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.