The Fairway Bunker Shot

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Beach week continues…

This time we’re going to back away from the greens and try and figure out what to do when those pesky fairway bunkers jump up and swallow your drives.

The technique for hitting out of fairway bunkers is quite different than the technique used in green side bunkers. Luckily, the adjustments are not very difficult.

From green side bunkers, the object is really to splash the ball out on a cushion of sand. The club never actually makes contact with the ball. That’s definitely not the objective from a fairway bunker. Making contact with the ball before the sand is critical.

Before worrying about the swing itself, the first thing to be concerned with is the situation. If the lie is poor, then you might want to just think about taking your medicine and advancing the ball up the fairway. If the lie is good, you need to consider where you want to hit your shot, what club you need to get there, and whether that club will be lofted enough to get over the lip of the bunker. If not, then you’re back to taking your medicine again.

Assuming your lie is good and the lip of the bunker isn’t an issue, then you’re ready to go. Typically, I like to go with a club or two more than what a fairway lie of the same distance would call for. Then, I take my stance. I don’t like to dig my feet, like with the green side bunker shot. Maybe a little for stability, but not much. I like to play the ball a little back in my stance. Maybe center or slightly behind center. Also, it’s not a bad idea to get a little more weight on your front foot at address. That will help promote a descending blow, allowing for contact with the ball first, much the same as with a chip shot.

The swing should be very controlled. You’re not looking for power here. The lower body should be very stable and relatively quiet. No big coil, and no driving with the legs. I like to take an abbreviated back swing to ensure that I stay stable and don’t go sliding or shifting. Gripping down a bit isn’t a bad idea, either. You need to avoid hitting it fat at all costs. Hitting it a little thin is perfectly fine. You’ll lose a little distance, but you’ll get the ball out without flubbing it 10 yards in front of you.

Be sure to accelerate through the ball. No stabbing at it, trying to blow it out of the bunker. Think of a nice smooth rhythm, accelerating through the ball to a full finish.

With these minor adjustments, I think you’ll be more consistent from the fairway bunkers. Have fun!

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Further Reading:

The Basic Sand Shot (Life in the Rough)
In Sand, the Point of Entry is Key (Life in the Rough)
The Buried Lie: A Sandy Grave (Life in the Rough)
Uphill and Downhill Lies in Bunkers (Life in the Rough)