Bunker Shots for High Handicappers – Easy Tips And Technique

Navigating bunker shots can be daunting for golfers of all skill levels. But for high handicappers, it can often feel like an incredibly challenging try. Bunker shots can be tricky, especially if you’re a high handicapper in golf. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! This guide will give you simple tips and techniques to make bunker shots easier. Whether you’re new to golf or looking to improve, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s learn how to handle those sand traps with confidence and ease.

We will now discuss bunker shots and how they differ from regular shots.

What bunker shots and how they differ from regular shots

A bunker shot is a type of golf shot that is played from a sand trap. Bunker shots differ from regular shots in a few ways. First, the sand can make getting the ball to launch into the air challenging. Second, the ball will often have a lot of backspin when it lands, making it roll back into the bunker. Third, the ball can bounce off the lip of the bunker and go into deep rough or water. High handicappers can do a few things to improve their bunker game.

First, they should take a less aggressive golf swing.

Second, they should focus on hitting the ball and letting the club follow through.

Third, they should ensure their weight is shifted forward at impact.

These tips can help high handicappers improve their Bunker game and score lower in their next round of golf.

We will now discuss the three types of bunker shots.

The three types of bunker shots 

There are three main types of bunker shots in golf:

The Flop Bunker Shot

• The flop shot is a high, soft-landing bunker shot that’s useful when you need to clear a high lip of the bunker and stop the ball on the green.
• To play the flop shot, use a club with a high loft, like a lob wedge.
• Open your clubface, almost pointing it towards the sky.
• Use a wide, open stance and position the ball forward in your view.
• Make a full, high backswing and speed up through the ball. Allowing the club head to slide under the ball creates a high, soft landing.

The Blast Bunker Shot

• The blast, or explosion shot, gets the golf ball out of the bunker with power and consistency.
• Use a sand wedge or gap wedge for the blast shot.
• Open your stance slightly and position the ball just forward of center in your stance.
• The key is to hit the sand about 1-2 inches behind the ball with a descending blow.
• Unlike the flop shot, the blast shot has a lower trajectory and more roll when it lands.

The Bump Bunker Shot

• The bump-and-run bunker shot is a low, controlled shot usually used when you have less green and need to get the ball moving quickly.
• Choose a club with less spin, like a 9-iron or a throwing wedge.
• Keep your stance small and straight, and place the ball back in it.
• Make a shorter backswing and a downward hit on the ball. It makes clean contact without getting much sand.
• When the ball lands on the green, it will go low and roll out like a putt.

Each of these bunker shots has a different goal and needs another method. By practicing these shots, you can play golf in more ways.

We will now discuss how to execute each type of bunker shot.

How to execute each type of bunker shot

Here’s how to execute each type of bunker shot:

The Flop Bunker Shot

Club Selection: Use a highly lofted club, such as a lob wedge (usually 58 to 60 degrees).

Setup

• Open your stance by aiming your body slightly left (for right-handed golfers) or right (for left-handed golfers) of the target.
• Position the ball forward in your stance, near your front foot.
• Open the clubface significantly, almost pointing it towards the sky.

Swing Technique

• Make a full backswing and accelerate through the ball.
• Focus on hitting the sand just under the ball, about an inch behind it.
• The club should slide under the ball, sending it high into the air with a soft landing.
• Follow through with a high finish.

The Blast Bunker Shot

Club Selection: Use a sand or gap wedge (54 to 56 degrees).

Setup

• Open your stance slightly.
• Position the ball just forward of the center in your stance.

Swing Technique

• Take a regular backswing, but maintain a firm grip.
• Focus on hitting the sand about 1-2 inches behind the ball with a descending blow.
• The club should enter the sand and splash the sand and ball out of the bunker.
• Follow through with a controlled finish.

The Bump Bunker Shot

Club Selection: Use a less lofted club, like a pitching wedge or 9-iron.

Setup

• Keep your stance narrow and square to the target.
• Position the ball farther back in your stance, closer to your back foot.

Swing Technique

• Make a shorter backswing with less wrist hinge.
• Focus on making clean contact with the ball without taking much sand.
• After landing, the ball will come out low and roll out like a putt.
• Follow through like a putting stroke.

