Shane Lowry 40-yard bunker shot

Ireland's wizard with a wedge provides some essential keys to master this tricky shot

Shane Lowry-40-yard-splash

Three-time European Tour winner Shane Lowry gives you some crucial advice on how to play the 40-yard bunker shot, regarded as one of the most difficult shots in golf

I think this is one of the hardest shots in golf. As a Tour pro I’d be happy to get it inside 15 feet from here. I would play it the high tariff way still using my lob wedge with a full swing as that is what I’m most comfortable with.

But the percentage play, and the method I would recommend to amateurs providing the lip of the bunker allows it, is to take your pitching wedge and open the clubface up. Try and play a semi duff and run and hopefully you should get the ideal combination of carry and roll out for the ball to travel the full distance. It takes a bit of practice but if you can master it, it may just save your round.

I would still use my 58° wedge for this shot but amateurs can use their pitching wedge and play it almost like a normal splash shot. This will help them get the distance without having to make a very long swing. The longer the swing, the more there is that can go wrong. Make sure you fully commit to the shot, striking the sand around two inches behind the ball.

Shane Lowry 40 yard bunker

Although this shot is essentially a chunk-and-run, you still want to use the bounce to maintain speed through the sand. So use a square clubface but position your hands behind the ball. This will stop the clubhead from digging down into the sand. Notice the angle between my left forearm and back of the left hand.

The tendency on this shot will be to play it like a normal iron shot to get the distance by leaning the shaft forwards. If you play it this way you’ll take too much sand and the ball won’t travel the required distance. This will also reduce the loft, meaning you could catch the lip of the bunker.

Joel Tadman
Technical Editor

Joel has worked in the golf industry for over 12 years covering both instruction and more recently equipment. He now oversees all product content here at Golf Monthly, managing a team of talented and passionate writers and presenters in delivering the most thorough and accurate reviews, buying advice, comparisons and deals to help the reader find exactly what they are looking for. So whether it's the latest driver, irons, putter or laser rangefinder, Joel has his finger on the pulse keeping up to date with the latest releases in golf. He is also responsible for all content on irons and golf tech, including distance measuring devices and launch monitors.


One of his career highlights came when covering the 2012 Masters he got to play the sacred Augusta National course on the Monday after the tournament concluded, shooting a respectable 86 with just one par and four birdies. To date, his best ever round of golf is a 5-under 67 back in 2011. He currently plays his golf at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincs, with a handicap index of 3.2.


Joel's current What's In The Bag? 

Driver: Titleist TSR3, 9° 

Fairway wood: Titleist TSR3, 15° 

Hybrid: Titleist TSi2, 18° 

Irons: Ping i230 4-UW

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8, 54°. Titleist Vokey SM9 60° lob wedge, K Grind

Putter: Evnroll ER2V 

Ball: 2023 Titleist Pro V1x