Bunkers. The Baked Out Kind

[DrvFrShow]

1) The practice bunkers at the driving range are full of sand. I can get out. NP. 

2) The bunkers on the course are very inconsistent. We've had some hot weather. Combined with water pump issues they got baked out. Well, most of them did. Most have a light dusting of sand over hardpan that you can't even dig your feet into. Just letting you know the conditions. And with the heat wave this week they'll be worse next week.

I have a low bounce 58/8 C-grind. My next wedge is a 54/10 S-grind. I have learned not to attempt a splash shot out of this because the club bounces off the hardpan and skulls the ball out, and it skitters across the green usually settling in the rough. I've tried chipping out, but I only get it out about a couple yards and still have a chip onto the green. The bunkers have lips that overhang so you can't putt out of them. 

I don't mind firm bunkers as long as there is give... i.e. I can dig my feet into the ground under the upper layer. But this stuff is ridiculous. 

Any suggestion about how to play these types of bunkers? 

[billchao]

Play it like a pitch or chip from hardpan. Don't do the explosion shot.

[iacas]

Yes, you can chip it out.