Remember that practice is the key to getting good at these bunker shots. Spend a lot of time in the practice hole to get a feel for each type of shot. You’ll get better at using them in various scenarios on the golf course.

We will now discuss these common mistakes high handicappers make with bunker shots.

These are common mistakes high handicappers make with bunker shots.

High handicappers often make common mistakes when dealing with bunker shots.

One of these mistakes is using the wrong club, which can lead to inconsistent results. They may also lack confidence in their bunker technique, causing them to hit the ball too softly.

Sometimes, they don’t open the clubface enough or stand incorrectly, resulting in the ball staying in the bunker or going too far.

Lastly, not deciding which bunker shot to use can lead to confusion. High handicappers should practice and work on these things to improve.

Which can help them handle bunker shots better and lower their scores.

We will now discuss practice drills to help improve your bunker game.

Practice drills to help improve your bunker game

Improving your bunker game in golf requires regular practice and the proper drills.

Here are some practice drills to help you become more skilled at bunker shots:

Target Practice

• Place a few golf balls in the bunker at different distances from the hole.
• Focus on getting each ball to land close to the target (the hole).
• Vary the distance and location of the targets to simulate different bunker situations.

Rake Drill

• Before hitting bunker shots, use a rake to create fluffy, firm, and in-between bunker lies.
• Practice from each lie to develop versatility in your shots.

Lip Drill

• Position yourself in a bunker with a high lip.
• Practice hitting shots that clear the lip and land softly on the green.
• This drill helps you handle challenging bunker scenarios.

Two-Ball Drill

• Place two golf balls in the bunker, about a club’s length apart.
• Aim to hit the first ball out of the bunker and the second ball into the hole.
• This drill helps you focus on getting the correct sand under the ball.

Progressive Distance Drill

• Start by hitting bunker shots to a close target and increasing the distance to the target.
• This drill helps you improve your control over the amount of power and loft in your bunker shots.

Upside-Down Club Drill

• Turn your sand wedge upside-down (use the clubhead to hit the ball).
• This drill forces you to hit the sand first and helps you develop a better feel for the bunker shot.

Bunker Simulator

• Create a makeshift bunker in your practice area.
• Use a sandbox or a similar soft area to mimic bunker conditions.
• Practice various bunker shots to replicate on-course scenarios.

Pressure Situation Drill

• Challenge yourself by simulating pressure situations, like needing to get up and down to save par.
• Keep score during your practice and work on handling pressure in the bunker.

When you practice bunker, don’t forget to pay attention to your skill and accuracy. Over time, these drills will help you handle bunker shots on the golf course more confidently and skillfully.

We will now discuss some FAQs on Bunker Shots for High Handicappers.

FAQs on Bunker Shots for High Handicappers

Why Can’t I Play Bunker Shots?

You might need help with bunker shots because they need a specific technique different from regular shots. It’s common to have trouble initially, especially if you need to practice more.

What Is the Trick to Bunker Shots?

The trick to bunker shots is to hit the sand before the ball. Here’s how:

• Open your clubface a bit.
• Put the ball forward in your stance.
• Take a comprehensive view and dig your feet in for balance.
• Swing through, aiming to hit the sand a few inches behind the ball.
• Follow through to lift the ball out of the bunker.

How Do You Hit a 150-Yard Bunker Shot?

Bunker shots are usually short, so hitting one 150 yards is rare. If you need to, try this:

• Use a less lofted club like a long iron.
• Open the clubface slightly.
• Put the ball forward in your stance.
• Swing fully, aiming to hit the sand first.
• Be aware that hitting a long bunker shot accurately is very hard. It’s not a typical shot in golf.

We will now discuss the conclusion on bunker shots for high handicappers.

Conclusion

To make a successful bunker shot, there are several things high handicappers must keep in mind.

Handling bunker shots as a high handicapper is doable with practice and the proper techniques. Don’t be discouraged by initial challenges; keep working on your skills.

With time and effort, you’ll become more confident and capable of dealing with bunkers, improving your golf game.

So, keep at it, and enjoy the journey of becoming a better golfer!