greenside bunker technique

Question
I've been having a reasonable amount of success with greenside bunker shots but want a little higher shot.

There seems to be two different methods of doing a bunker shot but the starting position is the same - ball just inside the left heel with the clubface pointed at the target and open stance.

What I've been doing with a reasonable amount of success is taking the club back and through along the foot line. I get on the green. I see a few golf instruction photos that show this way of doing it.

A guy walks up to me yesterday and draws a triangle in the sand. I noticed he was taking the club back along the target line and popping the ball up real high. I tried it and it worked for awhile but it felt odd taking an extreme inside to out motion on the downswing.  I also saw an instruction photo where they take it back along the target line and follow through on the foot line (it shows drawing the triangle also).

This seems like one method for someone that uses a 2 plane swing and another for someone that uses a rotational swing.

Answer
Hi Lou:

Your target line is the key.  Swing along the target line.  When you're in the sand practicing the next time, draw a line in the sand from the ball towards the target and from the ball away from the target.  That is your target line.  Set up to the ball, open the clubface, yes it will be pointing to the right of the target, open your stance slightly (toe line) and swing.  Make sure to swing along the target line.  If you want more height, lower your hands at address.  Clubface must be open.  Do not open your stance too much to the left.  Remember, the ball will come out in the direction the sand is displaced, so make sure the face is open, then just swing along your target line.....why?  Because you want the ball to go there.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member