Handling tricky bunker lies, even those in rake marks and footprints, is hard for a lot of rec players.

My simple advice is to get uncomfortably close to the ball. With a funky lie, snuggle. Then hinge the club straight up in your backswing, which will increase your ability to create a lot of steepness on the way back down to the ball.

Steepness is your best option to get out of most bunker lie predicaments. After you create this steepness, your goal is for the club to enter the sand a few inches behind the ball. That’s critical.

Your follow-through? Not so much — you don’t need to do too much with your swing after the ball gets airborne. Open the clubface at address to match how much green you’ve got to work with. Less green, more loft.

It’s as simple as that.

Parker McLachlin is a GOLF Teacher to Watch and short-game expert. Learn more from McLachlin at shortgamechef.com.