Part 2:

When I land in a green-side sandtrap I always give myself about four or five consistent practice golf swings.  I then try to imagine where the ball is going to land before trying to hit the shot. One of the green-side sandtrap secrets I have learned teaches players to hit down about 2 inches behind the ball then swing through more than twice that length underneath the sand before exiting your swing.

In a bunker next to the green, I'd use a sand wedge and try to hit the sand under the ball to slide the club head below the ball and thus impact the ball to move. If the ball lie is buried in the bunker then really strike up and down to the sand just behind the ball to send the ball up.  This is slightly counter-intuitive swing technique for the average beginner.

Friends who have tried to help me improve my technique have taught me to use a sand wedge or higher angled club to hit the sand one or two inches behind the golf ball with an open stance and most importantly, an open club face.

This is done to get the club head to scoop the ball out of the sand and create a muted momentum (due to sand buffer) on the follow through.  If done correctly the ball will pop up into the air toward your target.

If the sand wedges club face is closed or even flat then it will reduce the bounce inherent in the club design.  What's worse is that it will tend to dig into the sand and stop your swing cold.  This makes it impossible to hit a decent shot or learn to hit a consistent shot even with proper technique.

Another sandtrap secret is to get really good footing.  I usually set my feet deeply into the sand to prevent slipping. Slipping automatically reduces consistency and is to be avoided. Practice swings are a must but we are not allowed to disturb the sand, whether it is soft or hard, as this would lead to a penalty stroke.

As stated earlier, the club face should be opened 10 to 20 degrees to enhance the bounce of the sand wedge as it makes contact with the sand then ball. This is HUGELY important.

When I make a full swing back I should end with my hands straight up over my shoulders in order to come straight down behind the ball. Remember to hit the sand with the sand wedge rather than the ball and also make a full swing through the impact. 

The ball should "pop" up softly and go less than 50 percent as far as the same shot with full ball contact without sand buffer.  So assume that if your normal swing would make a normal golf shot go 40 - 50 yards, then in a properly hit sand-trap shot it will make the ball go only 20 to 25 yards.

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