Why Most Golfers Misjudge Greenside Bunker Shots (And How to Fix It)

Most golfers dread the sight of a greenside bunker. And it’s no wonder—thin one and you’re over the other side of the green; chunk one and you’re still in the sand.

“The problem isn’t the bunker,” says elite golf coach Mark Wood. “It’s how golfers approach the shot. They don’t have a clear plan—or the right technique.”

Let’s fix that. Because when played correctly, a greenside bunker shot is one of the easiest in golf. Seriously.

The Biggest Myths That Ruin Your Sand Game

Let’s start by busting a few myths I hear every week:

• “You need to hit the ball.”
  Wrong. You’re actually trying to hit the sand behind the ball.

• “You need to scoop it out.”
  Nope. That leads to flipping wrists and digging the club. You need to swing through, not lift.

• “You need a special technique.”
  Not really. Just understand the basics and practice them consistently.

“A bunker shot is just a splash,” Wood says. “If you splash the sand correctly, the ball rides the wave and lands softly. That’s it.”

Build the Proper Setup

Most bunker mistakes start before you ever swing. Here’s the setup I teach:

• Feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, stance square to the target

• Clubface open (yes, even for amateurs), it increases the loft and bounce

• Ball forward in stance, this helps create additional height to escape the bunker

• Weight slightly forward—favor your lead side, 70% into the lead side, promotes a consistent strike point in the sand

• Hands neutral (not pushed forward)

“If your clubface isn’t open, you’re toast,” says Wood. “A square face digs. An open face glides.”

The open face adds bounce, which is what helps the club skim through the sand rather than dig in.

The Swing: Less Force, More Flow

Here’s what a good greenside bunker swing looks like:

1. Accelerate through the sand—don’t decelerate.

2. Enter the sand 1–2 inches behind the ball.

3. Follow through to a full finish.

4. Keep your chest rotating—not your hands flipping.

“The swing is similar to a flop shot,” Wood explains. “But the contact point is behind the ball, and your only goal is to throw a splash of sand onto the green.”

Drill: The Line in the Sand

This is the #1 bunker drill I teach beginners and pros alike.

How to Do It:

1. Draw a line in the sand.

2. Set up with the line just inside your lead heel.

3. Take swings trying to enter the sand exactly on the line—no ball needed.

4. Add a ball once you can hit the line consistently.

“I don’t even give players a ball at first,” Wood says. “They have to earn it by learning how to hit the sand properly.”

This trains your entry point, which is the single most important skill in bunker play.

Trust the Loft—Not Your Hands

Golfers get into trouble when they try to lift the ball with their hands. That just leads to skulls and chunks.

Let the loft of the club do the work. Your job is to deliver the bounce through the sand. Keep your hands passive and your body rotating.

“Most bad bunker shots are caused by helping the ball into the air. But the sand is what lifts the ball—not your wrists,” Wood emphasizes.

Bonus Tip: Lower Body Stays Quiet

Unlike a full swing, you don’t need much lower body movement here. A quiet lower half gives you more control and a shallower angle of attack.

Just rotate your chest through impact and finish with balance. That’s it.

Practice Plan: Make Bunker Play Automatic

Here’s how to turn your bunker game into a strength:

1. 20-Splash Challenge

Pick a target on the green. Hit 20 bunker shots trying to land inside a 10-foot circle. Track how many stay inside.

2. Random Lies

Drop balls in different sand conditions: fluffy, compact, upslope, downslope. Learn to adjust clubface and stance.

3. One-Ball Pressure

Hit one ball. If it doesn’t land inside 6 feet, start over. Build mental toughness.

“You won’t fear bunkers if you’ve practiced the shot under pressure,” says Wood. “Treat it like any other part of the game—learn it, drill it, and trust it.”

Final Thoughts

Greenside bunkers don’t have to be scary. With the right setup, mindset, and swing thoughts, they become routine.

“A great bunker player isn’t lucky—they’re smart and consistent,” Wood says. “Get the face open, trust the sand, and commit to the shot.”

Master the splash—and watch your confidence soar every time you step into the sand.