Fairway Bunker
Course Areas
Explained Simply
A sand bunker positioned along the fairway, usually to penalize long or errant drives. Different from a greenside bunker — you typically need distance as well as height to escape.
Example
“Your drive ends up in a fairway bunker 180 yards from the green. You need a clean contact to carry the lip and get distance. Take enough loft to clear the front edge.”
Why it matters
Fairway bunkers require you to pick the ball cleanly off the sand — even a slight chunk costs you most of your distance. Club selection is critical: use enough loft to clear the bunker lip.
Common beginner mistake
Trying to hit a long club from a fairway bunker when you can barely clear the lip. Take a shorter club with enough loft to escape safely.
Related
casual
Course Areas
Related
- Bunker (Sand Trap)A hazard area filled with sand. Can appear next to the fairway (fairway bunker) or around the green (greenside bunker). Often called a 'sand trap' casually.
- WedgeThe highest-lofted irons, built for short, high shots around the green and into it. Common types are pitching, gap, sand, and lob wedge — each with more loft than the last.
- Carry DistanceHow far the ball travels through the air before it first hits the ground. Does not include rollout after landing.
- Lie (Ground Lie)The situation your ball is sitting in — whether it's on the fairway, in rough, on a slope, or in a divot.