On-Course Review
A "crutch" club that has changed my game...
Reviewed by Matthew Wong (GP) · Mid-handicap golfer
Key Takeaway
The Ping BunkR started out as a club to help me get out of the sand, but it has become so much more!
On-Course Experience
When I first reviewed the Ping BunkR at the executive course at Las Positas I didn't think it would be a club that would last in my bag. Many rounds later it has been a staple and admittedly hard to take out. As far as "gimmick" clubs go usually they are hard to take seriously because normally they are meant for a single purpose. Kinda like when you buy a kitchen gadget for one thing and you can't justify it taking up space unless it is an everyday use item OR has multiple purposes.
The BunkR became exactly that for me not only helping me with my sand game but chipping around the greens. The bounce combined with the loft (albeit a crutch) allows me to throw the club into the ground and pop up the ball and land softly with a load of spin. I would say I use it more for this purpose than it's original intent, which is to handle bunker shots.
Now out of the bunker you will have to mentally ditch the traditional way of hitting out of the sand and prevent yourself from opening the club face at all. Keep it at the stated loft and chip it out like you are chipping from the rough and you will get the ball out with ease.
I have enjoyed using this club so much and have many clips where it has come up in the clutch. I will say though like all things this will be entirely up to the type of grass you play on and bunker sand conditions. For me I play in mostly harder bunker conditions and NON-bermuda grass so take that into consideration.
