Bunker Golf
Learn To Get Out Of The Trap

Bunkers are the nightmare of the beginner or high handicapper, but bunker golf needn't be.

By knowing what you're up against, and learning to play with skill, bunker shots can be as easy as a shot from the fairway!

There are different types of bunkers, and when thinking of bunkers you would normally think of sand, which are most common. You may encounter grass bunkers also, particularly when playing in Scotland, and the rest of Europe. Grass bunkers resemble sand bunkers, or sand traps as they are also known, except they have tall grass on the bottom, not sand. Grass bunkers are relatively easy to get out of, so for this page on bunker golf I will focus on sand traps, as this is what you are most likely to 'fall into'

By the way, one of the best bunker tips I could give is 'don't go in one' this is a lot easier said than done, and there will be lots of rounds you'll play when you won't encounter a single sand trap, however they are out there like Venus Fly traps, so beware!

Bunker Golf, 'soft' hands will get you through the sand

Let's start with a fairway bunker, these tend to be more shallow than a green side bunker, and depending where the ball rest in the bunker (in the middle, or up against the lip) will determine which type of bunker shot to play. There are various types of bunker shots you can play depending on the lie, distance etc.

Rules of golf, you are not allowed to 'ground' your club in a bunker (or any other hazard for that matter) in other words, you can't place the head of your club on the ground whilst lining up your shot. Grounding the club is a one-shot penalty.

You are allowed, and this is a must, to 'work' your feet into the ground when taking up your stance in a bunker. This will give you an idea of the consistency of the sand, some have little sand to work with, others are deep with sand.

A fairway bunker usually has little sand to work with, and is a good thing when playing out as they tend to be shallow so you can take your normal golf swing, the key to getting it out with distance is to strike the ball before you hit the sand. This isn't easy (nor are most golf shots) but the best thing to do is to play it as if you where on the fairway, but strike the ball 'thin' that is to say just below half way up the ball, taking little or no sand at all.

The bunker golf golden rule is 'get the ball out' so when executing a fairway bunker shot, do not try and hit it 250 yards to the green, just get it out! Take a lofted club, no less than a seven iron (depending on the distance) and take your normal swing as just described, you will get the ball out and get plenty of distance to set up your next shot.

Green side bunkers are a different kettle of fish, although once mastered can be easily played. Green side bunkers are much deeper than fairway bunkers and tend to have more sand to 'play' with.

A green side bunker shot should be played much like your pitch shot, open your stance (make sure you have 'worked' your feet into the sand) placing your weight 60-70 percent on your front foot, with your shoulders and hips a little open - aimed a little left of the target. Using your sand wedge or lob wedge, hit the shot, letting the sand carry the ball up and onto the green.

Unlike the fairway bunker you need to take plenty of sand when playing out of a green side bunker. Visualize your golf ball as a fried egg! the actual ball being the yellow yolk, then hit the 'outer edge' of the fried egg, about 5cm (2 inches) behind the ball, hitting down as with your pitch shot, do not try and 'scoop' the ball out, leave your weight on the front foot, be aggressive, and take plenty of sand!

The ball will miraculously 'fly' out of the bunker and land 'softly' on the green, with even a touch of 'back-spin'.

Depending on how close the bunker is to the green, and therefore how close you are to the pin, will determine how short you want to 'carry' the ball out of the bunker. Rule of thumb is to 'open' the club-face to shorten the distance, the further you 'open' the club (that is to lay the club wide open) the more loft you create, the shorter the distance the ball will carry.

Bunker golf is not something golfers tend not to practice, needless to say, the more sand traps you go in, the better bunker player you will be.

As I mentioned earlier, the best bunker tips I can give is 'don't go in one'. This can be done by not thinking about them! You need to learn and practice your bunker golf, but do not be afraid of them. If you think bunker, 9 times out of 10 is you'll find it!

Enjoy your bunker golf, and you'll increase your results, and lower your score.

If you prefer a video lesson click here.

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