A plugged bunker lie isn’t the round wrecker you think it is. All you need to do is generate a steeper approach and make contact with the sand as close to the ball as possible without hitting the ball first. Here’s how.
Start by standing slightly closer to the ball than normal. This almost automatically makes your swing more vertical. As far as how you set the clubface, it varies, but if you’re short-sided (not a lot of green to work with), turn the face slightly open at address to add some “softness” to the shot. Position the ball in the middle of your stance.
As you start back, feel like your backswing is very wristy, handsy and narrow. These are all steepening elements. On the way back down, actively unhinge your wrists but do so without moving your body’s center either away or toward the target.
And don’t worry much about your follow-through — your steep downswing into the sand is all the power you need.
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