April in Australia brings a beautiful transition as autumn deepens. The intense summer heat eases into milder days, while occasional showers begin to soften the baked-out fairways and greens. Courses across the country start showing more vibrant colour, with lush fairways contrasting against the dramatic Australian landscape of gum trees, rolling hills, and coastal dunes. This changing weather makes bunker play particularly important — sand that was rock-hard in February now becomes softer and more unpredictable. At Fore Golf, we believe strong bunker skills can save you multiple strokes per round. These technical yet simple tips are designed for the everyday golfer, with clear step-by-step guidance to help you escape bunkers confidently and make the biggest scoring gains this autumn.
1. Set Up for Success with an Open Stance
The foundation of a good bunker shot is the correct setup. An open stance promotes an out-to-in swing path for the necessary explosion of sand.
Step-by-Step Guide:
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Step 1: Dig your feet into the sand for stability — this lowers your centre of gravity.
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Step 2: Open your stance (feet, hips, and shoulders aimed left of the target for right-handers).
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Step 3: Position the ball forward in your stance, opposite your left heel.
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Step 4: Open the clubface of your sand wedge significantly — the leading edge should point right of the target.
Pro Tip: In April’s softening sand after rain, dig your feet slightly deeper than usual. Our flexible, quick-dry shorts from Fore Golf allow easy movement without restriction while keeping you comfortable in variable conditions.
2. Focus on Hitting the Sand, Not the Ball
The biggest mistake is trying to hit the ball cleanly. In bunkers, you want to splash the sand out, taking the ball with it.
Step-by-Step Guide:
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Step 1: Aim to strike the sand 2–4 cm behind the ball (about one to two inches).
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Step 2: Swing along your body line (out-to-in) with an accelerated motion through impact.
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Step 3: Keep your wrists firm and finish with the club high.
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Step 4: Practise by drawing a line in the sand behind the ball and consistently hitting that line.
Pro Tip: Softer April sand requires a slightly steeper swing. Lightweight, breathable polos help you stay cool and focused during longer practice sessions around the bunkers.
3. Control Distance with Swing Length
Distance control in bunkers comes from swing length, not power.
Step-by-Step Guide:
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Step 1: For short bunker shots (under 10 metres), use a short, controlled backswing.
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Step 2: For longer escapes (15–25 metres), lengthen your backswing while maintaining acceleration.
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Step 3: Keep the same smooth tempo for all distances.
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Step 4: Practise with targets at different distances, noting how swing length affects landing spot.
Pro Tip: Autumn winds on exposed Australian courses can affect trajectory — a slightly higher finish helps the ball stop quicker on softening greens.
4. Visualise the Explosion
Mental imagery improves execution dramatically.
Step-by-Step Guide:
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Step 1: Before swinging, picture a “splash” of sand carrying the ball onto the green.
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Step 2: Focus on the spot in the sand you want to hit.
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Step 3: Trust your setup and commit to the swing.
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Step 4: After each shot, note what worked and adjust.
Pro Tip: Bunker practice is one of the fastest ways to drop strokes. Pair it with comfortable golf apparel that moves with you so you can focus purely on technique.
Mastering bunkers in April’s changing conditions will give you a real edge. Visit our collections for performance apparel designed for Australian golfers — flexible, breathable, and built to handle everything from warm afternoons to cooler evenings.
Mastering Bunker Shots: Escape with Confidence
April in Australia brings a beautiful transition as autumn deepens. The intense summer heat eases into milder days, while occasional showers begin to soften the baked-out fairways and greens. Courses across the country start showing more vibrant colour, with lush fairways contrasting against the dramatic Australian landscape of gum trees, rolling hills, and coastal dunes. This changing weather makes bunker play particularly important — sand that was rock-hard in February now becomes softer and more unpredictable. At Fore Golf, we believe strong bunker skills can save you multiple strokes per round. These technical yet simple tips are designed for the everyday golfer, with clear step-by-step guidance to help you escape bunkers confidently and make the biggest scoring gains this autumn.
1. Set Up for Success with an Open Stance
The foundation of a good bunker shot is the correct setup. An open stance promotes an out-to-in swing path for the necessary explosion of sand.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Pro Tip: In April’s softening sand after rain, dig your feet slightly deeper than usual. Our flexible, quick-dry shorts from Fore Golf allow easy movement without restriction while keeping you comfortable in variable conditions.
2. Focus on Hitting the Sand, Not the Ball
The biggest mistake is trying to hit the ball cleanly. In bunkers, you want to splash the sand out, taking the ball with it.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Pro Tip: Softer April sand requires a slightly steeper swing. Lightweight, breathable polos help you stay cool and focused during longer practice sessions around the bunkers.
3. Control Distance with Swing Length
Distance control in bunkers comes from swing length, not power.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Pro Tip: Autumn winds on exposed Australian courses can affect trajectory — a slightly higher finish helps the ball stop quicker on softening greens.
4. Visualise the Explosion
Mental imagery improves execution dramatically.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Pro Tip: Bunker practice is one of the fastest ways to drop strokes. Pair it with comfortable golf apparel that moves with you so you can focus purely on technique.
Mastering bunkers in April’s changing conditions will give you a real edge. Visit our collections for performance apparel designed for Australian golfers — flexible, breathable, and built to handle everything from warm afternoons to cooler evenings.