Best Way to Get out of a Bunker with a Buried Lie in Golf

Should the ball be almost completely buried, as it can easily be if the sand is soft and the ball comes in from a high trajectory, make a few slight adjustments to the way you handled the half-buried lie.

Grip

First, close the club before taking your grip, with the toe of the club nearly pointing at the ball and with the hands directly over it. Hold the club quite firmly and a good 3 in (75 mm) down the shaft.

Stance

The ball should be back of centre in the stance, which should be closed – that is, the right foot is drawn back about 8 – 10 in (20 – 25 cm). Your weight should be well on the left foot.

Posture

Keep the knees and arms less relaxed than normal, with the upper body and hands well in front of the ball.

Swing movement

Start the swing by cocking the wrists immediately at the beginning of a short, abrupt backswing. Hit down into the sand at the very back of the ball. The club will have displaced sufficient sand to send the ball out of the bunker, often leaving the club head still in the sand.

Once again, the ball will come out low and without back-spin, so if there is a high bank in front of the buried ball, play out of the bunker where the lip is low enough to ensure that the ball does not remain in the bunker.

Instructions:

• The ball has landed in the bunker from a high trajectory and is plugged in soft sand.
• Take the stance outside the bunker with the club face closed. Then place your hands about 3 in (75 mm) down the club shaft. Your toe line should point as much to the right as the club face is pointing to the left. Make practice swings as usual.

• Now, retaining this grip, go into the bunker and adopt the same stance. Work the feet deep into the sand to give balance. The soles of the shoes should be below the level of the ball.
• A short and very upright backswing with lots of wrist cock and a stable foot position starts off the swing movement.
• Swing the closed club head on a steep path into the sand just behind the ball. Hit down and let the wrists and club do the work. Be prepared for considerable roll, as the ball will have very little back-spin.