Playing the “fried egg” shot out of the bunker requires a shift in mindset and method from your normal, generic bunker shot. It’s about managing expectations and following a few key technique tips.

Firstly, you want to setup with your feet just outside shoulder width. You also want to shift the majority of your weight to your lead side (left side for a right-hander). 

Normally with bunker shots, you want to open your stance and clubface. With the fried egg, though, you want to turn the clubface in. It might almost feel like you’re “hooding” it or turning the club face over. Turning the club face in allows the leading edge, when we hit through the ball, to dig into the sand and see the ball pop up out of the buried position.

The one thing you don’t want to do is open the clubface and expose the bounce. You don’t want to feel like you’re hitting the bottom of the club onto the sand, as you might with a normal bunker shot. Rather, you’re digging the leading edge into the sand behind the ball. The natural angle of the sand-wedge will give you some loft.

From there, it’s almost a normal bunker shot. Think soft hands, nice rhythm, timing and just “play” the shot. You needn’t go overly hard at it, but you do want to generate some tempo and power through the ball, finishing with your belt buckle facing the target.

Another thing is to manage your expectations. Because of the lie, you won’t have the ability to slide the club under the ball and get nice, clean contact. This means there likely won’t be any spin or stopping power, and the ball with roll out, depending on how hard you’ve hit it. 

So, your main aim becomes just popping the ball out of the bunker and onto the green.

Take your medicine and hopefully hole the next putt for what will be a very satisfying sandie!