Pro Tips
Secrets to Mastering Greenside Bunkers...
by Courtney Mahon, LPGA
Are you one of those golfers who avoid being in the bunker at all cost? Bunkers are fun when using the proper technique! Let’ s learn the essentials to creating effective shots from the sand.
Setup is KEY! Unlike most instruction that suggests an open stance and clubface, I recommend the stance and clubface be square on all bunker shots. It doesn’ t make any sense to have the stance aim left and a clubface aim right( for a right-handed golfer) with the goal of making the ball go somewhere in the middle. In addition to having a square stance and clubface, you will also need to be farther from the ball, lower the handle of the club, and set your shoulders level to the ground.
amount of sand between the clubface and the ball. To use the loft on your club properly, you will need to use your hands. I suggest trying to“ flip” the club underneath the ball while maintaining the same amount of loft on the club throughout the entire swing.
Photo 1
Photo 2
Alignment Stick
We need to use our hands to use the loft on our club properly( photo 1). Try to“ flip” the club underneath the ball( see wrist in photo 2) while maintaining the same amount of loft on the club throughout the entire swing.
Sand Mound
Photo 1
Photo 2
Align the ball to the center of your chest( photo 1), square to the ball. Practice by using an alignment stick pointing at the ball from your chest to the ball in the middle of your stance and strike the sand about an inch behind the ball( see white line in photo 2).
Landing Area Do you know where to land your clubhead on your bunker shots? The majority of people tend to land too far behind the ball, which most often results in the golfer facing yet another bunker shot. It can also cause low trajectories, no spin and inconsistent bunker play. Ideally, the club will enter the sand“ only” one inch behind the ball( see photo 2 above). Practice by drawing a line in the sand one inch behind the ball, and make practice swings to see where your club is entering and exiting the sand. The goal should be to enter the sand in the exact same spot every time!
Use Your Hands We need hands! Most sand shots require some height to get the ball out. Two things will impact the trajectory of the ball from leaving the bunker: 1) loft on the clubface at impact and 2) the
30 April 2025 TEE TIMES GOLF GUIDE
Photo 1 Photo 2
I teach new students to mound the sand under the ball( photo 1) to help them swing through the sand. As they progress, the mound is lowered. With practice, they will blast it out and master bunker shots( photo 2). Give this tip a try, and you’ ll learn how fun sand shots are and gain confidence to make the shot easy and routine.
The combination of maintaining the loft on the club and entering the sand in the correct spot will create the trajectory and distance you want. With these helpful tips, the next time you find yourself in a bunker, be excited for the opportunity to get up and down. �
Courtney Mahon is a LPGA Class A professional and Director of Instruction at Tour Striker Golf Academy Midwest at Falcon Ridge Golf Club. Awarded 2020 LPGA Teacher of the Year and a Top 50 U. S. Kids Tour teacher for 2017. For questions or help, contact her at
Courtney @ TourStriker. com or call 913.393.4653. Scan the QR Code for a direct link to lesson videos and even review them while you’ re on the range.
Lesson videos at www. youtube. com / courtneymahongolf.