than the exact distance is always hitting the ball in the same spot, which is what the exercises in these lessons focus on.

What should you do when the ball is buried in the sand?

There are two schools of thought: closing the clubface and hitting the ball hard downward, or, like Viktor Hovland, opening the clubface wide and hitting the ball almost vertically. Try both during practice and stick with the one that works for you every time.

Can you touch the sand with the club before taking a swing?

No. In a bunker, touching the sand with the club at address, during the backswing, or to test the sand is prohibited and results in a two-stroke penalty in stroke play.

Is a fairway bunker played the same way as a greenside bunker?

No. When hitting from a fairway bunker, you want to hit the ball first to maintain distance: position the ball a little further back, keep your feet steady, and take a controlled swing—without hitting any sand before the ball.

📖 Word of the Day: Bunker on the golf course — the definition, before moving on to the videos.