Stop Shanking Bunker Shots: Aiming Tips

A golfer demonstrates a bunker shot technique.

Scottsdale, December 28, 2025 – For years, golfers have been told to open their stance when facing a greenside bunker, aiming left of the target to compensate for an open clubface. But that advice, once considered basic, may now be hindering your sand game.Modern wedge technology demands a shift in approach, and aiming left could be the very thing preventing you from consistently escaping the sand.

Did you know? – Modern golf wedges are designed with increased bounce,reducing the need for an open stance in bunker shots. This allows for a more natural swing path and improved consistency.

Rethinking the Bunker Setup

Are outdated techniques sabotaging your short game? A golf instructor explains why a square stance and lowered handle are key to bunker success.

• Customary bunker instruction often emphasizes an open stance.
• Modern wedges perform best with a square setup.
• Lowering the handle helps square the clubface.
• focusing on a target-oriented swing path improves consistency.

Keith Bennett, an instructor at McCormick Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale, recently shared insights on Instagram explaining that the primary goal in a bunker is to maintain energy moving toward the target. “When we set up open,” Bennett explains, “we’re going to do some funky things to try and make it all come together.”

He further elaborates on the compensations golfers make when adopting an open stance. “When I’m open to the left like this, I’m going to have to try to drop my shoulder, get the swing direction more towards the target line, towards that flag.” These adjustments frequently lead to entering the sand prematurely, resulting in chunked or bladed shots. An open stance can also ingrain poor habits that are arduous to correct.

“I’m also more likely to kind of drag the handle to keep that clubhead working down the target line,” Bennett says.

Two Setup Keys for a Better Bunker Game

Instead of opening up, Bennett advocates for two simple adjustments: a square stance and a lowered handle. Setting up square to the target line allows the clubhead to release naturally through the sand.

“[When we’re square] the energy of the club’s going down the target line and if you’re splashing sand towards the target, you can make that nice, shallow divot,” he says.

Pro tip – Practice swinging in slow motion to feel the correct path and impact point. Focus on maintaining a consistent swing length and avoiding deceleration through the sand.

Lowering the handle is equally notable, as it helps offset an open clubface. “If I lower the handle, the face starts to become more square to the target line,” Bennett explains. The result is a high, soft bunker shot that lands softly near the flag. Consistent practice with these techniques should build both consistency and confidence in your bunker play.

Reader question – have you tried adjusting your bunker technique? What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them? Share your thoughts!

Why the change? traditional bunker instruction focused on manipulating the clubface with an open stance. Who is impacted? Golfers of all skill levels who have been taught this method. what is happening? Modern wedge technology, particularly increased bounce, allows for a more natural, square swing.How did it end? Keith Bennett’s insights, shared on Instagram, are prompting a re-evaluation of bunker technique, emphasizing a square stance and lowered handle for improved consistency and control.