To effectively hit a buried bunker shot, you need to employ a specific, aggressive technique that focuses on a steep angle of attack and a square-to-closed clubface to "dig" the ball out, ensuring it gains enough loft to clear the bunker lip and lands softly near the target.
A buried bunker lie, often called a "fried egg" lie, occurs when the golf ball is deeply plugged into the sand, making it significantly more challenging than a standard bunker shot. This scenario demands a different approach because the usual technique of bouncing the club off the sand won't work. Instead, the goal is to drive the clubhead through the sand beneath the ball, essentially shoveling it out.
Essential Adjustments for a Buried Lie
Success in a buried bunker shot hinges on precise setup and swing modifications:
- Club Selection: Always opt for your highest-lofted wedge, such as a sand wedge (54-58 degrees) or a lob wedge (58-60 degrees). While you're digging, the inherent loft is still critical for getting the ball airborne.
- Stance and Ball Position:
- Open Stance: Aim your feet and body slightly to the left of the target (for right-handed golfers). This facilitates a steeper swing path.
- Ball Position: Place the ball slightly forward of the center of your stance.
- Grip and Clubface:
- Firm Grip: Grip the club firmly to prevent the clubface from twisting upon impact with the heavy sand.
- Square or Slightly Closed Clubface: Unlike standard bunker shots where you open the face, for a buried lie, keep your clubface square to the target or even slightly closed. This minimizes bounce and maximizes the club's ability to dig deep into the sand.
- Weight Distribution: Shift approximately 60-70% of your weight onto your lead foot. This forward weight bias helps promote a steep, downward attack angle into the sand.
Executing the Digging Swing
The key is to use a powerful, aggressive swing to get the clubhead well beneath the ball.
- Steep Angle of Attack: Think of this as a chopping motion rather than a sweeping one. Your hands should lead the clubhead significantly through impact, driving the club down into the sand.
- Power and Aggression: You must hit with more force than you typically would for a greenside bunker shot. The dense sand will absorb a lot of energy, so an assertive swing is necessary to displace enough sand and propel the ball out.
- Firm Wrists: Maintain firm wrists throughout the swing, minimizing excessive hinging. This helps preserve the steep angle and ensures the leading edge of the club digs effectively without bouncing.
- Full, Committed Follow-Through: Despite the digging action, commit to a full and aggressive follow-through. This ensures you accelerate completely through the sand, which is vital for transferring enough energy to the ball to lift it out and propel it towards the target.
Step-by-Step Guide to Hitting a Buried Bunker Shot
Follow these steps for the best chance of escaping a buried lie:
- Analyze the Lie: Observe how deeply the ball is plugged. The deeper the plug, the more aggressive your swing needs to be.
- Select Your Club: Choose your highest-lofted wedge (sand or lob).
- Set Up Correctly:
- Adopt a slightly open stance.
- Position the ball slightly forward of center.
- Ensure your clubface is square or slightly closed.
- Distribute 60-70% of your weight onto your lead foot.
- Maintain a firm grip on the club.
- Execute the Backswing: Keep your wrists firm and take the club back on a steep plane.
- Impact Aggressively: Aim to strike the sand about 1-2 inches behind the ball, driving the club head down and through the sand. Visualize digging a small trench directly underneath the ball.
- Commit to the Follow-Through: Accelerate through the sand with an aggressive, full follow-through. This technique aims to generate sufficient loft to easily clear the bunker lip, allowing the ball to come out nice and soft, ideally settling close to the hole.
Why This Technique Works
By slightly closing the clubface and employing a steep, powerful swing, your wedge acts more like a shovel. This enables the club's leading edge to cut through the sand beneath the ball, generating the necessary upward and forward momentum. The firm grip and full commitment through impact ensure maximum energy transfer, giving the ball enough loft to clear the bunker and land softly with minimal roll, often leading to excellent proximity to the hole.
Common Issues and Solutions
Understanding common pitfalls can help refine your buried bunker shot:
| Common Mistake | Solution |
|---|---|
| Not hitting hard enough | Commit to a powerful, aggressive swing. Remember, the sand significantly dampens energy transfer. |
| Clubface too open | For a buried lie, keep the clubface square or slightly closed. An open face can cause the club to bounce over the ball. |
| Trying to "scoop" the ball | Focus on a steep, downward strike into the sand behind the ball, rather than trying to lift it. |
| Stopping at impact | Ensure you have a full, aggressive follow-through. Decelerating can leave the ball in the bunker. |
| Insufficient height or softness | Verify your setup includes a steep angle of attack and a square/closed clubface. This combination is crucial for launching the ball high enough to clear the lip and land gently. The goal is to produce a shot that lands softly, potentially just a foot from the hole. |
Practicing this shot in a bunker is highly recommended to develop a feel for the required power and club-sand interaction. For more insights on improving your bunker play, reputable sources like the USGA or Golf Digest provide extensive instructional content.
