Wet Sand Bunker Shots – 5 Simple Tricks & Drills to Escape Every Time

If you struggle with bunker shots, then you must be terrified of wet bunker shots. While these two shots differ, there’s no reason to fear a wet bunker; in some cases, it could even work to your advantage.

A wet bunker will allow for more roll on the ball and will be beneficial for longer shots. But even if you have a short wet bunker shot, you only need to make a few adjustments to create a consistent swing that will easily help your ball out of the damp sand and onto the green.

Use the tips below to learn the intricacies of wet vs. dry sand and then apply that knowledge through the use of the bunker drills that follow.

Wet Sand Bunker Shots (Key Takeaways)

Use these key takeaways to improve your shots from wet bunkers immediately:

• Create a solid foundation to keep your lower body stable.
• Focus on torso rotation and less on arms and wrists.
• Choose a club with less bounce.
• Enter the sand closer to the ball than you would in dry sand.
• Do not open your club face too much.

Technique for Wet Sand Bunker Success

With just a few adjustments, you can exit wet bunkers with ease. Arming yourself with this shot can be the difference between par and bogey.

Take a Solid Stance

Wet sand can be unstable, so the first thing to do when addressing the ball is to find sound footing. The rules allow you to take a stance and secure your feet, but be sure not to overdo it.

Too much digging can be interpreted as testing the conditions, which is a penalty under Rule 12.2 in the USGA Rulebook.

Checkpoints of a solid stance in a wet bunker:

• Feet secure with a slightly open stance
• Ball in the middle or just behind center
• Weight favors the front foot
• Clubface square or slightly open

Eliminate Arms and Wrists

A lot can go wrong with any bunker shot, so it’s best to minimize any unnecessary movement.

Many amateurs use their hands, wrists, and arms in an attempt to make a small swing, but this creates inconsistency.

Your torso should drive your swing. Keeping your wrists in a neutral position throughout the swing is paramount for getting the ball up and down out of the bunker. Use HackMotion to monitor your wrist flex and ensure your chest is rotating in your backswing.

If you don’t have Hackmotion, then ask a friend to watch your swing. They will be able to tell you if you’re flexing or extending too much.

However, it may be tougher for them to detect if you’re flipping at impact, which is very detrimental and can be identified much more easily with Hackmotion.

Use Less Bounce

If your setup and posture are good and your Hackmotion indicates that your wrists are flexing correctly throughout the swing, but you’re still producing poor shots, then it might be your wedge.

The angle between the ground and the leading edge is referred to as the bounce. Bounces range from 8° to 14°.

A general rule of thumb is the wetter the sand, the less bounce needed. If your shots are coming out too soft and you’re having trouble with further targets, try using a wedge with less bounce to help your club glide through the heavy sand better.

• Video Timestamp: 0:51 – 1:41

Hit Closer to the Ball

In a typical dry bunker shot, you’d enter the sand just behind the ball. In wet sand, however, aim to enter closer so you don’t risk digging in too deep.

The compactness of the damp sand produces far less cushion, so a large chunk of sand will deaden your shot.

Hitting closer to the ball reduces the mass of sand between your club and the ball, producing a cleaner strike and propelling the ball with more energy, which is necessary to escape the heavy sand. This is even more important when learning how to hit fairway bunker shots.

Here is a rough guide outlining how far behind the ball you should make contact with the sand, depending on the sand type, loft, and bounce of your club.

Loft, Bounce	52.08° greenside	56.10° greenside	60.12° greenside	52.08° over 40 yds	56.10° over 40 yds	60.12° over 40 yds
Dry Sand	N/A	1”	2”	.25”	.5”	N/A
Wet Sand	0”	.5”	1”	0”	0”	N/A

Keep Your Lower Body Stable

Because wet sand provides less support underfoot than dry sand, you don’t want to make an aggressive leg drive or lateral move. Resist this urge and maintain a stable, planted lower body throughout the swing.

This stability allows you to control the steepness and consistency of your strike. Staying grounded keeps your contact solid and helps prevent fat or thin shots.

Drills for Wet Sand Bunker Shots

Practicing out of wet bunkers is easy; all you need is a practice bunker and a bucket of water. You can use these drills in both dry and wet sand to see how the club interacts with the sand differently.

Hit the Line

Your entry point into the sand is crucial. After you’ve practiced your setup and technique, you can put it to the test with this drill. You can use an alignment stick or simply use your finger to draw the necessary lines.

Pro Tip: If you draw long lines and start at one end, you’ll be able to hit multiple practice shots before having to re-draw the lines.

• Video Timestamp: 1:14 – 2:30

One Hand Sand Drill

To really get your point of contact dialed in, use the one-handed sand drill.

This drill is fairly self-explanatory, but one mistake most amateurs make is relying solely on their arms and wrists. With this drill, focus on using your torso and keeping your arms and wrists still.

Chopsticks Drill

You will need alignment sticks and a rubber band for this one, but it’s great for mastering delicate wet bunker shots. Sometimes, the closer you are to the green, the harder the shot becomes, and we want to ensure this doesn’t happen.

You can use Hackmotion as an added security measure to help ensure your wrists stay in a neutral position.

• Video Timestamp: 8:10 – 10:40

Hammer Release Drill

This drill helps you generate speed through impact to help the ball out of wet bunkers, while also directing you to a proper follow-through.

To avoid displacing too much sand, work on releasing the clubhead correctly.

FAQs

Do you play out of wet sand the same way as playing out of dry sand?

No, you don’t play out of wet sand the same way as dry sand. You must hit closer to the ball and take less sand. This is made easier by adjusting your stance and choosing a club with less bounce.

Why are wet bunkers harder to play from than dry bunkers?

Wet bunkers are harder to play from because they are firmer and the sand compacts, making it harder for your club to slide under the ball. As a result, the ball can come out low and fast if you use the same technique as for dry sand.

What role do the wrists play when attempting wet bunker shots?

The wrists should be quiet throughout the swing. Only slightly flexing and extending. You can monitor this through the Hackmotion sensors to ensure you’re doing the right thing, and then track your progress using the provided app.

Should I use a different club in a wet bunker?

Yes, you should use a different club in wet bunkers. Consider using a sand wedge with less bounce (8–10°), especially if the sand feels extremely firm. A lower bounce stops the club from deflecting off the hard surface and blading the shot.

How deep should I swing into the sand in a wet bunker?

Take less sand than you would in a dry bunker; about half an inch behind the ball is ideal. In wet sand, the club doesn’t glide, so going too deep stops your swing and leaves the ball in the bunker.

Should I hit the ball first or the sand first in wet bunkers?

You should still aim to hit a small amount of sand just before the ball, not the ball first. Hitting the ball first will often result in a bladed shot. But don’t go too deep, just skim the surface behind the ball.

Final Thoughts

Hitting out of wet sand is nothing to be scared of. Once you’ve adjusted your stance, optimized your technique, and practiced with the appropriate drills, you’ll be able to exit wet bunkers with ease and maybe even sink a shot or two.

Tracking your practice routines and wrist action is paramount to ensure you’re improving. You can easily do this with Hackmotion and even explore hundreds of other drills and tips specifically designed to help you get more consistent in all aspects of your game.