Field Notes
Golf Bunker Tips: How to Get Out of a Sand Trap Every Time
The mechanics of the basic greenside bunker shot — club setup, ball position, entry point, and the one swing key that gets the ball out every time.
Open the Face First
Before you grip the club, open the clubface so it points slightly right of target (for a right-handed player). Then take your normal grip. This adds bounce to the sole and prevents the club from digging.
Hit 2 Inches Behind the Ball
Pick a spot 2 inches behind the ball in the sand — that is your target, not the ball itself. Let the club slide through the sand under the ball. You are displacing sand, not hitting the ball. The sand carries the ball out.
Commit and Accelerate
The most common bunker mistake is decelerating at impact — a fear-based response that buries the club. Commit to a full follow-through. The longer and more committed the finish, the more reliable the exit.
WYX Groove Note
Sharp grooves matter in bunkers for control and spin on wet sand. The WYX Groove Sharpener ($22) keeps wedge grooves sharp enough to perform in all conditions.
Continue with WYX golf essentials or read The Long Game.