How Much Sand Should You Take For Perfect Bunker Shots?

One of the keys to being a good bunker player is to understand how the entry point affects how the ball will react. In the video and article below, Golf Monthly Top 50 Coach Dan Grieve sheds some light on this topic and shares some simple bunker shot tips that will help you become a master of the sand.

A lot of golfers struggle with how to play bunker shots but it's not as difficult as you might think. You can, for example, change the distance you hit it and how much spin you generate just by where you enter the sand and how you release the club.

I've set up a nice example where I have around 15 yards of green to work with but there is a flat shelf and then a sharp downslope to the pin. In this scenario, you can take less loft and let it release down to the hole or you can fly the ball further with more spin. Here's how to play both shots.

More run, less spin

I'm using my 56-degree wedge for the first one which is going to run more and here are the changes to make for this shot. First, move your ball position a little further back so it is between the middle of your stance and your front foot. As for the swing itself, you want it to be wider in the follow-through so there's less breakdown of the wrists.

In terms of how much sand to take, a great drill is to draw three lines in the bunker about an inch apart. Set up with your ball on the line nearest the target and aim to enter the sand on the line that is furthest away as I demonstrate in the video. This will take the spin off the ball and ensure it has the run required to get all the way to the flag.

This is a great shot to add to your repertoire as it's quite a safe shot and can be relied on if you're facing a nervy bunker shot.

Less run, more spin

To spin it more, I'd recommend increasing the loft to 60 degrees or even higher because this will allow you to create more speed and therefore more spin. Gary Player calls it striking the match so I want you to really zip under the ball through impact and release the clubhead. 

Keep the ball position on the same line but try and enter the sand on the middle line this time. If you execute, you should notice the ball comes out  higher and lands a lot softer with more spin. 

This is a great way of learning how to play two different but highly effective bunker shots just by changing your entry point and the amount of sand you take.