Bunkers · Lesson
Adjusting for Buried Balls and Firm Sand
Part of our bunkers programs for thin or bladed, not getting out, distance from sand. Build a program with it
Some bunker lies need a different plan. If the ball is buried, keep it forward so the club enters behind it. But swing more steeply. That lets the front edge dig and push the ball out. It will come out lower and roll more, so aim where you have room. If the sand is firm or thin, the bounce can skip and blade the ball. Lean the shaft forward a bit to reduce bounce, and accept a lower shot. Or use a lob wedge for height.
Step by step
- Buried: ball forward, steeper swing.
- Let the front edge dig.
- Plan for extra roll.
- Firm sand: lean the shaft a little.
- Use a lob wedge if you need height.
Why it works
A buried ball sits below the surface, so a flat swing with the bounce leading will slide over it. A steeper swing lets the leading edge dig down and under the ball, and the sand pushes it out with little spin, so it flies lower and rolls more. On firm or thin sand the bounce has nothing to sink into and can skip off the surface into the ball. Leaning the shaft forward reduces the effective bounce so the leading edge gets under the ball.
Common mistakes
- Moving the ball back in a buried lie, which makes the club hit the ball first or dig too early.Keep the ball forward so the club enters the sand behind it, and get the steepness from your backswing instead.
- Swinging shallow and flat in a buried lie so the bounce skids on top of the sand.Hinge your wrists earlier to swing steeper and let the front edge dig.
- Aiming at a close pin and expecting a soft landing from a buried lie or a forward-leaning club.Aim for the space you have, and expect a lower shot with more roll.
How you'll know it's working
- From a buried lie, the ball comes out every time, even if it runs low.
- The club enters the sand behind the ball and leaves a short, deep mark, not a long scrape.
- On firm sand, you stop hitting the ball thin or hearing a sharp click of metal on the ball.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practise in soft sand with a ball that is only half-buried, so you can feel the front edge dig before you try deeper lies.
Harder: Practise from a fully buried lie or firm sand to a target with limited room, and decide before each shot whether to lean the shaft or switch to a lob wedge.
Common questions
How do you hit a buried ball out of a bunker?
Keep the ball forward, swing more steeply, and let the front edge dig behind it. The ball will come out lower and roll more, so aim where you have room.
Why do I blade the ball in firm bunker sand?
On firm sand the bounce can skip off the surface and hit the ball's equator. Lean the shaft forward a little to reduce bounce, and accept a lower shot, or use a lob wedge if you need height.
