Really bad situation

Earlier this week I got myself into a position I have never had before. I had no idea how to play this shot so ended up in the bunker. I will try to explain the position and hope someone can help me. I was in a bunker but not in the sand on a steep down slope with thick grass. The sand was about 5ft below me. I had to play over the sand and the far lip of the bunker which was some 8ft away then the green started almost immediately so I could not hit too hard. I must stress it was a steep downhill lie. Can anyone help please in case it happens again?
Brian

http://www.golfdigest.co.za/instruct...truction59.php try this

Oh my god!! I think that is beyond me.

Brian

As a matter of interest did you get up and down from the bunker? I ask because a) I'm not a good bunker player and (b) If I played the lie you described the ball could well go anywhere with the sand the least worst result.

Therefore I'd have been tempted to take my medicine, declare the ball unplayable and take it back enough to give myself a manageable little pitch / lofted chip.

That way I trade a one shot penalty to avoid something potentially worse.

Brilliant solution!

Another option (depending on the condition of the sand - firm is best) is to putt your ball hard through the bunker. If the sand is firm, the ball will roll along on top, popping out the other side. I've done this in a bunker that didn't have a much of a lip on the green side.

Yet another option is to take your most lofted club, and play it like a short pitch, making sure you swing down the slope. The ball will come out hot and low, so if you clear the other bunker lip, it's going to run.

Another option would have been to chip or pitch out sideways towards the green, leaving yourself a lengthy putt (as it seemed no matter what you did, it was going to result in a longer putt).

What did you end up doing?

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Well I played a sand wedge with an open face. Tried to stay parallel with the slope but as the green was so close did not hit it hard enough and ended up in the sand. I then played a sand wedge out but not hard enough so 2 putted for a 5 on a par 3!

This is a very difficult shot, but it can be done.

The most succesfull approach for me has been to use a 60 degree wedge, open the face completely and hit with a full swing, trying to keep the club head moving along the slope even after hitting the ball (club is going down!).

The ball will not travel very far and not very high (because of the downhill lie) but because I use an open lob wedge, it will clear the hazard and stop fairly quickly.

Thanks for that. That will give me some hope if I get in than situation again, or should I say when!
Brian

Hi Miffin

According to the profiles, Peter3 plays off 8 and you off 20.

The risk / reward ratio of that shot might be worth it for him; I doubt (since i am a similar standard) that it is for us - especiallly if the next time we try it is for real.

Open up the face of a 60 degree and I'd probably slide right under the ball if I didn't blade it onto the next tee. What was it Dirty Harruy said, " a man's got to know his own limitation"?

Aha there is always that of course. However, put yourself in the same situation then and how would you play it.
Bri

I wouldn't have actually played the shot.

My mates are quite rude (and sexist! - why is it "ladies golf" to play within my capabilities) about it but I'm definitely trying not to be a hero anymore - Seve can smash a 3w 240 yards from a fairway bunker to the pin but I can't. I can probably manage an 8I and a wedge though.

Indeed, you have to estimate the risk/reward with any shot based on skill and knowledge and whether you've practiced the shot before or not. You have several options:

1. Play towards the green
2. Declare it unplayable and drop in a better position
3. Chip, pitch, putt to a good position to the side or backwards
4. Chip, pitch, putt to a good position in the bunker

Now it's just a matter of determining what is best for you. If you're a great bunker player, #4 might actually be your best option, even if it feels like you're not getting more than if you chose option 1 and failed. If you're not a bunker wiz and haven't practiced #1, #2 or #3 are probably your best bet.

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Regards, Peter
(WITB)

Yep, I remember you saying that you would take a drop. I am a bit more Kamikazi though. A fair bit of my 20 handicap comes from 3 putting or even 4 putting on one hole last week. I doubt if I can get any tips to help my putting, I have only been playing a few weeks (although I had played before) I am hoping to improve my putting as I go along. Out of interest I played with another 20 handicap last week and he got in the same position as the one we are talking about. He played it onto the green but it did not stop. It ended up in the bunker on the far side of the green!
Bri

No tips for your putting?

Try this one: Putt your first putt looking at the hole, and don't manipulate your stroke.

I am playing my wife tomorrow, I will try it and let you know.

Bri