Clinic Tips and Reminders

BUNKER PLAY FUNDAMENTALS

The Basics: Think "Splash," not "Strike"

1. Setup Fundamentals (Greenside Bunker)

• Open clubface: Before you grip the club, rotate the face open (adds loft and bounce).

• Light grip pressure: Keeps your hands soft and helps use the bounce properly.

• Widen stance: Slightly wider than normal with weight favoring the front foot (60/40).

• Ball position: Forward in stance (just off the front heel).

• Dig in feet: Not only gives stability, but lowers your body into the sand.

2. Swing Fundamentals

• Swing with a relaxed rhythm-allow enough hinge in backswing to come down a bit more steeply if you need to pop the ball up

• Accelerate through the sand—don’t decel!

• Enter the sand ~1-2 inches behind the ball depending upon the type of sand (dry, wet, heavy, fluffy)

• Use the bounce: Let the club glide through the sand, don’t dig!

INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED BUNKER SKILLS

When you want to go from "out" to "close."

1. Varying Trajectory

• Higher shot: Open clubface more, ball more forward, softer hands.

• Lower shot: Slightly square face, ball a little farther back, firmer wrists.

2. Controlling Distance

• Vary the length of your backswing, but keep the speed consistent through impact.

3. Buried Lie

• Square face, dig heels in, steeper angle of attack—think “chop” with a strong wrist hinge.

4. Fried Egg Drill (Harder Lies)

• Place the ball deep into the sand, open stance and swing steep, like chopping under it.

DRILLS

1. Line in the Sand Drill

• Draw a line in the sand and practice entering just behind it.

• Goal: Consistent entry point = consistent bunker shots.

2. Dollar Bill Drill

• Imagine the ball is sitting on a dollar bill. Take out the whole "bill" with your swing.

• Helps visualize the proper amount of sand.

3. Towel Drill (For Clean Sand Entry)

• Place a towel 1-2 inches behind the ball and avoid hitting the towel.

• Encourages shallower, cleaner contact.

4. 9-Ball Bunker Game

• Try hitting bunker shots with:

  • 3 different trajectories (low, mid, high)

  • 3 different distances (short, mid, long)

• Great for creativity and shot-making feel.

ETIQUETTE & RULES IN BUNKERS

ETIQUETTE & RULES IN BUNKERS

Etiquette:

✅ Rake the bunker after your shot. Smooth out all footprints, divots, and ball marks to leave the area as good or better than you found it.
✅ Enter the bunker from the low side whenever possible to avoid damaging the bunker edges (known as the "lip").
✅ Avoid walking through another player’s line—this is especially important in match play or stroke play competitions.
✅ Place the rake outside the bunker, parallel to the line of play, unless local rules or the course specify otherwise.

Rules Quick Tips (Under 2023 Rules):

✅ You can now remove loose impediments (like leaves, twigs, stones) in a bunker under Rule 12.2a(1). Just be careful not to move your ball while doing so.

✅ You may touch the sand lightly with your hand or club, but not in these situations:

• Deliberately testing the condition of the sand

• Touching the sand right in front of or right behind the ball when making a practice swing or during your backswing for the stroke

• Making a stroke

✅ If your ball is unplayable in the bunker, you have three relief options under Rule 19.3:

1. Stroke-and-distance relief (replay from the previous spot, 1-stroke penalty)

2. Back-on-the-line relief in the bunker (1-stroke penalty, must stay in the bunker)

3. New since 2019: Back-on-the-line relief outside the bunker, with a 1-stroke penalty. This allows you to drop the ball behind the bunker on the line between the hole and where your ball lies.

Uneven Lies: Uphill, Downhill, Sidehill

“Golf is a game of adjustments. With the right approach, no slope is too steep.” Unknown!

1. Uphill lies:

• Widen your stance for balance.

• Shift your weight slightly toward your back foot.

• Match your shoulders to the slope’s angle.

• Use one more club than usual since the uphill slope will add loft.

• Add a little extra energy to get up the hill when you swing so you don’t hit the ground behind the ball.

2. Downhill lies:

• Narrow your stance a bit for better control.

• Lean slightly forward to match the slope.

• Play the ball back in your stance.

• Shorten your swing to maintain balance and control.

• You may find that adding a little more wrist or trail elbow hinge can help get the ball up in the air easier. Make sure you swing with the slope!

3. Sidehill lies:

Ball above your feet:

• Stance and Grip: Stand taller and grip down on the club. This setup helps in maintaining balance and control.​

• Aim Adjustment: The ball tends to draw (move right to left for right-handers) from this lie. Aim slightly right to compensate.​

• Swing Path: Swing along the slope, keeping your balance throughout the motion.​

Ball below your feet:

• Stance and Flexibility: Bend more at the knees and hips to reach the ball comfortably.​

• Aim Adjustment: The ball tends to fade (move left to right for right-handers) from this lie. Aim slightly left to counteract this.​

• Swing Focus: Maintain a steady swing, focusing on solid contact. Balance is crucial, so avoid overreaching.​

Drills for uneven lies:

• The alignment stick drill: Place an alignment stick on the slope and practice setting up parallel to it.

• Three-ball test: Hit three shots from different slope angles, noting how the ball flight changes and adjusting your stance accordingly.