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Women Golf InfluencersBunker shot Wedges Beginner / Intermediate ⏱ 5 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Long Bunker Shots: Morgan Pankow's Chunk and Run

Why are long bunkers so difficult? Because most golfers use the same technique they use for short bunkers. Morgan Pankow reviews the basics of the classic bunker shot, shares two key sensations, and demonstrates the “chunk and run”—a shot he learned later in his career that has saved him a lot of strokes.

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Morgan Pankow
Morgan Pankow · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

20 minSame problemLearning to Putt: From Grip to Speed ControlPaige Spiranac · Beginner25 minSame problemGabi Powel vs. Hailey Ostrom: The End of the MatchGabi Powel · Beginner / Intermediate18 minNext Level UpBump-and-run and flop shot: three shots around the greenPaige Spiranac · Intermediate

What the lesson shows

First, the basics: open stance, open stance, weight on the front. Morgan Pankow Align the clubface with the target, widen your stance, and then dig your feet into the sand—this makes it easier to make contact with the sand before the ball. Her tip, which went viral on Instagram: imagine there’s water on the clubface, like a tray you don’t want to tip over. She adds a tip from an instructor for those who hit thin shots: imagine two tees under your armpits to stay connected. And she reminds players to read the sand: the lighter it is, the farther back you can dig in; the firmer it is, the less you open the clubface and the closer to the ball you strike.

For long bunkers, many golfers force a 58- or 54-degree wedge: the ball either goes past the green or stays in the sand. His solution: chunk and run. Choose a pitching wedge or a 9-, 8-, or 7-iron depending on the distance to the flag; open your stance and clubface slightly, with the ball in the same spot, and You hit the ball 5 to 7 cm behind it. The key difference: fewer wrist fractures and a lower finish. The ball comes out low, with little spin, and rolls. Demonstration from a bunker 25 to 30 yards away.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Align your body toward the target, then widen your stance and dig your feet into the sand.
  2. Keep your weight on the front foot throughout the entire swing.
  3. Read the sand to figure out where to make contact behind the ball.
  4. Warm up by drawing a line in the sand and touching it—without a ball.
  5. For a long bunker shot, use a pitching wedge or a 9-, 8-, or 7-iron, depending on the distance.
  6. Open your stance and feet slightly, maintain your ball position, and bend your wrists just a little.
  7. Hit the ball 5 to 7 cm behind it and let it roll.

Key Takeaways

Classic bunker shot: open face, open stance, weight on the front.
Feet planted in the sand so they touch the sand first.
With light sand, step further back; with firm sand, take a more square stance and stand closer to the ball.
Long bunker: use a pitching wedge or a 9-iron instead of a 58-degree wedge.
Hit the ball 5 to 7 cm behind it, with minimal wrist movement.
The ball comes out low and rolls toward the flag.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Play a long bunker shot using the technique for a short bunker shot.
  • Hit a 58- or 54-degree wedge too hard: the ball will fly past the green or end up in the sand.
  • Raise your shoulders and swing down from above, hitting the ball.
  • Dig in equally well in both firm and loose sand.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. A line drawn in the sand that must be touched without using the ball
  2. Exits with the sensation of water on the face
  3. Swings with two tees under the armpits
  4. Chunk and run with a 9-iron from a bunker 25 to 30 yards away

Your Questions

Why are long bunkers so difficult?

According to Morgan Pankow, this is because most golfers use the short-bunker technique there. If you hit a 58- or 54-degree wedge too hard, the ball will fly past the green or stay in the bunker.

What is "chunk and run"?

You intentionally strike the ball 5 to 7 cm behind the ball with a pitching wedge or a 9-, 8-, or 7-iron. This deep contact reduces spin: the ball flies low and rolls onto the green.

What are the technical differences compared to a traditional bunker?

Less wrist break and a lower finish. The stance and clubface remain slightly open, and the ball stays in the same position.

How can you adjust your swing for sand?

The lighter the sand, the farther behind the ball you can make contact. On firm sand, open the clubface less and strike the ball closer to it.

Learn More

All “Women Golf Influencers” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Bunker Shot” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Learning to Putt: From Grip to Speed ControlAll the basics of putting in order: grip, stance, eye focus, arcing stroke, reading the green from four angles, the “one potato, two potato” tempo, and two exercises for controlling the stroke. Bump-and-run and flop shot: three shots around the greenAround the green, there are two techniques: the bump-and-run with your shoulders (without using your hands), and an open face with hands free for downhill chips and flop shots. Fade and Draw from Your Stance: Start from a Straight ShotStart from a completely neutral straight shot, then open your stance for a fade and close it for a draw, without changing your grip or ball position. Morgan PankowAll of his lessons

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

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