Bunker Shot with Spin: The Lewis Wallace Method
A 10-yard bunker shot with water behind the green: a shot that strikes fear into the heart. Lewis Wallace explains that the fear disappears when you know how to use the club. He demonstrates how to open the clubface and, most importantly, how to set up at address so that the sole glides under the ball.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Lewis Wallace is playing at the Héritage Golf Club in Mauritius and faces a tricky shot: he has to stop the ball very quickly because there’s water waiting behind the green. He emphasizes the psychological aspect: in the bunker, you think about all the dangers and only last about how well you’ll execute the shot. According to him, that fear fades when you know how to use the club. You open the clubface to use the bounce, the sole of the club, which glides through the sand beneath the ball; the loft and bounce create spin. He describes four front-view positions depending on the direction of the lines: perpendicular to the line, toward the left heel, toward the middle of the left foot, or toward the toes of the left foot. Here, he chooses position 4, or position 3 if you’re less comfortable.
But an open face is useless if you stand as you would with a 9-iron at 110 yards—feet together and standing straight. The most underestimated point is Address Posture: a stance wider than shoulder-width, since the lower body rotates very little, Grip and handle lowered as far as possible; glutes low, as if sitting in a chair. The sole of the club is then exposed to the sand, and you can feel that you’re ready to swing hard. He cites Sergio Garcia and Seve Ballesteros, masters of the bunker. To aim, he lands the ball halfway between the entrance to the green and the flag, without being too ambitious.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Choose the front opening: with the ridges toward the middle of the left foot, or toward the toes of the left foot for a high, short release.
- Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Lower the grip and the handle as much as possible.
- Bend your knees and lower your hips as if you were sitting down in a chair.
- Choose a landing spot halfway between the entrance to the green and the flag.
- Swing while feeling the sole of the club whip through the sand beneath the ball.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Being afraid to open up the clubface.
- Open your stance but stand up straight, with your feet close together, as you would with a 9-iron.
- Keep your center of gravity high to prevent the bounce from hitting the sand.
- Aim for the flag when the water is behind the green.
- Think about the dangers rather than the next move.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Comparison of the Four Front-Facing Opening Positions
- Squat position, lowered grip, in front of a mirror or a camera
- Outings with a designated meeting point halfway to the flag
- Controlling where the ball stops
Your Questions
Why open the clubface in the bunker?
To take advantage of the bounce, the sole of the club glides through the sand beneath the ball. According to Lewis Wallace, the loft and bounce, combined with good contact, allow the ball to come to a stop very quickly on the green.
How do you know how much to open the face?
It offers four positions depending on the direction of the grooves: perpendicular to the line, toward the left heel, toward the middle of the left foot, and toward the toes of the left foot. The higher and shorter the shot needs to be, the wider you open the clubface.
What address posture should you adopt?
Stand with your feet wider than shoulder-width apart, the grip and handle lowered as far as possible, and your hips low as if you were sitting on a chair. This is what exposes the sole to the sand.
Where should you land the ball when there's water behind the green?
Lewis Wallace aims for the middle between the green's entrance and the flag. Aiming for the flag is too risky with the water behind it; aiming for the green's entrance leaves the ball too far away.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Lewis Wallace). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.