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I have never been over confident in a bunker, but just recently gone from poor to can't get out. Played a round on Friday went in four bunkers and never got out of one first time. Obviously this has dented confidence so now a lot of the problem psychological. Anyone any ideas for an easy way out
All above relates to greenside bunkers.
MM

I would have to say go to a local driving range which has a bunker and practice practice practice also remeber to do the same thing you had been doing before this problem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbkTmZfeh8M

maybe that can give u some tips

i just spend a hr at the range in there trying all types of bunker shots , normal,plugged,deep plugged... just practice

i watched the bunker shot tip in the video recommended by Iskandar and it is helpful to some extent.I used to make bunker shots fairly easily..at least getting out on the first try...but have gone backward lately and find myself hitting the ball before the sand in too many instances. I assume i am not keeping my head down as one problem,but have really become confused on the most effective swing plane for a bunker shot. I play two courses regularly..one has good fluffy sand..the other which i play more often, has more like mud than sand. I usually try to use a much more vertical swing in the mud like sand ,and a flatter backswing in the real sand. I dont know if what i am doing is part of the problem or solution.Im sure most of my problem is in not keeping my head down,but any thoughts on the appropriate swing plane for greenside bunker shots would be appreciated. Thanks for the help.

In New Zealand we have a program called the ING Golf Club.

Every week there is the "Taylormade Tip". Last week it was bunker play. The tip was a routine to help you get the ball out more efficiently. Around the ball draw an egg shape with the top and bottom of the egg being 2-3 inches away from the ball. The ball serves as the yolk. The aim is to enter the egg at the back, remove the yolk(ball) and exit at the front.

I found this tip to be very helpful because i always had trouble with the amount of sand to take from beneath the ball.

AND REMEMBER, THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS TO GET THE BALL OUT OF THE SAND! FORGET ACCURACY UNTIL YOU HAVE MASTERED THIS!

Try putting out of (greenside) bunkers.

I've seen some people do this w/ some success.

Played the day after it rained and the bunker were so compact that you could really putt out of the bunkers if need be. Biggest thing about getting out of the bunker is weight forward, ball in the middle of the stance, hit an inch behind the ball, and ACCELERATE through the impact zone.

I used to pretend I was throwing the ball onto the green (underhanded) with my right hand. And that was about how hard I would swing the club.

1 - Imagine a dollar bill under the ball. On the downswing hit down and on the outer edge of the bill, trying to make a divot the size of the bill.
Pause on the backswing which sets your plane.
Accelerate through the swing.

... pick a clump of sand 2-3 inches behind the ball and literally and intensely act like the ball is on the clump. If you REALLY concentrate on that clump of sand and ignore the ball, you will hit the clump and everything works. The dollar bill and egg may work for some, but not for me. By focusing on the clump, the ball pops out nicely everytime.

good advice here. i try to remember that a typical bunker shot is the only shot in golf where i don't hit the ball. i try to focus on creating an explosion of sorts right under the ball. to do that, obviously i need to enter the sand behind the ball with an open club face and accelerate through on a somewhat shallow angle. an open stance, knees bent and club face open helps me accomplish that. for me, on a properly struck bunker shot i feel little to no resistance from the sand. just a nice splash. i've caught my share thin or heavy...a lot of it has to do with confidence.

Pick out a spot in the sand about 2 inches behind the ball and instead of looking at the ball just focus on this spot during your swing. This is what I do and my bunker game is pretty good

this willl help you get out most every time although you lose some of the touch. with your stance slightly open and the ball towards your left foot somewhat, two keys that must be followed, first, make sure your head stays reasonalbly still and legs quiet, second, bring the club back slowly, but do not cock your wrists and make sure your arm is straight. you'll only need to bring is back 1/2 to 3/4 back, bring it back thru using yuor body as a turning point. folllow thru. splash the egg as mentioned before.