In this video, PGA instructor James Ridyard demonstrates how to escape a deep 10-foot bunker using various techniques and club lofts. He tests standard 60-degree wedge shots, square-face, closed-face draw paths, mid-irons, plugged lies, and downslope lies. Ridyard shows how attack angle, strike precision, and sand interaction dictate ball flight height far more than just opening the clubface.
Height out of deep bunkers relies heavily on clean contact and controlling how much sand you displace.
A square face can easily clear a 10-foot lip if ball position is moved slightly forward to flatten the attack angle.
For plugged lies on upslopes, lean into the slope with a steep attack angle and closed face to let the sand pop the ball out.
On downhill bunker lies, lean down the slope to match the angle and prevent digging too deep or blading the ball.
When a lip is too steep or the lie is unplayable, playing sideways or backwards is often the smartest course management decision.