The Long Bunker Shot
Why this drill
Thirty yards from sand is the hardest shot in golf by acclaim — too far to splash, too close to swing full. The fix is a decision made in advance: more club, less sand, ordinary swing. Practiced ten times, the monster shrinks to a technique.
Setup
A fairway or long greenside bunker with 25-40 yards to a target, ten balls, pitching wedge and 9-iron. Clean, unplugged lies.
The drill
Take the 9-iron or pitching wedge — two clubs more than the distance suggests — and make a three-quarter pitch swing taking a shallow cushion of sand, thinner than the greenside splash. Ball slightly back, weight favoring the lead side, quiet legs. Ten balls scored within a flag-length radius. Expect the misses long at first: that's the correct error, proof you finally took enough club. The wrong error — fat and short in the sand — is the one this drill exists to retire.
One thought to take with you
Club up, swim shallow — thin sand, full commitment.