The first suggestion I'm going to give you is by far the best and that would be to employ the services of a local PGA approved golf pro. The job of a pro is to assist you in finding the best swing for your particular golf game. Unlike the tapes and books you see in infomercials and widely available online, golf pros will actually watch you play and offer advice and guidance that are specific to your personal strengths and weaknesses. Golf pros can offer assistance, especially with the trouble shots such as sand traps and chip shots.

The next series of suggestions that I can make are geared to help those that are either skeptical of the assistance that golf pros can offer, can not afford the services of a golf pro, or simply have no desire to employ the services of a golf pro. That advice for a proper swing when faced with the sand trap is:

1) The goal of golf is to get the ball in the hole in as few shots as possible. With this in mind, it makes sense when stuck in the sand traps, to play smarter rather than harder. The goal is to get out of the trap as quickly as possible. If the best play is to hit the ball backwards on the course make it a very short hit and take the loss once rather than landing yourself in the same trap over the course of several strokes.

2) This may sound like a no brainer, but using the correct club is extremely helpful in getting your ball out of the sand trap. Remember that the sand trap is less than desirable terrain from which to hit a ball, with that being said, using a pitching wedge, sand wedge, or other high lofted club you have the best shot at not only getting your ball out but at having some control over where it goes once this is accomplished.

3) Follow through. Let me say this again; follow through with your shots, even in the sand trap.

4) Open the clubface, by rotating the club head. This increases the loft and increases the chances for a soft landing.

These tips are not foolproof nor are they one size fits all. Golf is a sport that is largely based on fit and feel. If it feels right for you, then it is probably the way to go. I still encourage you to strongly consider employing a pro golfer to assist you in finding what works best. If that is not the course you wish to take or feel you can take at the moment, I hope this helps.