Greenside bunker shots scare amateur golfers more than any other shot — but they shouldn't. The sand shot is actually one of golf's most forgiving shots when executed correctly. These 5 drills build the sand skill that most amateurs completely neglect in practice.
Draw a line in the sand with your club. Place the ball 2 inches ahead of the line.
Practice hitting the sand 2 inches behind the ball (on the line) rather than the ball itself.
Draw a 6-inch circle in the sand with the ball in the center.
Practice hitting all the sand within the circle. Your divot should match the circle's footprint.
Set up normally in the bunker with eyes open. Take your read.
Close your eyes and execute the bunker shot. Focus only on the feel of the club sliding under the sand.
Press a ball halfway into the sand with your foot. Practice escaping it.
Use a square face, steeper attack angle, and more speed to displace enough sand to move the ball.
Place 3 flags at 10, 20, and 30 feet from your bunker. Alternate targets.
Hit 5 shots to each target in sequence. Your sand depth (not swing speed) controls the distance.
"The bunker shot is golf's most generous stroke — you don't have to hit the ball, only the sand. Golfers who understand this truth find bunkers far less frightening than those who treat it as a ball shot."
GOATY's swing mechanics coaching builds the body control and consistency that makes bunker technique repeatable. The same lead arm structure and body rotation that GOATY measures in full swings produces the reliable, accelerating bunker swing that gets you out cleanly.
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