I like the replies but I'd like to add something else. My "something else" isn't quiet a direct answer but more a "learn from the master" tuition.

For goodness sake find the easiest way to get out of trouble and the ball back in play. I see it so often while I play in pro-ams or do on-course lessons where golfers try to thread the golf ball under trees, through a gap and then over the next tree, through another gap the size of a loo roll and lay it up just short the cross-bunker (you know what I mean ...).

First, find the easiest way to get the ball back in play. Look at all the options, including going either side and backwards.
Next, work out how to get the ball there.
Next, try to figure the swing you need.
Next, match the club to the required swing.
Next, reherse the swing and prepare.
Then execute.

Here's an example that happened to me and I use it often to example the point of thinking:
I hit it into the trees left and was in serious trouble. There was a fairway further left with a water hazard. No option to my right. No viable options forwards nor backwards. I couldn't take an unplayable becuase it wasn't going to help me 2 club lengths and keeping the flag in line I would have stayed in the trees.
So what do I do? I don't just hack at it ...
I hit a low 8-iron and hit the ball into the water hazard (on purpose).
My drop: I dropped it keeping the line of entry with the flag in the middle of the fairway ... I played up that fairway and got my next on the correct green and made 6. Had I buggered around it may have taken me 3 to get it out at least.

So, find the easiest way out even if it means playing your next from a different golf hole or from a bunker ...

__________________
Golf is easy ... once you know how.
Graham Arnott, teaching professional
Kelrosa Golf Studios
www.kelrosagolf.com
Class 'A' PGA Member
Full Member: World Golf Teachers Federation (GB&I)