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You may be faced with varying lengths of bunker shots when out on the golf course. In order to hit the ball close to the hole, you need to be able to control the distance that you are hitting the golf ball.

Varying the distance the ball will fly is similar to how you would vary the length of a chip or pitch. To increase your club speed and hit the ball further, you need to make a longer back swing and longer follow through. To hit the ball a short distance, you need to make a shorter back swing and follow through. A good check point is to try and mirror up the length of swing on both sides of the ball, on both the back swing and follow through.

You want to keep the amount of sand you take consistent on most bunker shots. The club should be entering the sand a couple of inches before the ball, taking a shallow amount of sand the length of a dollar bill. By keeping the contact with the sand consistent, you can then vary the length of your swing to control the distance you hit the ball.

Some people try to vary the amount of sand they take to control the distance the ball will travel. This works by making the same length swing, but taking more sand will hit the ball shorter, and less sand will hit the ball further. This is an inconsistent method unless you have lots of time to spend practising this method.

Another way to vary the distance you hit the ball is vary to the club you use. Taking a lower lofted club will hit the ball further. If you are faced with a long bunker shot, try using your 9 iron, with your standard bunker technique and you should hit the ball a further distance.

Keep the contact with the sand consistent and vary your swing length to control the distance the ball will fly. Longer swings for longer shots and shorter swings for shorter shots.

Trying to vary the amount of sand taken and the clubs entry point into the sand in order to vary the distance you hit the ball is a tough skill to master. It is more effective to keep your taking of sand consistent and vary the swing length to control the distance the ball will travel.

You always want to make a consistent strike on the club face and preferably out of the middle of the club. To control the distance of your bunker shots, the most effective method is keep your sand contact consistent and just vary the length of swing. Longer swings for longer shots and shorter swings for shorter shots.

Controlling a varying contact with the sand is a very difficult skill to control. You will have better results by keeping the contact with the sand consistent. Get the club to enter the sand a couple of inches behind the ball and take a dollar bill sized amount of sand from under the ball. You can then make longer swings for longer shots and shorter swings for shorter shots.