Few golf shots are more intimidating than staring down a bunker with a high rim between your ball and the green. The margin for error is small – erase it and you’ll catch the edge; hit too far behind him and you’re standing in the trap.
However, with the right technique you can execute these shots without fear. Here are five keys to pulling off a loud, smooth getaway.
1. Open the clubface early
Before you take your stance, open the clubface, then take control of yourself. This adds loft by pointing the face more towards the sky and exposes the bulge — the part of the stick that helps him slide through the sand. The edge should only come into play from the buried lies, so getting the right mix of loft and bounce here is key.
2. Check your configuration
Play the ball slightly forward in your stance to help launch it higher. Widen your stance and lower your hands and shaft angle – this promotes added loft and encourages the shallower swing stroke you want through the sand.
3. Take a thin layer of sand
Your goal is to slide the club under the ball by getting a thin layer of sand. Because sand slows the club significantly, you’ll need more speed than most players realize. Focus on throwing sand under the ball and on the green – not on the “hit” of the ball itself.
4. Avoid this big mistake
Most golfers instinctively drop back onto their foot, thinking this will help lift the ball. In reality, it does the opposite. Hanging back moves the low point too far behind the ball, making it almost certain that you’ll get a lot of sand.
5. Commit to follow-up
An aggressive arm swing is key. Keep accelerating through the sand and let the club finish long and high. This full release helps achieve the height you need to clear the rim.
If you can commit to these set-up and swing keys, your bunker game will improve quickly—and high-lip escapes will start to feel a lot less scary.
