Fairway bunkers are a completely different challenge from greenside bunkers. The objective, the technique and the overall strategy are almost opposite. While greenside bunker shots are designed to get the ball in and out of the sand with plenty of loft, fairway bunker shots are often about maximizing distance and getting the ball back into play.
Depending on the distance you have left, you may need to hit anything from a short iron to a avenue wood. The good news is that with the right plan and a few adjustments to your technique, fairway bunkers can be much more manageable than you might think.
Here are five tips you can use to hit fairway bunker shots with more confidence.
“>
1. Focus on the dance-first contact
When playing from a fairway bunker, your goal is to make solid contact with the ball before the club interacts with the sand. This is the opposite of a greenside bunker shot, where you intentionally hit the sand behind the ball to create a splash effect.
Think of a fairway bunker shot more like a traditional fairway shot: You want to hit the ball first and then take a divot. Understanding this distinction is important because it will help you make the appropriate adjustments to your setup and swing.
2. Dance position is crucial
One of the biggest differences between greenside and fairway bunker shots is ball position. Because you want to make the first contact of the ball, the ball must be positioned in the center of your posture or slightly behind.
This positioning helps ensure that the club makes contact with the ball while still moving toward the ground. For many golfers, the low point of the club is naturally around the center of the stance. By positioning the ball appropriately, you will give yourself a much better opportunity to catch it cleanly before the club enters the sand.
3. Consider club selection
Choosing the right club requires some evaluation before you swing. Start by evaluating your lie. Ideally, the ball will be placed on the sand, which gives you a clean opportunity to make the first contact of the ball. If the ball is buried or sitting, it may be smarter to abandon the idea of a traditional fairway bunker shot. Instead, take a lofted wedge, get a lot of sand and focus on getting the ball out and back in play.
Next, consider the height of the lip in front of you. The higher the lip, the more loft you need to get the ball up and over. When in doubt, it’s generally better to take a little more loft than you think you need, rather than risk hitting the ball in the face of the bunker.
If you have a good lie and a manageable lip, you can use almost any club in your bag, including fairway woods. You may want to take an extra club to account for the added difficulty of the shot, but don’t automatically assume you need to putt. With the right conditions, you can still be aggressive and advance the ball a significant distance.
4. Take some sand
There is a common misconception that fairway bunker shots require picking the ball perfectly clear of the sand without making contact with the surface. While the technique can work, it is generally much less reliable than making first contact with the ball and then picking up some sand.
The problem with trying to pick the ball completely clean is that even a slight miscalculation can lead to a poor shot. That can be particularly expensive when there is a lip in front of you, as a thin shot may not have enough trajectory to clear the bunker.
Instead, focus on making solid contact with the ball first and allow the club to brush the sand immediately afterward. Good fairway bunker players aren’t afraid to take on some sand. Simply make sure the ball comes first.
5. Stay steady and finish ahead
With the goal of hitting the ball before the sand, it is important to maintain a stable base throughout the swing. Try to avoid excessive lateral movement, especially any unnecessary shift toward your trailing foot during the backswing.
A useful setup adjustment is to place your trailing foot in the sand so that the outside of your foot is slightly higher than your big toe. This can help limit lateral movement and keep your weight from shifting too far from the target.
Finally, make sure you finish with your weight on your lead foot. Resist the temptation to hang or try to lift the ball in the air. The club loft will do it for you. By being balanced and moving through the shot, you’ll have a much better chance of producing the clean, first ball contact you’re looking for.
