I have sent you the first 7 tips in my 10-Tip Series of how you can reduce your scores through better mechanics and solid swing fundamentals. You can review those here:

Tip 1
Tip 2
Tip 3
Tip 4
Tip 5
Tip 6
Tip 7

This week's lesson is entitled, "How to Get out of a Bunker with a Buried Lie", and this lesson could really help you out in a situation where a buried lie could potentially add a few unneeded strokes to your round.

This is one of the most feared shots in all of golf by the amateur. Why? Because it looks so intimidating when you can barely see you ball, but it doesn't need to be that way. You will be hitting great shots and impressing your friends when you follow these steps!

Let’s say that you just don’t have a “fried egg” (where 50% of the ball is buried) but only the very top of the ball is visible. What do you do? Follow these steps and you’ll be able to hit any lie that you have in a bunker.

Here’s what you do:

1. Choke down on the golf club, about in the same position as a normal bunker shot (1-2 inches from the bottom of the grip).

2. Take your normal stance, however open it up a little bit.

3. The majority of your weight should be on your front foot

4. Close your clubface and press your hands forward just a little (this will ensure you to drive the ball out of the sand).

5. Keep your lower body still! This is so important, especially in this shot!

6. Just like a normal bunker shot take a steep backswing so that the butt of the club is pointed at the ball. *Remember that your left arm is going to lead this shot and will be completely parallel with the ground. Your right elbow is in the locked position.

7. When you start your downswing do not shift your weight ? keep the majority of your weight on your front foot.

8. So once you’ve started your steep downswing hit about 2 inches behind the ball. This is very important because if you try and hit the ball first you’ll just drive it back into the sand. By hitting 2 inches behind the sand will actually lift the ball out your clubface really doesn’t even touch the golf ball. *Remember it’s very important to keep your clubface closed so that is can drive the ball out!

9. Remember to swing through the sand and not stop once you’ve hit the sand.

10. Keep your angle steep throughout the shot.

Drill:
At the practice bunker stomp a few balls almost completely submerged (make sure you can only see a little of the ball. This will give you so much confidence because this only happens in a small percentage of sand play. Focus on keeping your club face closed throughout your swing….I can’t stress this enough!

Putting it all together in the bunker:

Normal bunker shot: square to slightly open clubface, evenly balanced weight or weight on back foot, steep/vertical backswing (lead with your left arm and keep your right elbow “locked” to its side), keep your entire lower body still?no weight shifting until you hit the sand.

Buried lie in bunker: slightly closed clubface, forward press your hand a little, majority of your weight on your front foot, steep/vertical backswing (lead with your left arm and keep your right elbow “locked” to its side), keep your entire lower body still.

Next week, we'll discuss buried lies, and then it's on to chipping and putting. Good golfing, until then. If you would like to order "The Simple Golf Swing" Tap here