We’d all love to play bunker shots from soft, fluffy sand like the pros do. But for most amateur golfers, that’s not reality. If you play early morning rounds, winter golf or at courses that don’t rake the bunkers regularly, you’re going to run into wet, compacted sand. The traditional “splash it out” method isn’t going to work quite the same way. Here’s a reliable plan for handling wet or compacted sand, including how to adjust your setup, what club to use and how to practice this tough shot.
Step-by-step: How to hit from wet or compacted sand
Evaluate the lie with your feet
Not all wet and compacted sand is the same. Since you’re not allowed to test the sand with your club, you can try to get a general feel for things with your feet.
Gently wiggle your feet during setup to feel the firmness. If you can’t sink in, it’s likely compacted. If your feet sink in easily, there’s likely more sand under the surface.
Square the clubface more than usual
In firm sand, the club is more likely to bounce off the surface. Slightly squaring the face helps the leading edge cut in cleanly.
You’ll want to eliminate the chance of a bladed wedge shot on this lie so keep the clubface square.
Strike closer to the ball
A traditional bunker shot from fluffy sand has you hitting about two inches behind the ball. This impact location lets your ball float out on a nice pile of sand. In firm sand, that’s not what will happen. You’ll probably chunk it if you try to hit two inches behind it.
- Aim to strike about a half-inch behind the ball.
- You’re playing this more like a chip than a full bunker explosion.
This cleaner strike helps avoid the club sticking or bouncing unpredictably.
Keep the shaft neutral, not leaning forward
Too much shaft lean eliminates bounce and causes digging. It also takes away some of the natural loft of the club. Keep the shaft neutral on this shot and ensure that the face is square. This should help let the bounce do its job and get the ball out easily.
Your ball position can be in the center or slightly forward of center for this shot.
Stay committed and turn through
When sand is wet, it slows the club down. If you stop turning, the club sticks in the wet sand and the ball stays in the bunker. You’ll need to commit to this shot and keep your arms and chest turning through impact. Be just a little more aggressive and think “mini chip shot with a splash.”
What club should you use?
Gaining confidence in the bunker sometimes means using a sand wedge or lob wedge that you feel comfortable with. However, if you are capable of changing things up a little and switching between clubs, here are some general suggestions based on the lie:
| Bunker Lie | What to Look For | Recommended Club & Setup |
|---|---|---|
| Hard-packed, shallow or wet sand | Feet don’t sink, tight lie | Sand wedge (54–56°), square face, compact swing with acceleration |
| Firm top, sand underneath | Crusty surface but feet sink slightly | Lob wedge (58–60°), slightly open face, splash motion |
| Plugged or puddled | Visible puddle or buried ball | Sand wedge, square face, steep descending blow |
| Fluffy or recently raked | Feet sink easily, soft feel | Lob wedge, open face, normal bunker explosion shot |
How to practice this shot
Most golfers avoid practicing from bad lies but that’s exactly where you learn the most. You may have to create these shots in your practice bunker, but it’s worth it.
- Find the firmest practice bunker you can. Go in the morning if possible.
- Spray water on a small section of sand to simulate real conditions.
- Draw lines behind the ball in the sand to train hitting closer—try half-inch and one-inch lines.
Final thoughts
Wet or compacted bunkers aren’t fun but they’re manageable with a few smart adjustments. Treat them more like chip shots—less about blasting, more about nipping the ball out cleanly with control.
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