Hit a shot into a bunker shortly after a downpour and your ball is likely to bury itself in the sand (the ball is then said to be plugged). Only the top half of the ball may be visible above the surface. When this happens your sole objective should be to get the ball out of the bunker and anywhere on the green. The shot is simply too difficult for you to worry about the position of the flag. Even professional players have to bite the bullet in this situation, knowing they have little chance of controlling the ball and getting it to stop close to the hole.

Aim to come into the sand about an inch behind the ball. Drill the clubhead deep into the sand as hard as you can. You will find it hard to follow through because of the sand's resistance. That's okay, it isn't necessary to follow through this time. The ball will explode out on a cushion of sand with a lot of top spin. So expect the ball to run far more than it would if played from a good lie in the bunker.