Which is tougher in winter: wet, compacted sand or a muddy greenside lie?

THE GAME DEBATE

Muddy greenside lie says Fergus Bisset

Let's face it, neither shot is appealing. The concrete bunker is a daunting prospect, but I'd rather tackle it than face that most dreaded of greenside scenarios - the soft, muddy lie. Just writing it has me suffering palpitations.

I can picture the scene all too clearly. Having just pulled or pushed a shot towards a green, you walk up with just a hope that your ball may have clung on to the fringe.When there's no sight of it, you pray for it to have found a grassy spot. But it's to no avail - your Titleist has come to rest in a patch that resembles the penalty area of a non-league football pitch after 90 minutes of chopping and hacking. There's no chance of a chip-and-run as the ground between you and the pin is too soft and rough, so it will have to be loft.