Your high, soft approach shot falls a little bit short and into a greenside bunker, giving you that sinking feeling.  As you reach the bunker, your worst fear is realized: The ball is buried.  Don't be dejected.  If anything, you should look at this as a great opportunity - a chance to let out your excess energy and apply some strong power to the ball.  Especially if it's buried deep.  Most amateurs need to focus on getting the ball out of the bunker.  Period.  Finding the green should be secondary.  The following "slam 'n jam" method will help you escape this lie:

• Move the ball back of center in your stance, and place more weight on your front foot.

• Let your arms hang freely.  Stand a little closer to the ball than usual to promote a strong, steep, downward blow into the sand.

• Using a pitching or sand wedge, turn the clubface so it's closed to the target (see photo) to help it dig down and through the sand.

• Slam the club head down into the sand, just behind the ball, with  little or no follow-through.  Keep your weight ahead of the ball at impact, or else you'll have to plow through too much sand.  You'll have given the shot a good "slam 'n jam" if you can lift your foot off the ground without falling over after the shot.