unpalyable lie

Question
Skip.
This may be a hard question (or maybe not)
At our course we have new bunkers where the lips are about 2 feet above the sand (very difficult)my question is two parts.  can you declare an unplayable lie if you are right under the lip with NO shot out? and if so, can you take a drop OUT of the bunker, or do you have to drop IN the bunker?
Thank You

Answer
Dear Kyle, thanks for the question.  Under USGA Rule 28, a player is the sole judge for an unplayable ball and can deem his ball unplayable anywhere on the course, (except in a water hazard) under the penalty of one stroke.  If the ball is considered in the bunker, then the relief must stay in the bunker as well.  Your choices are:
(a) Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or(b) Drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind that point the ball may be dropped; or (c) Drop a ball within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole. If the unplayable ball is in a bunker, the player may proceed under Clause a, b or c. If he elects to proceed under Clause b or c, a ball must be dropped in the bunker.
And finally Kyle, you may clean the ball when proceeding under this Rule.

Thanks again for asking, good luck and remember...

Love the game,
skipper