Your better-golfer friend, husband, or wife may offer advice on getting out of the sand, but their tips might not work for you. Why? First, they might be stronger than you, so their strength overtakes their technique. Second, they’ve likely honed their technique over years of practice. And third, they may not be explaining it in a way that clicks for you. This can be frustrating and make you dread bunker shots even more.

The traditional method—opening the clubface, quickly picking up the club on the backswing, and coming down steeply into the sand with a short follow-through—might not suit you. Here's a different, more reliable approach for weekend golfers to escape bunkers, and it’s a total game-changer.

Bunkers can be intimidating for many weekend golfers, especially beginners, getting out of the sand can be especially challenging due to a few key factors:

The Sand Wedge Weight: The sand wedge is typically the heaviest club in your set. For women or junior golfers who may lack upper body strength, swinging this club can be difficult.
Steep Swings: If you come into the sand too steeply, the sand can easily stop the club’s momentum. This is particularly problematic for golfers who don't have the upper body strength to power through the sand.
Clubhead Speed: Getting the ball out of the bunker requires a certain amount of clubhead speed. According to studies, most higher handicappers, particularly those new to the game or lacking in upper body strength, struggle to generate the speed needed to propel the ball out of the sand.

If you find yourself struggling with these issues, here’s a simple, reliable technique that might work better for you:

The Shallow Sweep Technique 'U vs. V'

This technique emphasizes a shallow, sweeping "U"-shaped swing through the sand, instead of the traditional steep, "V"-shaped swing that many lower handicappers use.

1. Choose a Lighter Club with Less Loft and Bounce:

For high-handicap players who struggle with sand shots, the bounce on a sand wedge can sometimes make things more difficult. Bounce is the curved section of the sole that helps the club glide through the sand rather than dig in. While bounce can be helpful for skilled players, for those who don't have a lot of experience or control in the bunker, it can actually cause the club to "bounce" off the sand too soon, leading to thin shots or leaving the ball in the bunker.

Instead, choose a lighter club with less loft and bounce, like a pitching wedge or 9-iron. These clubs have a sharper leading edge, which can cut through the sand more easily, offering less resistance. With less bounce, the club is more likely to dig slightly into the sand, giving high-handicap players more control and consistency when getting out of bunkers.

2. Adjust Your Stance:

If you’re a beginner who struggles to get out of the sand, try moving away from the traditional open stance often recommended for bunker shots. For many higher-handicap players, an open stance can make the downswing too steep and cause you to cut across the ball, leading to inconsistent results.

Instead, use a square stance with your feet more aligned to the target. This stance creates a wider, shallower arc in your swing, allowing the club to glide through the sand instead of digging in too steeply. Standing square also gives you more freedom in your backswing, letting you swing more freely and generate additional clubhead speed.

While a traditional open stance might work for better players, it often restricts the backswing for beginners, leading to a steep, chopping motion that’s harder to control. By switching to a square stance that’s more in line with your regular swing, you simplify the process. This makes sand shots easier, more consistent, and yields better results—without having to remember so many extra steps.

3. Play the Ball Forward and Focus on a Shallow Entry:

Position the ball slightly forward in your stance and aim your clubhead about two inches behind it. Keep your shaft and hands in line with the impact area, avoiding pressing your hands forward, which can lead to a steep, digging motion—the opposite of what you want. Instead, let the clubhead skim through the sand before reaching the ball. Focus on making contact with the sand an inch or two behind the ball, maintaining a square clubface. Visualize a "U"-shaped swing, brushing through the sand at the bottom of the arc. This shallow, sweeping technique helps prevent the club from getting stuck in the sand and is far more forgiving for higher handicappers compared to the steep "V"-shaped swing lower handicappers often use.

4. Swing Longer and Follow-Through:

Don’t stress over hitting the perfect distance—your primary goal is to get the ball out of the sand on the first try. Landing close to the hole is just a bonus. Instead, focus on making a longer backswing and follow-through that sweeps through the sand, gently lifting the ball out. Make your swing longer than you might expect for a short shot, ensuring the club enters the sand with enough speed to glide through smoothly. Follow through all the way—the sand will naturally try to slow down your club, so you need to accelerate through to prevent the club from sticking in the sand.

5. Hover Your Clubhead Above the Sand at Address:

According to the Rules of Golf, you cannot ground your club in a bunker (a hazard) before making your shot (Rule 12.2b). This means you'll need to hover your clubhead slightly above the sand at address. Since you can’t touch the sand beforehand, a slight downward motion at impact is required to catch the sand just behind the ball. A helpful thought to keep in mind is to aim for a soft “thump” as the club strikes the sand—this will ensure you’re hitting the sand properly, without digging in too steeply.

Why This Technique Works

This approach minimizes the reliance on upper body strength and speed, focusing instead on technique and control. By using a lighter club, adopting a wider stance, and focusing on a shallow swing, you can increase your chances of getting out of the bunker successfully without needing to overpower the shot.

A Study to Consider:

A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that women generally produce less clubhead speed than men, which can make traditional bunker techniques less effective. This shallow sweep technique compensates for that by reducing the need for brute strength and focuses more on creating a longer swing arc that naturally carries more momentum into the sand naturally.

If you’ve struggled with traditional bunker techniques, this shallow sweep approach might be the key to improving your sand play. Remember, every golfer is different, and finding a technique that suits your strengths is essential to success on the course. Give this method a try, and you might find yourself escaping bunkers more consistently and with less stress.