Poor lie near the green

[Ben B]

My problem is with pitching over a bunker from a poor lie.
I have trouble getting the ball up and over the bunker.
I tend to skull the ball across the green with my sand wedge or put it in the bunker.

How should I play the shot?

[lpaulsen]

A major part of the problem is confidence. You must have confidence which is gained from practicing this shot. Probably the best club from a heavy lie whether or not you are crossing a bunker is the sand wedge. You must accelerate into the ball and try for a strong follow through. The distance the ball must go governs how much backswing you use, but always follow through strongly. This ensures that you accelerate through the ball. For a thin lie, try an exaggerated chipping motion using a lob wedge or pitching wedge. Sand wedge is probably inappropriate for a tight lie because of the bounce on the sole of the sand wedge.

[Ben B]

Pitching wedge may be the best option for me. The lob wedge and I don't get along yet :)