The Easy Way to Escape a Bunker Lip

Stuck with a tricky greenside sand shot right up against a high lip? Elena King shares a counterintuitive technique. Instead of trying to help the ball out, learn how to pop it up onto the green.

Your Action Plan

What: Your goal is to learn a simple technique to escape a lie in a greenside bunker where the ball is resting right against the lip.

Why: The instinct to “help” the ball out of a bunker with a high lip often leads to a poor shot where the ball doesn’t get out. This alternative method makes the shot easier and more consistent.

How:

Climb Up: Stand with your feet up on the side of the bunker, at a higher elevation than the ball.
Close the Clubface: Set up with the clubface slightly closed or “shut down.”
Pop the Ball: Make a simple stroke that “pops” the back of the ball up and onto the green.

Your Instructor

Elena King

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