How To Get Out of the Bunker Every Time
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If you’ve ever walked into a greenside bunker and thought:
- “Please just get out… I don’t even care where it goes.”
- “Why do I either blade it across the green or leave it in the sand?”
- “How do the pros make this look so easy?”
Good news: escaping bunkers isn’t magic. It’s mechanics. And once you lock in these 7 steps, you’ll start getting out every time—with confidence.
Let’s go.
⛳️ Step 1: Hover the Club Behind the Ball
Start just like a normal full wedge shot, but hover the club about an inch behind the ball. Don’t ground it in the sand—you want freedom through impact. This hovering setup is key for feel and finesse.
🔓 Step 2: Open Your Stance & Clubface
Now turn your front foot out slightly and pull your lead foot back. You’re open to the target line.
Then open your clubface until it’s pointing at the flag or target.
Yes—this feels weird at first. But it’s what lets the club glide under the ball instead of dig.
🦶 Step 3: Dig Your Feet In
Wiggle your feet into the sand a couple inches. This lowers your body relative to the ball and ensures your swing path naturally contacts the sand behind the ball.
Important: While your feet dig in, your club still hovers behind the ball.
🎯 Step 4: Visualize Your Setup
Let’s recap where you’re at:
Let’s recap where you’re at:
- Feet dug in
- Stance open
- Clubface open and pointing at the target
- Club hovering an inch behind the ball
Lock this in. It’s your new bunker pre-shot routine.
🧍♂️ Step 5: Keep Your Lower Body Still on the Backswing
This is where most golfers mess it up.
This is where most golfers mess it up.
Do NOT turn your lower body.
On your backswing, focus on a quiet base—hips still, feet grounded. Let your arms and shoulders do the work. This keeps your swing compact and helps you bottom out right behind the ball.
💣 Step 6: Swing Hard—Like It’s a Full Shot
Here’s the fun part: swing like you mean it.
Commit to a full, aggressive swing. Since you’re set up correctly (dug in and open), the club will naturally enter the sand 1–2 inches behind the ball, slide under, and launch it softly and high onto the green.
You’ll get the classic splash, the satisfying thump, and the smooth arc. It’ll look pro—even if you’re not.
Commit to a full, aggressive swing. Since you’re set up correctly (dug in and open), the club will naturally enter the sand 1–2 inches behind the ball, slide under, and launch it softly and high onto the green.
You’ll get the classic splash, the satisfying thump, and the smooth arc. It’ll look pro—even if you’re not.
🏆 Step 7: Enjoy the Shock on Your Playing Partner’s Face
Seriously—once you start escaping bunkers cleanly:
Seriously—once you start escaping bunkers cleanly:
- You’ll save par more often
- You’ll play with less fear
- Your buddies will swear you took lessons (or made a deal with the golf gods)
The bunker isn’t a penalty box. It’s your new scoring opportunity.
✅ Bunker Checklist
☐ Hover the club 1 inch behind the ball
☐ Open stance and open clubface (clubface points at target)
☐ Dig your feet in
☐ Keep your lower body still on the backswing
☐ Commit to a full, aggressive swing
☐ Focus on hitting 1–2 inches behind the ball
☐ Watch it pop out clean and soft
☐ Hover the club 1 inch behind the ball
☐ Open stance and open clubface (clubface points at target)
☐ Dig your feet in
☐ Keep your lower body still on the backswing
☐ Commit to a full, aggressive swing
☐ Focus on hitting 1–2 inches behind the ball
☐ Watch it pop out clean and soft
🔥 Bonus Tip: Practice with No Ball
Take 10 swings in the practice bunker aiming to enter the sand just behind an imaginary ball. Focus on your setup and the thump of the club entering the sand. Then place a ball and do it for real. You’ll be shocked how repeatable this becomes.
Take 10 swings in the practice bunker aiming to enter the sand just behind an imaginary ball. Focus on your setup and the thump of the club entering the sand. Then place a ball and do it for real. You’ll be shocked how repeatable this becomes.
🎉 You're Now a Bunker Boss
No more fear. No more flubs. Just consistent, confident escapes.
—The GolfSpirations Team
No more fear. No more flubs. Just consistent, confident escapes.
—The GolfSpirations Team
