Sand Trap Basics for Beginners

Sand Trap Basics for Beginners

How to Handle the Sand Like a Fun Golfer

So you’ve landed in the sand. Don’t panic. It happens to the best of us—some people even seem magnetically drawn to bunkers. But instead of freezing or freaking out, here are some basic tips to help you get out smoothly and look like you actually know what you’re doing.

1. Choose the Right Club

Close to the green? Grab your sand wedge and focus on popping the ball up and out.
Far from the hole? You might want to use a low iron (like a 7 or 8) to get distance while escaping the bunker.

2. Approach the Sand Like a Pro

Bring the rake with you when you step into the bunker.
Minimize footprints—don’t stomp around or march back and forth like a lost explorer.
Stay off the bunker edges—stepping on the ledges can ruin the bunker’s shape.

3. No Practice Swings in the Sand

You CANNOT ground your club before hitting the ball. That means no practice swings that touch the sand. Just step in, take your stance, and commit to the shot.

4. Go Deep

When you swing, you want to hit the sand behind the ball to lift it out—sometimes this means a big splash (which is why you might find sand in your mouth, ears, and eyes… true story).

5. Rake Like You Care

Once you’ve escaped, rake the sand as neatly as possible. Imagine if your ball landed in someone’s footprint—you wouldn’t love that, would you?
Bunker etiquette varies—some courses want rakes left inside, others outside. Follow the course’s rules.
At some private clubs, the last players of the day don’t have to rake because groundskeepers refresh the bunkers overnight. That one felt very weird.

6. Count Every Stroke (Even When You Black Out in the Bunker)

Yes, every single hit counts.
If you feel like you’ve taken so many shots that you’ve lost count, this is where a golf stroke counter bracelet comes in handy.
The sand can be mentally tough—sometimes it feels like the bunker is messing with your whole scorekeeping system.

7. Embrace the Bunker’s Nicknames

The Beach
The Kitty Litter
The Sand Trap 

Whatever you call it, just know that everyone ends up there at some point. The key is to keep your cool, follow these basics, and move on to the next shot like a pro.
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