Golf: The Fairway Bunker Shot

Step 1: Choose your club

Make sure you use a club with enough loft to get the ball over the front edge of the bunker. If the bunker is flat, you might even be able to use your fairway woods or hybrids.

Step 2: The set-up

As touching the sand at set-up is against the rules, you should put the club in the air behind the ball and then take your normal set-up. Important tip! Because the sand is loose your right foot can easily slip backwards in the downswing, causing you to hit the sand behind the ball. When you set up, put your right foot into the sand at an angle to give you a firmer foothold. That way you will be able to push your weight forwards throughout the swing without your back foot sliding away, so it is easier to make a good contact with the ball.

Step 3: The swing

As usual, your body rotates, leading your arms and hands through the swing. Maintain a constant body height from your set-up position through your backswing. This ensures that the club meets the ball on the downswing so the loft of the club carries the ball into the air and over the edge of the bunker. Do not try to lift the ball with your arms. Take a good follow-through and finish the swing with your body facing the target to send the ball true and long towards the green.