The first thing to think about is:
don’t let the bunker cost you more than one shot.
If you get down in two from the bunker well and good.

However the first aim of bunker play is to get the ball out
at the first attempt.

This is of course about scoring.

If you hit your second shot into a bunker, consider it a shot dropped.

So you will make a five.
Not too bad, depending on your
handicap of course.

If you are a low handicapper, you will probably
get down in two won’t you?
However, I am talking mainly to the
higher handicappers for a moment..

So, you do all you can to get out of the bunker. No “clever” shots
until you have practised these and are sure you can pull them off
nearly every time.

So, you do not heed this advice.

You try a “clever” shot and what do you know,
you are still in the bunker.
Now you are there for three. Frustration!

Getting onto the putting surface first shot means, hopefully, 2
puts. So you score a five.
You could have hit your second shot short of the green, failed to
chip to the hole and taken two put anyway.

So, you can think of a bunker shot as equalling a short chip if you like.
One that does not finish near the hole.

This may help your mental game where a
bunker has reared its ugly head.

The same goes for fairway bunkers too, a long way from the green.
Make sure you GET OUT. Then carry on. Only one shot lost. At the
most.