Gary Player is widely recognized as one of the best bunker players in the world. In his “Playing Lessons from the Pros” (on the Golf Channel), Player gives an interesting tip for playing out of the sand:
When you light a match, you don’t just slowly drag the match along the box. You flick it – fast – kkkkshhhhhhttttt! You do the same thing when you play out of the bunker. Don’t try to slide the club slowly through the sand – it won’t come out! Instead, flick it through the sand, accelerating rapidly. The ball will pop out with lots of spin.
There you have it. Light a match to light up your bunker play.