Mr. Short Game

Bunker Tip - Shallow not Steep

Most golfers struggle in bunkers because they attack the sand too steeply. The result is heavy contact, chunked shots, and inconsistent distance control. A small adjustment in setup and swing direction can completely change how the club moves through the sand.

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The Common Bunker Mistake

Traditional bunker instruction often teaches golfers to open the stance and swing directly along the target line. While that can work, it frequently creates a steep, digging motion.

  • Too much downward attack into the sand.
  • Contact too far behind the ball.
  • Inconsistent carry and rollout.
  • Fear of accelerating through impact.

The Real Problem: Swinging Too Steep

A steep bunker swing causes the club to dig excessively into the sand instead of gliding through it.

  • Heavy contact becomes more common.
  • Soft sand becomes difficult to control.
  • Distance and spin become inconsistent.

The goal is not more force — it’s creating a shallower attack angle.

The Fix: Aim Right, Swing Left

Step 1: Adjust Your Alignment

Instead of aiming directly at the target, aim slightly right of the target line.

Step 2: Setup Fundamentals

  • Use a slightly wider stance.
  • Keep your weight modestly forward.
  • Open the clubface slightly.
  • Allow the body to align slightly right of target.

Step 3: Change the Swing Direction

From this setup, feel like you pull everything left through impact.

  • This creates a shallower swing path.
  • The club glides through the sand instead of digging.
  • The ball comes out softer and more controlled.

What NOT to Do

  • Don’t force the club steeply downward.
  • Don’t decelerate through the shot.
  • Don’t obsess over “perfect” contact.

Most poor bunker shots happen because the player slows down or digs too aggressively into the sand.

Training Progression

Phase 1: Exaggerated Practice

Practice the exaggerated “aim right, swing left” motion repeatedly until the shallow feel becomes natural.

  • Focus on shallow sand entry.
  • Maintain acceleration through impact.
  • Pay attention to how the club glides through the sand.

Phase 2: Return to Neutral

Once the movement feels comfortable, gradually return to a more neutral setup while keeping the same shallow swing feel.

  • Return closer to square alignment.
  • Maintain the same through-swing motion.
  • Keep the shallow attack angle.

Key Takeaways

  • Avoid steep bunker swings.
  • Aim slightly right to improve swing path.
  • Feel like the swing exits left through impact.
  • Let the sand help the ball escape.

Final Thought

Great bunker play is not about hitting harder or trying to “help” the ball into the air. It’s about creating the right path, using the bounce correctly, and allowing the club to move through the sand with confidence.

Train the shallow motion first, then gradually blend it back into your normal setup and routine.