The dreaded blocked lie doesn’t have to be a disaster. With a few key tweaks, you can turn a fried egg in a sure chance up and down.
Start by assessing the situation: The ball is likely to land below the surface and the sand is soft. This means you have to go steep and deep. To build a vertical swing, stand closer to the ball—closer than you feel comfortable—and narrow your stance. This helps you hang the club straight up and down, minimizing lower body movement and allowing the club to sink under the ball.
Open the arm a bit to help the ball come out with height and softness, especially if you’re short-sided. Keep your sternum centered over your point of impact, about 1.5 inches behind the ball, and commit to a steep angle of attack. There’s no big ending here – this shot needs a short, quiet sequel that ends with the stick buried in the sand.
Practice this move: go up, hit it and leave it on the sand. With the right setup and a slant, you’ll turn one of the most feared shots in golf into a powerhouse.
You’ll find much more of McLachlin’s advice at ShortGameChef.comwhich provides golfers with a comprehensive resource to improve their short games. Through personalized advice, coaching and expert knowledge, McLachlin helps players of all levels gain more confidence and a deeper understanding of their short game to lower their scores. You can browse membership options here.
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