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PGA Golf Coach Erika Larkin tackles one of the most overlooked causes of the bladed bunker shot — and it’s simpler than you might think. In this short video, she explains why so many golfers look at the wrong spot in the sand and how shifting your focus point can transform your technique. If bunkers make you nervous, this one is worth a watch.
Erika Larkin – Short Game
The bladed bunker shot is one of the most frustrating mistakes in golf, but Erika Larkin argues the fix comes down to one fundamental misunderstanding: where your club is actually making contact. In this video, she breaks down why so many golfers struggle to take sand at all — and what to change in your visual focus and swing to get the ball out cleanly. It suits anyone who tenses up over bunker shots and swings too tentatively as a result.
Key Takeaways
The blade happens because you hit the ball, not the sand:When you thin a bunker shot, your club has struck the ball first rather than displacing the sand beneath it — understanding this is the first step to fixing it.
The blade happens because you hit the ball, not the sand:When you thin a bunker shot, your club has struck the ball first rather than displacing the sand beneath it — understanding this is the first step to fixing it.
Look at the sand, not the ball:Many golfers aim their eyes at the top of the ball and then wonder why they can’t take a proper divot of sand — shifting your visual focus point to where you want the club to enter changes everything.
Match your swing size to the shot:Once you trust the sand contact, you can commit to a fuller, more confident swing — even on a short 10 to 15-yard bunker shot, the goal is simply to displace the right amount of sand.
Take this to the practice bunker and focus on one thing: where your eyes are aimed just before you swing. This video is ideal for mid-handicap golfers who dread bunkers and want a straightforward mental shift that leads to more consistent sand play.
