Bunker Technique for Different Sand Conditions | Titleist Tips

Learning how to hit bunker shots in different sand conditions (firm vs fluffy) is one of the fastest ways to improve your short game. Titleist staff member Joanna Coe shows how the letters "V" and "U" can serve as your key to tackle any type of lie and escape any bunker you face.

One of the challenges of bunker play is that you can’t test the surface with the club. The best read comes from your feet. By digging in at setup, golfers can get a feel for the sand and start to understand how the club needs to move through the shot.

Using the simple visual of a “V” and a “U,” this lesson breaks down how setup, weight distribution and swing shape can help golfers adjust to firm versus fluffy bunker conditions. From a steeper, more precise motion to a shallower, more rounded one, the goal is to match the swing to the lie and create better control from the sand.

Chapters
0:00 Why Bunker Conditions Matter
0:17 You Can’t Test the Sand
0:29 Read the Sand With Your Feet
0:44 Firm vs. Fluffy Sand
1:24 The V vs. U Concept
1:50 Hard Pan Bunker Setup
2:34 How to Play the V Shape
3:13 Why Firm Sand Creates More Spin
3:37 What Changes in Fluffy Sand
4:31 Transition to the U Shape
4:40 Fluffy Lie Setup Adjustments
5:07 How to Swing the U Shape
5:55 Why the Ball Rolls Out More
6:02 Final Bunker Key: Dig In and Decide

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