For the record, this would not normally be my photo of choice from a bunker.
However, there are situations where bunkering may make sense. Sometimes, this is due to conditions. Sometimes, it’s because of the player. If you are uncomfortable spraying a bunker shotbarrel can become a legitimate option.
If you are thinking of getting out of a bunker, this is the process I would go through. More than anything, it’s about deciding when is the right time and the right conditions to use it.
Is the lie good enough to even consider a shooter?
This is the first question because it usually eliminates the hit immediately.
If the ball has landed cleanly on firm sand, a putter can stay in play. If it’s closed, half-buried, or sitting at all, I’d go to another club. A putter will not help you when the ball needs to be removed from the sand. It only works when you can make clean enough contact and get the ball forward almost immediately.
Does it have too many lips?
If there’s any real edge to keep, the shooter probably doesn’t make sense. The less that shot needs to fly, the better the shooter becomes. If the edge of the bunker is shallow, worn, or almost level with the green, now you have something to think about.
What happens after the ball goes out?
You have to think beyond getting the ball onto the green. What happens next? Will the ball come out too fast? Is there a downward slope that awaits him? Are you running out of green? Is there water, rough or a tricky back end if this goes too far?
Even if the ball comes up clean, it can come up low and hot with very little stopping power. If the green is sloped or has problems behind it, the putter may not be the right choice.
If the fairway out of the bunker is shallow and the ball can bounce and then behave more like a putt once it hits the green, then this idea starts to look smarter.
If the conditions are right, can you execute it without breaking the bunker rules?
If you get past the first three questions and still like the shot, then it’s about execution.
The setup is quite simple. Play the ball around the middle of your stance and make more of a normal shot than anything fancy. You will usually need more pace than you think because the ball has to go through the sand, maybe a bit of collar and then onto the green. The goal is not to hit him. It’s about making a controlled shot with enough energy to keep the ball moving.
The big thing is keeping the tire on the sand. Don’t put it behind the ball. Do not wash the sand with a practice shot. Even if you are using a putter, the Rules of Golf regarding bunkers still apply.
So, yes, you can putt from a bunker. But MUST you? You should only do it when the situation doesn’t require much bunkering skill in the first place.
Most of the time, I would prefer to use a wedge. But if the lie is clean and the edge is minimal, the opening shot makes sense. If you can execute the shot cleanly without touching the sand, the putter can be a smart option. It has even been used several times on the Tour.
