Chris Starkjohann

Four simple fundamentals for bunkers

Our goal is to get the ball out of the bunker on the first shot. There are four simple fundamentals that you would do well not to avoid or be fearful of incorporating in your approach to bunkers.

Here is info on “what to do” as well as, most importantly, “WHY” to do them:  

• Enter the bunker square to your target and then open the club face 2-4 degrees.
  • Why: This allows you to utilize the bounce of your sand wedge or most lofted club which can range in loft from 56 degrees to 60 degrees.
    • Take your most lofted club at eye level, rest it in on your hand and slightly open your club face and you will see how the bounce of the wedge will come into effect, allowing the club to slide through the sand rather than dig.
• Open your stance, meaning aim to the left of your target (for right-handers), by approximately 10 feet or 10 degrees.
  • Why: In step 1, you opened the club face. So, in step 2 we need to offset that with our alignment to avoid the ball going to the right of our target.
• Ball position will be played just a little to the left of center in your stance (for right-handers).
  • Why: Our objective is to hit anywhere between 1-4” behind the ball or, in other words, hit it “fat”. This will promote us catching behind the ball.
    • Remember the club face should never touch the ball. The sand will get caught between our club face and the ball and propel the ball out of the bunker. Note: If the sand gets out of the bunker there is a very high probability the ball will go with it.
• Weight distribution is 60 -70% on our leading foot, the one closest to the target, and our weight distribution should remain very constant throughout the swing.
  • Why: This will quiet our body movement, create a descending blow and allow our hands to remain slightly ahead at impact.

Chris Starkjohann is a PGA professional with over 32 years’ teaching experience. He is a multi-time Southern California and National PGA Player of the Year and plays in PGA Tour and Champions Tour events. Chris is available for private lessons. Read more about Chris and how to schedule a lesson with him.