Buried Lie
A buried lie describes a ball embedded deep in sand or soft ground that has almost completely sunk in.
The buried lie, also known as an embedded ball or colloquially as a fried egg, is one of the most awkward lies in the bunker. After impact the ball has penetrated the soft sand; often only a small part of the surface is still visible. In rule terms this is no reason for a free drop in the bunker — unlike an embedded ball on the fairway, you get no relief without penalty here. You must play the ball as it lies or declare it unplayable for a penalty stroke. It is precisely this harshness that makes the lie so respected.
A buried lie is played with adjusted technique. An example: your ball is half sunk in the sand, four metres from the flag. You close the clubface of the wedge slightly instead of opening it, set up steeply over the ball and swing with a powerful, short swing into the sand just behind the ball. The ball comes out lower and with much more roll than in a normal bunker shot. You therefore have to plan for the extra roll and cannot hope for a soft stop.
The typical misconception concerns the rules. Many believe an embedded ball may be dropped without penalty anywhere — but that only applies in the general area such as the fairway or the rough, not in a bunker or a penalty area. A second mistake is the half-hearted rescue attempt out of pride. If the ball lies hopelessly deep below a bunker lip, honestly declaring it unplayable with a penalty stroke is often the cheaper option than two futile digging attempts.
FAQ
May I drop an embedded ball in the bunker without penalty?
No, that is the most common misconception. The penalty-free relief for embedded balls only applies in the general area such as the fairway or rough — not in a bunker and not in a penalty area. You must play the ball as it lies or declare it unplayable with a penalty stroke.
How do I play a ball that is half sunk in the sand?
With a closed clubface and a short, powerful swing. You set up steeply over the ball, strike into the sand just behind it and expect the ball to come out low and roll noticeably further than in a normal bunker shot. You cannot expect a soft stop from this lie — plan for the roll.
Is it worth trying to save a hopeless buried lie anyway?
Usually not. If the ball lies deep below a bunker lip, honestly declaring it unplayable with a penalty stroke is often the cheaper option. Two futile digging attempts out of pride end up costing more strokes than the clear decision.