Tip 1:
Hitting the correct impact point is absolutely essential whenever you're playing from the sand. An excellent way to approach this shot is to visualize your ball sitting on a tee. By focusing on hitting the tee you'll chip the ball out of the bunker and find yourself exactly where you need to be.
Tip 2:
Use cupping to lift the ball out of the bunker. What you want to accomplish is lifting as little sand as possible without contacting your ball. When you contact the sand you should cup your left wrist. "Cupping the wrist" is a phrase used to describe the supination of the left wrist (for a right-handed golfer) at the top of the backswing.
Tip 3:
Draw a line in the sand approximately three inches behind the ball. Hit that line when you take your swing. This will help you avoid a very common mistake; hitting the sand too far behind your ball.
Tip 4:
Compare the lay of the land to the lie of the ball to assess whether to use an explosive chip shot.
Sand trap shots can actually be quite easy. You don't always have to have an explosive swing when you're trying to escape the bunker. You can play your way out with a very natural stroke.
First, examine the lay of the land and the lie of the ball. When you find that the bank of the trap is low and you have some putting area between the trap and the hole you'll improve your control by hitting the ball with the club head directly. Allow for some roll.
Tip 5:
One of the keys to controlling the trap is to follow through whenever you swing. It's natural to stab at the ball. This will generally cause your club to stop abruptly. The wetter the sand the harder the stop. If you follow through you'll find that 9 times out of 10 you will exit the trap!
As with all techniques you will need to practice. Instead of avoiding the bunker, take time to place your ball in the bunker and practice these tips. Always keep in mind the etiquette of the course. Step aside and encourage other players to play through so you don't hold them up.