CONCEPT · SHORT GAME INTERMEDIATE FOCUS
Great bunker players create consistent contact by hitting sand first with proper technique and club selection.
Skill split
01 · Overview
~2 min read
Most golfers approach bunker shots with a mixture of dread and confusion, often because they've been taught oversimplified techniques that don't account for varying sand conditions. The reality is that effective bunker play requires adapting your technique based on what you encounter, from fluffy beach sand to the firm, packed surfaces that can turn a standard explosion shot into a skulled disaster.
James Ridyard emphasizes a crucial point that contradicts common advice: maintaining forward shaft lean through impact position rather than trying to get the club vertical in the sand. Meanwhile, The Art of Simple Golf reveals why firm bunkers demand a completely different approach—using a steeper angle of attack instead of the shallow glide most players attempt regardless of conditions.
The fundamentals of setup and weight transfer become even more critical in sand, where small adjustments can mean the difference between a confident escape and another shot from the same bunker. Understanding how face angle and bounce work together allows you to control both trajectory and spin, turning bunker shots from desperate survival swings into legitimate scoring opportunities.
Whether you're a weekend player who panics at the sight of sand or a skilled golfer looking to add finesse around the greens, mastering these techniques will transform one of golf's most feared situations into a strength in your short game arsenal.
4 components that build the move
01 · SETUP POSITION
Position your feet in an open stance with weight favoring your front heel, not your toe. This stable base prevents falling backward during the swing and promotes the proper angle of attack into the sand.
02 · CLUB PREPARATION
Open the clubface first, then take your grip to lock in that position. The opened face increases bounce and helps the club glide through sand rather than digging too deeply.
03 · SWING PATH
Swing along your open stance line, creating an outside-to-in path relative to the target. Maintain smooth acceleration through impact to ensure the club doesn't decelerate in the sand.
04 · CONTACT POINT
Focus on hitting the sand behind the ball, not the ball itself. The sand explosion lifts the ball out while the club never actually contacts the ball directly.
02 · The Reference
3 of 201 · hand-selected
Editor's Pick · #1 · 8:18
Ridyard breaks down the single most common misconception that keeps golfers stuck in bunkers lesson after lesson.
James Ridyard · intermediate
Editor's Pick · 6:06
The only video that specifically addresses firm, packed bunkers where traditional technique fails and a steeper approach works better.
The Art of Simple Golf · intermediate
Editor's Pick · 5:51
MrShortGame isolates the weight distribution error that causes golfers to fall backward and chunk shots, with a simple heel-focused fix.
MrShortGame Golf · beginner
04 · The Experts
3 perspectives · same drill
! Don't use in fluffy sand bunkers where shallow glide works better
04 · Practice it
3 drills
Drill
Practice protocol with timestamped demonstrations across 9 videos.
Drill
Practice protocol with timestamped demonstrations across 6 videos.
Drill
Practice protocol with timestamped demonstrations across 4 videos.
05 · FAQ
Answered from the library
The key is making a simple bounce adjustment for firmer sand conditions. As demonstrated in The Art of Simple Golf video, you need to adapt your technique based on the sand consistency rather than using the same approach for all bunker conditions.
Danny Maude emphasizes taking 5 seconds before each bunker shot to assess the lie and sand conditions. This assessment allows you to control distance and adapt your technique whether there's a lot of sand or very little sand in the bunker.
Dan Grieve's technique focuses on controlled release patterns that allow you to vary trajectory and spin. The 'release 3 on steroids' method helps you get nice controlled shots that can still find the hole while maintaining consistency.
James Ridyard's popular 'bunker cheat code' provides a super simple system that makes hitting great bunker shots easier. This technique focuses on fundamental principles that any golfer can apply regardless of their current skill level.
According to former professional golfer Paige Spiranac, improving your short game including bunker play is the quickest way to get better regardless of your handicap. Working with proper instruction and understanding technique fundamentals will have immediate impact on your scoring.
Tap any concept to explore the library
06 · The Library
YouTube-indexed · expert-graded
Video · 0:56
Golf Monthly
Video · 1:32
Meandmygolf
Video · 0:38
Golfslump
Video · 2:28
Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard
Video · 0:41
Meandmygolf
Video · 0:11
Luke Hanlon Golf
Video · 1:02
Golf Monthly
Video · 0:33
ChrisRyanGolf
Video · 2:04
Top Speed Golf - Clay Ballard
Video · 2:32
True Swing by Erika Larkin
Video · 1:04
Todd Graves
Video · 0:32
Padraig Harrington
Video · 0:41
Meandmygolf
Video · 0:31
Luke Hanlon Golf
Video · 11:56
Padraig Harrington
Video · 0:33
Michael Kanev Golf
Video · 1:35
Tropicana Entertainment
Video · 0:33
ChrisRyanGolf
Video · 0:41
Golf Sidekick
Video · 18:35
Meandmygolf
Video · 1:22
Golf Sidekick
Video · 0:52
Peter Finch Golf
Video · 0:12
Luke Hanlon Golf
Video · 0:56
Dan Grieve
Video · 0:22
Bryson DeChambeau
Video · 1:30
Golf Sidekick
Video · 0:48
Dan Grieve
Video · 0:11
Kerrod Gray Golf
Video · 0:23
Golfslump
Video · 0:40
Kerrod Gray Golf
Video · 1:23
Big Swing Golf
Video · 1:29
True Swing by Erika Larkin
Video · 0:53
ChrisRyanGolf
Video · 0:58
Alistair Davies Golf
Video · 0:15
Tropicana Entertainment
Video · 1:54
Jerome Rufin
Video · 0:46
AlexElliottGolf
Video · 13:47
Danny Maude
Video · 15:16
True Swing by Erika Larkin
Video · 1:06
The Art of Simple Golf
Video · 0:23
Kerrod Gray Golf
Video · 17:00
AlexElliottGolf
Video · 0:25
Golf Sidekick
Video · 0:58
Todd Graves
Video · 4:20
Golf Sidekick
Video · 2:00
True Swing by Erika Larkin
Video · 0:11
Luke Hanlon Golf
Video · 0:07
The Logical Golfer
Video · 13:50
The Lads
Video · 0:31
Dan Grieve
Work through progressive bunker drills to build confidence and consistency from sand.
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