Ball Under the Bunker Lip
Also known as: ball under the lip, ball under the bunker lip, under the lip of the bunker, ball against the bunker face, steep bunker lip, high bunker lip
When your ball sits right under a bunker lip, first decide whether any shot can clear the lip. If one can, open the face of your most lofted wedge, set your shoulders along the slope and swing hard into the sand behind the ball. If not, play out sideways or backward.
A ball under the lip usually sits on an upslope. The slope adds loft, which helps. But the shot needs to go almost straight up, and the sand stops the club quickly.
Set your shoulders roughly parallel to the slope, with more weight on your trail foot. Open the face and aim to enter the sand a few inches behind the ball. Swing hard and expect a short follow-through, because the club will dig into the bank.
If the ball is buried or the lip is too tall, don't gamble. Chipping out sideways or backward costs one shot. Leaving the ball in the bunker can cost several. You may also declare the ball unplayable. Under Rule 19.3, relief in the bunker costs one stroke, and dropping outside the bunker back on the line costs two.
Tips by skill level
Before you swing, stand behind the ball and picture the flight. If you can't see it clearing the lip, play out the easy way.
From a steep upslope, the club stops in the bank, so use more speed than you think. Some players let the trail foot step back after impact to stay balanced.
Example
His ball sits a foot below a lip taller than he is. He sees that no wedge will clear it, splashes out backward and saves a bogey.
Why it matters
This lie wrecks scores when golfers try the hero shot. Picking the right option first saves more strokes than any technique.
Common mistakes
- Trying to clear a lip that is too high
- Leaning down the slope so the club digs
- Easing off because the shot is short
- Forgetting the unplayable-ball options
Frequently asked questions
Can I take an unplayable lie in a bunker?
Yes. Under Rule 19.3 you can take relief in the bunker for one penalty stroke. For two penalty strokes, you can drop outside the bunker on a line back from the hole through your ball.
How do I get out when the ball is plugged under the lip?
Often you can't go forward. Close the face a little, dig steeply behind the ball and accept a low shot sideways. Taking an unplayable lie is sometimes the smarter choice.
Sources
Related terms
- Bunker ShotA bunker shot is any stroke played from a sand hazard. The two families play nothing alike: greenside, where the club never touches the ball, and fairway, where clean ball-first contact is the whole objective.
- Greenside Bunker TechniqueGreenside bunker technique uses an open stance and face. The club enters the sand a few inches behind the ball and never touches the ball on a good shot.
- Uphill and Downhill Bunker LiesIn a bunker, set your shoulders to match the ground. On a downhill lie, put more weight on your lead foot, open the face and swing down the bank, expecting a low shot that runs. On an uphill lie, tilt with the ground, use a fuller swing and expect a higher, shorter shot.
- Unplayable LieA golfer may declare their ball unplayable anywhere except a penalty area and take relief for one penalty stroke. Only the golfer makes that call.
- Bunker Rules (Touching the Sand)In a bunker you must not touch the sand with your club right in front of or behind the ball. You also must not touch it in a practice swing, in your backswing, or on purpose to test it. The penalty is two strokes in stroke play or loss of the hole in match play.
Related guides & benchmarks
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