There are few players who could match Gary Player’s skills from the sand. His bunker game was a big part of what made him one of golf’s most respected figures.
Throughout his career, Player picked up 159 tournament wins around the globe, including nine major titles.
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Unlike Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, he did not have their raw power, but he found other ways to gain an edge.
His short game was top class, and his ability to get up and down from bunkers became one of the main reasons for his longevity at the top level.
If you are someone who struggles out of bunkers, any advice from Player is well worth listening to.
The plugged lie in a bunker can often be a nightmare for amateur golfers who lack confidence with the clubface open wide.
Amateur golfers can now get help from one of the best bunker players in golf history. While this champion has offered numerous tips over the years, his most recent advice might be his most valuable yet.
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Gary Player’s advice for plugged lies in bunkers
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
We have all been there.
Walking up to the green after your approach shot, you find your ball in a bunker with that dreaded ‘fried egg’ lie.
Most amateurs either leave the ball in the sand or hit it over the green, often because they apply too much power and topspin.
Player addressed this common issue on his X account, offering some straightforward advice for those who struggle with plugged lies.
He started by saying: “How do you play a plugged lie?
“I have always found that closing the clubface and hitting steeply down on the ball has always been the best way to create some kind of consistency in a typically inconsistent lie.
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“PS, be aware of the topspin.”
This is advice worth taking on board.
Why Gary Player’s plugged lie advice works
Closing the clubface when you are in a plugged lie works because it reduces the bounce, allowing the leading edge to dig into the sand more effectively.
This technique gives you a steeper angle of attack, making it easier to slide the club under the ball and pop it out.
Opening your sand wedge increases the club’s loft, which, in turn, exposes more of the sole, or the ‘bounce’.
This makes it more difficult to position the club beneath the ball and lift it out of the sand.
The key is sticking with it through practice. It might feel strange at first, but you will find that this method produces far better results than trying to play a standard bunker shot from a buried position.
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