If bunkers have been your golfing bogeyman — the stuff of sweaty palms and shattered confidence — then listen up, because PING might’ve just dropped a game-changer. Meet the PING BunkR wedge (yes, it’s pronounced just like bunker), a club that’s not here to mess about. Its mission? To get you out of the sand. Every. Single. Time.
Now, if you’re the type who hears “open the face, aim left, swing across the line” and immediately starts questioning your life choices, you’re in luck. The BunkR is purpose-built for simplicity. Forget the complicated technique — this wedge wants you square to the target, square face, and just give it a nice, confident chip-style swing. That’s it.
Escape The Sand
Designed with higher handicappers in mind, or anyone who breaks into a cold sweat at the sight of a greenside trap, the BunkR is all about confidence. With a whopping 64 degrees of loft, a super-wide sole and that iconic EYE2-style shaping, it’s basically a bunker cheat code.
John K. Solheim, PING’s CEO (and apparently a lifelong bunker-hater), sums it up nicely: “Many PING products have been game-changers, but the BunkR is truly life-changing.”
Big words — but there’s substance behind the swagger. Solheim reportedly took the club to the sandy cauldrons of Pinehurst and walked away a new man.
The Test
Out on the course, I found the BunkR does exactly what it says on the tin. The 14.5 degrees of bounce help the club glide through the sand, refusing to dig — even on dodgy lies or steep downslopes. Square stance, square face, natural swing… and boom, you’re back on the green wondering what all the fuss was about.
But (and there is a but), this isn’t your do-it-all short game saviour. On tight fairway lies or firm turf, that generous bounce can be a bit of a liability. It lifts the leading edge just enough to make those delicate chips a bit awkward. So no, it’s not replacing your lob wedge anytime soon.
Also worth noting — while it’s got loft for days, the launch is surprisingly low. If you need to get the ball up quickly to clear a bunker lip or drop it softly on a baked green, it might come up a tad short. It’s brilliant from sand, but don’t expect miracles from 40 yards out on a tight lie.
Still, PING has gone the extra mile with wedge-specific tech. It’s fitted with a lightweight Z-Z115 shaft and an extended Dyla-wedge Lite Grip, which allows you to choke down and fine-tune your trajectory when needed. It feels thoughtfully built, not just a gimmick.
Verdict
So, should the BunkR earn a spot in your bag? If bunkers haunt your dreams — absolutely. It could save you shots and your sanity. But if you’re already a short game wizard with a flair for finesse, this one-trick pony might not be worth bumping out your current sand wedge.
That said, if you’ve ever stood in a bunker with more doubt than hope… this could be the wedge that changes everything.
