Bunker tips: How to play the downhill bunker shot

Bunker shots are hard enough when you've got a good lie, so what do you do when your ball has come to rest against the back lip?

It’s a scene that often leaves scorecards in tatters. Whether it’s because the sand is wet or your ball has crashed into the front lip, you’re faced with a downhill bunker shot. So what do you do? Let’s take a look in this short video…

How to play the downhill bunker shot: The main points

First of all, when you’re on a downslope in the bunker the ball is going to come out lower so it’s important to be realistic with what you can achieve. If hitting to a tight pin for example, chances are you’re not going to hit it stone dead so make sure you at least give yourself a putt for the up and down.

As for the technique, there are a few things I like to see.

It’s vital that you resist the urge to try and help the ball into the air so match the angle of your knees, hips and shoulders to the angle of the slope. This will give you the best chance of creating the same strike pattern and depth of strike as if you were on a flat lie.

Into the follow through and where normally the club would release past the hands, when faced with a downhill lie, I encourage a finish that I describe as keeping the loft on low.

Want to learn more about this? You’ll have to watch the video…

This bunker tips video was filmed at Lumine Golf Club, host venue of the 2019 European Tour Qualifying School. For more information, visit their website.