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Struggling to escape the bunker? PGA and LPGA Master Professional Dr. Alison Curdt breaks down exactly why the ball keeps staying in the sand — and what to change to get it out high and soft. This live lesson format makes the fixes easy to understand and apply straight away.
Dr. Alison Curdt – Short Game
Dr. Alison Curdt works through a common bunker fault in real time, showing how a square club face and digging action combine to kill trajectory before the ball even leaves the sand. Using a student demo, she explains the relationship between the lead wrist position and the club face — and why opening both up is the key to getting out every time. If bunkers are costing you shots, this one is worth watching in full.
Key Takeaways
Open the face at address
Open the face at address
Before you grip the club, twist the face to the right (for right-handers) so it is genuinely open — a square face leads to digging and low, trapped shots.
Cup your lead wrist throughout the swing
Keeping the lead wrist in extension (cupped) holds the face open from backswing to follow-through, allowing the back of the club to splash through the sand rather than dig into it.
Play the ball forward and use a wide stance
Positioning the ball closer to your front foot, combined with a wider stance and pressure on the lead side, helps the club glide under the ball and send it up high and soft over the lip.
Head to the practice bunker with just your sand wedge and work through these three adjustments one at a time — face open, wrist cupped, ball forward — before putting them together. This video suits anyone who regularly leaves the ball in the bunker or takes too much sand, and the live lesson format means you can see exactly what the correct technique looks and feels like.
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