Types of Bunker Shots

There are several types of bunker shots in golf, each suited to a specific lie, distance, and situation. Mastering the right shot for the right scenario can shave strokes off your score and boost your confidence from the sand.

1. Greenside Bunker Shot

• Purpose: Escape soft sand near the green and land the ball softly.

• Technique: Open stance and clubface, hit 1–2 inches behind the ball.

• Key Club: Sand wedge or lob wedge.

• Tip: Use the sand’s bounce to “splash” the ball out.

2. Fairway Bunker Shot

• Purpose: Advance the ball down the fairway or hit the green from a longer distance.

• Technique: Focus on ball-first contact with minimal lower-body movement.

• Key Club: Low to mid-iron (avoid long irons if the lip is high).

• Tip: Choke down on the grip for control and keep your stance stable.

3. Plugged Lie (Fried Egg) Bunker Shot

• Purpose: Escape a ball that's buried in the sand.

• Technique: Use a steep, descending blow with a closed clubface.

• Key Club: Sand wedge with less bounce.

• Tip: Expect minimal spin and a lower, rolling shot—play for more rollout.

4. Wet or Firm Sand Shot

• Purpose: Deal with compact or wet sand conditions.

• Technique: Less bounce, steeper angle of attack, more square clubface.

• Key Club: Gap wedge or sand wedge with reduced bounce.

• Tip: Hit closer to the ball than in soft sand—less splash, more direct contact.

5. Long Bunker Shot

• Purpose: Reach pins 20–40 yards away from the bunker.

• Technique: More club, square face, minimal wrist action.

• Key Club: Gap wedge or pitching wedge.

• Tip: Ball-first contact is ideal; reduce loft and swing more like a pitch shot.

6. High-Lip Escape

• Purpose: Get over a steep bunker face near the green.

• Technique: Open clubface, steep swing, full commitment.

• Key Club: Lob wedge with high loft and bounce.

• Tip: Aim for height over distance—get out first, then worry about precision.

7. Short-Sided Bunker Shot

• Purpose: Land soft and stop quickly with little green to work with.

• Technique: Open face, soft hands, big follow-through.

• Key Club: Lob wedge.

• Tip: Add spin and loft—play to land the ball just on the green.