When it comes to getting out of greenside bunkers every time, there are some basic fundamentals you need to follow.
To be successful greenside, you need to know how to use the sand wedge properly. This means gripping the sand wedge with an open clubface. This engages the bounce of the club (note how the back of the sole is lower than the leading edge), so the leading edge will not dig into the sand.
This open clubface will slide through the sand and use the sand to propel the ball up and out.
As you are hitting the greenside bunker shot with an open face, the ball will come out to the right. Therefore, you need to aim the correct amount to the left of the target to get the ball starting on line.
Now you are ready to execute an aggressive swing to blast the ball out of the bunker.
Many shots do not get out of the sand because the swing is either too short or the clubhead is not accelerating through the sand.
Remember these three guidelines:
Make a controlled three-quarter backswing.
Make an accelerating and aggressive downswing.
Hit the sand approximately five centimetres behind the ball
and allow the sand to explode the ball up and out.
Keep the clubface open into the follow-through side of the swing.
As you can see with Rory McIlroy
(pic 1), Alexander Noren (pic 2) and Lee Westwood (pic 3), they all keep the clubface open into the follow-through. This is the most important aspect to remember to get out of a greenside bunker. If the face closes at impact, the sole of the club will dig into the sand losing all acceleration and clubhead speed and you will leave the ball in the bunker.
To keep the face open, practise bunker shots by feeling like your right palm (for right-handers) faces the sky into the follow-through. If you do this, you should be able to see the grooves on the face of your wedge when you reach your finish position.
