There’s an old adage in golf that says, “Bunkers aren’t hazards; they’re just another shot.” But if you’ve ever found Bunker Basics: How to Play Every Type of Sand Shot Like a Pro

There’s an old saying in golf: “Bunkers aren’t hazards—they’re just another shot.”
But anyone who has ever sunk thigh-deep into soft sand with an unbalanced stance knows that line feels more like a joke than advice.

The truth? Every bunker is different, and each demands its own strategy.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common bunkers you’ll face—and exactly how to escape each one efficiently.

Fairway Bunkers: The Silent Traps

They sit quietly until your perfectly shaped draw drifts a fraction offline. Fairway bunkers aren’t meant to destroy your hole—but they do force a decision: attack or play smart?

How to play it:

Ball-first contact

Fairway bunker shots require you to strike the ball cleanly before the sand. Treat them like iron shots, not explosions.

Clup up for distance

Less turf under the ball means less compression and lower ball speed. Taking one extra club helps you reach your intended target.

Build a stable base

Dig your feet in just enough for traction. Too deep, and you’ll lower your arc and risk catching the sand first.

Smooth, balanced motion

Keep your tempo controlled. Think three-quarter speed with a stable finish—no aggressive swings from unstable footing.

Choose the safe club

Long irons or hybrids are fine only if the lip is low. When in doubt, opt for a mid-iron to guarantee clean escape.

Greenside Bunkers: The Great Equalizers

A greenside bunker never feels great—until you learn the technique. For skilled players, a greenside bunker can actually be easier than thick rough.
Mastering these shots transforms trouble into opportunity.

How to play it

Open the face early

Set the clubface open at address and keep it that way. The bounce is designed to glide through the sand, not dig.

Hit the sand, not the ball

Aim to strike about an inch behind the ball. The sand lifts the ball out softly.

Accelerate through impact

Commit to the swing. Any hesitation or deceleration leaves the ball in the bunker.

Match wedge to sand conditions

Firm sand? Use a lower-lofted wedge like a 52°.
Soft, fluffy sand? Use a 56° or 60° for extra height.

Waste Bunkers: The Wild Cards

Waste bunkers are the unpredictable cousins of fairway bunkers—large, rugged, natural, and often without penalties for grounding your club. Courses like Whistling Straits blur the line between bunker and waste area, adding a psychological layer.

How to play it

Treat it like the fairway

Ground your club, take relaxed practice swings, and set your stance the same way you would on grass.

Assess the lie carefully

Waste areas vary dramatically: compact, gravel-like sand allows aggressive swings, while soft patches demand caution.

Adapt your technique to conditions

Firm waste area? Use your regular iron swing.
Soft? Revert to fairway-bunker fundamentals.

Pick a club that matches the lie

Hybrids and long irons perform well on firm sand. With a poor lie, loft becomes your friend—use a more lofted iron.

Pot Bunkers: The Tiny, Merciless Pits

Common on classic links courses, pot bunkers are designed to humble you. Small, steep, and unforgiving, they often remove any possibility of reaching the green.

How to play it:

Take maximum loft

Your highest-lofted wedge—58° or 60°—gives you the best chance to clear the steep face.

Forget distance and prioritize escape

Pot bunkers call for damage control. Getting out safely is the only goal that matters.

Use a steep angle of attack

A vertical, descending motion pops the ball up quickly and avoids the deep lip.

Accept limited options

Sometimes sideways or backwards is the only realistic escape. That’s not failure—it’s strategy.

Church Pew Bunkers: Psychological Warfare

Made famous at Oakmont, church pew bunkers are long stretches of sand divided by thick grass ridges. They demand precision, discipline, and ego control.

How to play it:

Evaluate your lie and stance

Your position—deep in sand or awkwardly balanced on a ridge—determines what shots are even possible.

Clear the next ridge first

Distance is secondary. Your priority is advancing past the next obstacle safely.

Take the smart exit when needed

If you must punch out, do it. Protect your scorecard.

Match your club to your task

A wedge helps with height and control; a mid-iron works when you can advance the ball cleanly through the sand.

 

The Final Takeaway

What separates elite bunker players from everyone else isn’t raw talent — it’s confidence. Step into the sand with doubt, and the bunker wins. Step in with a plan, and suddenly the shot becomes an opportunity rather than a threat.

Each type of bunker simply asks for something different.
Fairway bunkers demand precision and disciplined contact.
Greenside bunkers reward good technique and commitment through the sand.
Waste bunkers require adaptability and creativity.
Pot bunkers test your patience and humility.
And church pew bunkers challenge your discipline and decision-making.

Master the specific approach for each situation, trust your mechanics, and you’ll quickly turn bunker shots from round-ruiners into scoring opportunities. With the right mindset and the right strategy, sand becomes less of a hazard and more of a place to showcase your skill.