Usually you want to splash your ball and the sand out of a bunker, but when the ball is buried this will cause a skull, so in this situation you need to use your sand wedge to dig below the ball
When we putt we are looking down at the ball and lose perspective of the actual distance of the putt, so take a mental snapshot of your putt before you look down at the ball to increase your distance control
Be prepared to hit when it is your turn, take one practice swing and read your putt prior to your turn