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Try a Free Live AI Golf Lesson →How to Hit Uphill Bunker Shots
As you learned from the “How to Hit Sand Shots Like a Pro” video, hitting shots out of the sand becomes straightforward once you understand the fundamental mechanics. But what happens when you’re standing on an uphill lie in the bunker?
As the golf instruction video demonstrates, the same core fundamentals apply — you simply need to grasp a couple of additional adjustments that make the uphill sand shot significantly easier. The swing remains identical; only the setup changes slightly.
Notice in the photos above how the shoulder angle matches the slope of the ground at both address and impact. This alignment is critical — it prevents you from stabbing the clubface into the uphill slope and allows you to strike through the sand with speed.
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Just as in a standard sand shot, the back of the clubface should slap the sand and travel through quickly without digging. If the club is digging, your shoulders are likely too flat relative to the slope. Ensure your spine angle sits more perpendicular to the slope and maintain that relationship throughout the swing.
In the first photo, notice the increased knee flex compared to a standard bunker shot. This lowers my center of gravity and creates a stable base for making an aggressive swing without losing my balance on the slope.
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