To stop blading and chunking bunker shots, you need to nail three fundamentals. Initially, position the ball one inch forward of your sternum, not too far back or you'll blade it. Second, keep 60% of your weight on your front foot throughout the swing to maintain solid contact. Third, strike the sand 1-3 inches behind the ball with an open clubface, letting the bounce do the work instead of swinging harder. Perfect these basics, and you'll uncover even more techniques to change your sand game.
The secret to escaping bunkers consistently isn't about swinging harder or hoping for the best—it's about understanding where your club enters the sand and controlling that entry point every single time.
Here's the thing: most bladed shots happen because your ball's too far back in your stance. Position it one inch forward of where your sternum sits—that's your perpendicular chest line. This setup forces your club to enter the sand before reaching the ball, skimming underneath like you're lighting a match.
For chunked shots, check your hands. In fluffy sand, they should align even with your clubhead, not way ahead. When your hands sit too far forward, your club digs deep instead of sliding through. Focus on taking less sand by maintaining that 60% forward weight distribution you established at address!
Before you even swing, use your feet to gauge sand softness by digging in slightly with your lead foot. This tells you whether you're dealing with firm, tight sand that requires a shallower entry or soft, fluffy conditions where you can be more aggressive with your strike.
The biggest mistake golfers make during the swing is tilting their body instead of turning through impact. When you tilt instead of turn, your sternum moves backward, causing the club to strike the sand too early for chunked shots or catch the ball's equator for bladed shots.
Your wedge choice matters just as much as your swing technique when you're staring down a bunker shot. Grab your sand wedge initially, it's designed specifically for this with 54 to 58 degrees of loft and a wider sole that won't dig like your gap wedge. The bounce angle is vital here: use 14 degrees for soft, fluffy sand to prevent the club from sticking, and 10 degrees or less for firm conditions. A 56-degree loft handles most bunker situations, but you'll want that 58 or 60-degree lob wedge when you're facing a high lip. The important point is, your pitching wedge (43-48 degrees) doesn't have enough loft to clear bunkers consistently, so leave it in the bag. Understanding your wedge's bounce characteristics can eliminate common bunker mistakes and lead to instant improvement in your sand play. When you do select your sand wedge, open the clubface to maximize the bounce and help the club glide through the sand rather than digging in.
Once you've selected the right club for the job, setting up properly becomes your foundation for letting that bounce do what it's designed to do. Start by widening your stance beyond normal; this lowers your center of gravity and keeps your lower body quiet throughout the swing. Position the ball just inside your front heel, not in the center, so the clubhead enters the sand before striking the ball. The key point is: your shaft should point straight up and down at address, with the handle aimed at your belly button. Forward-leaning shafts dig, and that's what we're avoiding! Open your clubface to increase bounce, then squat down with extra knee flexion. This lower posture lets you rotate through the shot cleanly. Stand at least 6 inches farther from the ball than you would for a normal shot to shallow the angle of attack. Plan to make contact with the sand 2 to 3 inches behind the ball, which ensures the club exits effectively and prevents blading.
With regard to bunker shots, pinpointing where your club enters the sand matters just as much as how you swing it. You'll want to hit the sand about 1-3 inches behind the ball; that's your sweet spot for clean contact. Go beyond three inches, and you're asking for trouble because the ball won't escape properly, and distance control goes out the window. The key point is: when you're consistently landing in that tight window, you'll get the depth and spin you need. Think of it like creating a target line in the sand where your club should enter. That consistency prevents those dreaded thin shots (too shallow) and fat shots (too deep). Your open clubface will help lift the ball out even when you strike that spot behind it. Weight forward with feet set helps maintain balance and ensures you take the right amount of sand. Focus on that strike zone!
When most golfers step into a bunker, they make a fatal mistake; they baby the shot, decelerating through impact like they're scared of the sand. The point is: you need clubhead speed to blast through successfully. If your ball's staying in the bunker, swing faster; it's that simple. Commit to 80% effort with an aggressive motion instead of those timid mini-swings.
Now here's what sounds backwards but works: slow your hands and arms approaching impact. This deceleration actually transfers momentum to the clubhead, whipping it through the sand faster without extra effort. Practice feeling like your hands stop while the club flips through on its own. This technique gives you better depth control and consistent contact, letting the clubhead's momentum do the heavy lifting while you maintain that smooth, flowing rhythm. Keep your body and arms relaxed throughout the swing to achieve the proper acceleration without forcing the shot. To dial in your contact point, shift weight forward so your swing's low point moves closer to the target, helping you enter the sand just behind the ball instead of too early.
The difference between amateur bunker players and scratch golfers often comes down to one thing—consistent contact with the sand.
Here's how to develop that consistency. Initially, draw a line in the sand with your club and practice hitting the same spot repeatedly. The sand shows exactly where your wedge enters, giving you instant feedback without guessing.
Second, work on your wrist position by keeping your left wrist cupped throughout the swing. This one simple adjustment controls how deep your club goes and prevents fat or thin strikes.
Third, focus on your finish position. Short shots need a controlled, compact finish, while longer bunker shots require full extension and body rotation. Match your finish to the distance!
For wet or firm sand, you'll need to make some key tweaks. Use a 58° or 60° wedge with less bounce to prevent skipping off that compact surface. The key point is to aim just 1" behind the ball instead of the usual 2". You're clipping it up, not plowing underneath like in soft sand. Keep your clubface square and skim the surface rather than digging deep. You'll take about 25% less sand, so commit to accelerating through that heavier, wetter stuff!
Move the ball toward the middle of your stance and scoot your feet up 1-2 inches to create a steeper, descending blow. Keep your clubface square and grip tighter with your lead hand. You'll want to swing down firmly about 1 inch behind the ball, letting the clubhead stay buried in the sand after impact. This aggressive approach blasts out enough sand to carry the ball forward. Don't try helping it up; let the sand do that work!
No, you shouldn't use the same swing for uphill and downhill lies. On uphill shots, transfer your weight to your right foot during the downswing and take a full swing; the ball pops up steeply with less roll. Downhill lies need the opposite approach: lean left, position the ball back toward your right foot, and swing down the slope. Your club path must follow each slope's angle to avoid blading or chunking the shot.
Position the ball forward on your left heel and open your clubface to about 1:00; this adds essential loft. The important point is: you need to hit down steeply on the sand, creating a splash that pops upward. Keep your club in front of your hands through impact to use the bounce, not the leading edge. Accelerate hard through the shot—deceleration kills it! The sand explosion launches the ball vertically over that intimidating lip.
Try the towel drill: fold a towel in half, place your ball slightly forward, and swing through it to feel that cushiony resistance. You can also grab a Bunker Mate training aid, which uses a sheepskin layer to replicate sand without the mess. Both methods let you practice that low handle position and proper bounce technique right in your living room or backyard with a plastic ball.
You've got everything you need to escape bunkers with confidence. The right wedge gets you started, a proper stance activates that bounce, and knowing where to hit behind the ball, about two inches, keeps you from blading or chunking. Remember to commit to your swing and follow through, even in deep sand. Run through those three drills a few times, and you'll start splashing it close instead of leaving it in the trap!
