TECHNIK · SAND WEDGE

The Sand Wedge — Bunker mechanics from 60.

The bunker shot is often the most feared shot for seniors — but with the right technique, it becomes a calculable routine. Three mechanical adjustments dramatically change bunker performance. What bunker science says.

MMy first senior wedge coaching session after turning 60 was a bunker lesson. Up until then, my up-and-down percentage from greenside bunkers had been about 15 %. After the lesson—and three weeks of practice—it was 55 %. The difference wasn’t a new wedge or a new swing. It was three mechanical details that I hadn’t paid attention to before.

The sand wedge is the most versatile bunker club for seniors. With 54-58° of loft and high bounce (10-14°), it's specifically designed for sand shots. Three mechanical adjustments—stance, clubface, and point of contact with the sand—make bunker shots a predictable routine.

Three Mechanical Bunker Adjustments

Adaptation 1 - Wide Stance + Knee Bend

✓ STABLE BASE.

Stand with your feet about twice shoulder-width apart, knees bent noticeably, and 60 % of your weight on your front leg. This position lowers your center of gravity and provides the stable base needed for a bunker shot—which is especially important for seniors.

Adjustment 2 - Open face 30°

✓ INCREASE LOFT EFFECTIVENESS.

Open the clubface by about 30° (after rotating the shaft to the right for right-handed players). This increases the effective loft from 56° to around 65° – a prerequisite for a high trajectory out of the sand.

Adjustment 3 - Sand 5-7 cm behind ball

DO NOT HIT THE BALL.

Classic mistake: hitting the ball directly. Correct: hit the sand 5-7 cm behind the ball; the sand propels the ball out. Practical visualization: a banknote under the ball—knock out the banknote.

55 %

Up-and-Down-Quote from Greenside Bunkers with Good Bunker Mechanics

MyTPI Senior Performance Database 2024

Comparison: Senior golfers without specific bunker training average 15–20 %. A massive factor in improving scores.

Three Tips for Bunker Mastery

Tip 1 — Full Follow-Through

No „getting stuck”.

Most common senior mistake: „getting stuck” swing in the sand. Correct: full follow-through, the club swings completely through. Senior players are often afraid of too much power—wrong, the sand slows it down enough.

Tip 2 - Learn the Sand Distance Scale

✓ PRACTICE THREE DISTANCES.

Bunker: 5m, 10m, 15m. These three distances are standard. Regulate with swing tempo – not with swing length. Swing length remains the same (three-quarters), tempo varies.

Tip 3 — Establish a Bunker Routine

REDUCE MENTAL PRESSURE.

Pre-shot routine specifically for bunkers: 1) Test sand with foot, 2) Visualize ball flight, 3) Two practice swings without touching sand, 4) Swing. Routine reduces mental pressure.

There’s no scary shot in golf if you have the right technique. Bunkers used to terrify senior golfers. Now they’re just another shot — provided you’ve learned the three fundamentals.

— Dave Pelz, Short Game Coach

Three principles for senior bunker success.

Mechanic strikes Mut

Bunker Strike is a 90 % technique and a 10 % courage move. With these three mechanical fundamentals, it becomes a predictable routine.

Open loft, do not play

Senior players often try to „hit the ball high.” Wrong. Open the clubface, then swing normally — the loft makes it go high.

Maintain follow-through

No getting stuck in the sand. Full follow-through is the most important senior bunker adjustment. Trust the loft, swing all the way through.

On this page

ON THIS PAGE

01 Three mechanical adjustments

02 Three tips for technology

03 What the bunker routine doesn't replace

Mathias Struwe

PUBLISHER · HCP 31 · 68 YRS.

55 %

Up-and-down quote with good mechanics.

REFERENCE

Lamontagne et al. (2021): Senior Golf Biomechanics. MyTPI (2020): The Golf Body. Rose, G. & Phillips, D. (2018): The Golf Body. Trackman Performance Database 2024. PGA Tour Stats 2014–2024.

What the bunker mechanic does not replace

The three bunker mechanics make the bunker shot a routine matter—but they don’t replace the putt that follows, nor do they replace avoiding the bunker through better course management. A bunker save rate of 50 % still means 50 % bogeys from the bunker. The best bunker strategy is to avoid them.

THREE FIRST STEPS

How to Achieve Bunker Mastery in 30 Days

Bunker lesson with PGA Pro

A 60-minute lesson with a Pro specifically for bunkers. €80-120. Three mechanical fundamentals are trained. Greatest single lever for bunker performance.

Daily Bunker Drill

For one week, 20 bunker shots daily at the practice bunker. Visualization: money bill drill. Measure up-and-down percentage weekly — typically, improvement visible within 2 weeks.

Establish a pre-shot routine

Defined bunker routine: Sand check, visualization, two practice swings, swing. Apply consistently on the next hole — reduces mental pressure.