How to Practice Bunker Shots

By | on February 11, 2023 | 17 Comments | Array


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Paul Wilson is the creator of Swing Machine Golf and founder of Ignition Golf. Paul's golf swing technique is based on the Iron Byron swing machine. YouTube Channels: Paul Wilson Golf and Ignition Golf Tips. Please Join me on Google+

17 Responses to “How to Practice Bunker Shots”

  1. February 10, 2013

    DominicErba

    Paul

    My bunker play has definitely improved with practice of your method. I still struggle with strange lies. In a future tip on bunker play, would you speak to the adjustments you make in the various locations…..for example edge of bunker, standing outside, one foot in, buried lie, downhill lie etc

    Hope all is well

    Dom

  2. Paul ,
    Could you please show (unless you did it in one of your other VIDEOS and I missed it ) how you play a sand shot in a sloping downward lie:do you put THE ball back in your stance or do you keep THE ball forwards,off your left foot ?

    • Raymond,

      I will get to this eventually.

      Yes, ball back in your stance. Ball will go right so aim left.

  3. More from above..Playing a sand shot in a sloping downward lie:do you put all of your weight on your left foot? Also would it be advisable to play a 60* or even a 64* wedge rather than my 56* due to the diminished loft?

    • August 7, 2014

      Paul Wilson

      Richard,

      Yes, most of your weight would be on the forward leg depending on how severe the slope. What club to hit depends on the slope and pin position. If it is cut close I would take the higher lofted club.

  4. June 29, 2015

    Roy

    Paul,

    Just to be sure, in the bunker our swing path should be along our body alignment and not the aiming point of the ball?

    Thx!

  5. Hi Paul for those of us who don’t have access to practice bunkers, and are condemned to hitting off rubber mats for practice, is there anything we can do to practice bunker play? A way to emulate the proper technique at the range? Thanks , Ben

  6. Good one Paul. My bunker play is reasonable in terms of getting the ball out. In greenside bunkers with the pin in the centre or back of the green I am almost always short and have the sensation of taking a bit too much sand. Any thoughts?

  7. April 17, 2017

    TomC

    Hi Paul, Do you have or can you do a tip on hitting out of a bunker from a down sloping lie in the back of the bunker? I’m fairly solid with your technique on average lies but the downward sloping greenside bunker shot has me flummoxed. (:
    Thanks,
    Tom

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      April 18, 2017

      Paul Wilson

      Tom,

      Our bunker is terrible right now. I might be able to do it but will have to check.

      Basically it would be just like a downhill lie on grass or thereabouts. I made even take it outside and cut across it a little. You will be de-lofting the club so keep this in mind as you open the face. It may get more run due to less loft.

  8. February 1, 2020

    RandMellor

    Paul, for my bunker shots I’m currently using either 56 or 60 degree wedge; would u recommend using an actual sand wedge instead? Here in Tucson, we have many dirt bunkers instead of sand, what do u think??? Thanks again for all your help!!!!!!

  9. February 2, 2020

    StephenClutter

    Paul, I have applied your lessons on bunker play to good use, but all of a sudden I am entering the sand 4-6 inches behind the ball causing me to skull the ball and it comes out like a line drive. Should I concentrate on hitting down more? I try to slide the sand wedge under the ball.

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      February 5, 2020

      Paul Wilson

      You want to be turning your body faster. You are hitting the golf ball too fat, which in turn makes the golf club bounce up and hit the equater of the golf ball. This would be the same as a fat shot on the grass, you have too much weight on your back foot at contact. Fat: https://ignitiongolf.com/fat-shots-cure/

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