Peter Finch
Seeing a golf ball nestled in a fairway bunker is enough to send some golfers into a fear-induced frenzy, with the penal sand traps often sapping shots from their scorecard due to one common fault... the setup.
A large part of mastering how to hit out of fairway bunkers comes before you even move the golf club, with the setup arguably being the most crucial component for how to hit a bunker shot.
The latest Shot Scope data paints a bleak picture for amateur golfers in terms of their success when hitting out of a fairway bunker, but we are here to help you defy the odds.
In this article, Golf Monthly Top 50 Coach and PGA professional Peter Finch shares his expert tips on how to make four key fairway bunker setup changes so that you can escape the sand first time (every time)...
Fairway Bunker Setup Changes
Peter Finch is one of the most recognisable PGA professionals in the world, delivering online free lessons to golfers across the globe with a combined social following of almost one million people.
In his coaching career, Peter Finch has supported golfers of all abilities to play better golf and shoot lower scores.
Your first priority on any visit to a fairway bunker is to get out with your first shot. There are few things more frustrating than having to hit two, three (or more) shots to escape the sand, but this is the reality for so many amateur golfers.
However, by making a few crucial changes at setup, you can forget all of that and stride into the sand with confidence every single time.
Firstly, choose a club that gives you enough loft to clear the lip but also gives you a decent distance boost. This club might not allow you to reach the green, but sometimes you have to just take your medicine on the golf course.
Being too aggressive could leave you playing again before reaching for the rake, so in the video below you will see that I have opted for an 8-iron to strike that perfect balance.
Having the perfect ball position is also extremely important in a fairway bunker, so take time to ensure you have given this setup fundamental the necessary attention.
For an 8-iron, position the ball in the middle of your stance, and for a longer iron move it slightly further back to ensure a clean ball then sand contact.
An easy way to perfect your ball position is to stand with your feet together in line with the golf ball, then take a small step out with your lead and your trail foot to ensure the ball is nicely centred.
Shuffle your feet into the sand to create a nice stable base, and grip down the club a little to decrease the length of the club and to add some extra control in your swing. This will help to prevent the club from digging into the sand.
In terms of weight distribution, keep around 60 percent of your weight on your lead side throughout the swing, and grip the club firmly.
Implementing these simple adjustments at setup will drastically improve your ability to play fairway bunkers shots, helping you to shoot lower scores and lower your handicap.
The perfect ball position in the fairway bunker is crucial, so try practicing with a line in the sand to ensure you are mastering this crucial component
How Often Do Amateurs Hit The Green From Fairway Bunkers?
According to the latest Shot Scope data, the chances of the average amateur golfer hitting the green in regulation from a bunker is just 26%.
That's less than half the chance of hitting the green from the rough (55%), highlighting the importance of perfecting your setup and technique when playing these very tricky shots on the golf course.
What is the difference between a fairway bunker and a greenside bunker?
A fairway bunker can be situated at various points between the tee box and the green, and are usually strategically placed as part of the golf course design in order to force golfers into shot shaping or to create a risk-reward aspect to the hole.
A greenside bunker is always situated around the green complex, usually to capture wayward approach shots. The slopes of certain greens can tilt towards greenside bunkers, bringing them into play if a golfer lands the ball on the wrong portion.
The size, shape and depth of a bunker varies from course-to-course and hole-to-hole, requiring a variety of different shots to escape successfully without a big score on the card.
Both greenside and fairway bunkers are designed to test golfers of all abilities, but many amateurs (particularly high-handicappers) struggle to navigate this challenge effectively.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
-
Ian Poulter's Son Painfully Misses Out On US Open Debut Via Playoff Despite Fantastic Second Round In Final QualifyingLuke Poulter produced a brilliant second round at Emerald Dunes Golf Club in Florida but missed out on a guaranteed first Major championship start
-
UPS Driver DQ'd From US Open Final Qualifying After Agonizing ErrorUPS driver, Nick Barrett had put himself in a solid position after 18 holes at Final Qualifying before his dream of reaching the US Open was taken away
-
This Simple Golf Hack Is ILLEGAL On The Course... But Every Amateur Should Try It When Practicing!Head to the driving range armed with Peter Finch's golf hack for finding more fairways. It might be banned on the course - but you have to try it in practice!
-
When Should I Putt From The Fringe? This Data Will Challenge Your Short Game MindsetLots of golfers would benefit from putting when on the fringe or just off the green, but when should you opt for the putter over a wedge? Neil Marr explains...
-
Are You Tired Of Your High-Handicap Golfer Status? These 4 Substantiated Tips Are Your SalvationBeing a high-handicap golfer is not easy, with consistency being difficult to establish and progress hard to come by... until you try these four simple tips!
-
Do You Know How Many Golfers Break 80? I Do... And I Can Help You Join This Incredibly Exclusive ClubWant to know how to break 80 in golf, either for the first time or more consistently? Our seven data-informed tips will help you get over the line in 2025
