Build a Better Bunker Setup: Lessons from a PGA Tour Winner

For most amateur golfers, bunker shots are among the most intimidating in the game. You’re standing in the sand, trying to make a controlled swing—and too often, the result is either a chunk or a skull across the green.

But what if the issue isn’t your swing?

What if it’s your setup?

This week, we’re teaming up with PGA Tour winner and short game coach Parker McLachlin—aka The Short Game Chef—to walk you through the modern bunker setup used by today’s top players.

Watch the video breakdown here

A Modern Take on Bunker Setup

Forget the outdated advice of aiming way left and chopping across the ball. The modern approach is much more neutral—and much more effective.

Here’s a breakdown of Parker’s setup for a standard greenside bunker shot:

✅ Feet wider than a driver stance

You want a wide, stable base. Think “squat” rather than “stand tall.” This helps your body stay low through the swing.

✅ Sit down and let your arms hang

Add a little squat at address, which lets his arms hang naturally and helps lower the handle. This lower hand position allows you to open the face without aiming it way off target.

✅ Low hands = more neutral alignment

A common problem with bunker shots is that opening the face causes it to aim too far right. By lowering the hands, the open face now points closer to your target, reducing the need to over-adjust your stance.

✅ Square stance—not open

Because the clubface is already aiming correctly, You can stay relatively square to the target.

✅ Ball position slightly forward of center

You’ll never see a top bunker player with the ball too far back. That only encourages digging into the sand too early.

✅ Neutral shaft lean

Too much forward shaft lean shuts the face and buries the leading edge. A neutral shaft encourages the club to glide through the sand using the bounce.

✅ Shoulder pitch controls entry point

One of the most overlooked elements: your shoulder angle controls where the club enters the sand. If your lead shoulder gets too high (tilted back), your club will dig way too far behind the ball. Keeping the shoulders more level helps you hit that ideal 2-inch entry point.

The Result? Better Contact, Every Time

Most bunker struggles start before you even swing the club. By fixing your setup—feet, posture, alignment, and shoulder pitch—you’re giving yourself a chance to hit quality shots, every time.

Parker breaks this all down (and more) in the opening lessons of his Modern Bunker Series.

👉 Watch the first two videos here

Thanks for reading! We hope this gives you a better understanding of how to play bunker shots like the pros. If you found it helpful, feel free to share it with a fellow golfer who dreads the sand.

Have questions? Let us know—we’d love to hear from you!

Talk to you next week!