Phil Mickelson is widely considered to be one of the greatest bunker players of all time, if not the greatest.
Bryson DeChambeau could definitely learn a thing or two from Phil Mickelson‘s exceptional skill out of the sand.
Pat Perez recently suggested that Phil Mickelson is the greatest bunker player in the history of the game, and it’s hard to argue against that.
The 55-year-old has wowed golf fans throughout the years on both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf with some of his wizardry out of the sand.
Is this the end of LIV Golf?
DeChambeau has openly admitted that Mickelson’s short game in general regularly astounds him.
Interestingly, though, DeChambeau was ranked 1st in scrambling on LIV in 2025, with Mickelson all the way down in 18th.
While DeChambeau is highly accomplished out of the sand, if you needed someone to get up and down from a bunker to save your life, Mickelson would most likely be your choice
Phil Mickelson’s brilliant bunker tip which Bryson DeChambeau called ‘unbelievable’
Mickelson’s tip for when you need to get the ball up quickly out of the sand genuinely shocked DeChambeau.
The six-time major champion highlighted how the majority of greenside bunker shots are played from short-sided positions.
Mickelson said: “What is the average distance of a bunker shot on Tour?“
DeChambeau responded: “Probably 10-12 yards.“
Mickelson then explained: “Exactly, 10 yards, you’re not going to miss it on the opposite side too often.
“On this shot, a 10-12 yard bunker shot, which is what we’re going to have mostly.
“Most people, where they make a mistake, is they have it too far back in their stance.
“But if you go off your front foot and put your weight forward, open up the face and drive it down into the sand, it will pop up a little bit higher and softer.“
In reaction to the shot that Mickelson hit, DeChambeau exclaimed: “Oh my gosh. Man, that is unbelievable.“
Further bunker advice from Phil Mickelson to help amateur golfers
Mickelson recently advised amateurs how they should approach bunker shots when the sand is tight and compact.
He said: “In packed sand you don’t want your wedge to hit the ground too early and bounce into the middle of the ball.
“To prevent that, set your weight forward and tilt your spine towards the target.
Do you think LIV would survive if Bryson DeChambeau returned to the PGA Tour?
“From there, you’ll automatically hit closer to the ball. You’re playing this shot with an open clubface, so you won’t have any trouble getting the ball up.
“I can’t emphasise enough that your weight has to stay forward on bunker shots from firm sand.”
That really is great advice from the man with 45 PGA Tour titles to his name.
Playing bunker shots with your weight forward enables you to hit down into the sand more aggressively through impact.
In theory, bunker shots should be easier for amateur golfers to play than shots from tight lies around the greens because they don’t actually require perfect contact.
By following Mickelson’s advice, you should be able to hone your technique out of the sand and hopefully approach bunker shots with confidence rather than trepidation in future.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
